NBBTA is heading a campaign to help make the world more aware of the significance of Black business ownership. According to the association, more attention needs to be paid to the impact Black entrepreneurship has on every aspect of mainstream society.

Black America is only 12-13% of the population yet it influences 90% - 100% of mainstream American culture. From music to movies, literature to language; fashion to finance, Black America has a predominant influence. No other "minority group" in this country has a more influential position, yet Black's are enjoying a less than equitable portion of the benefits of such a position.

NBBTA believes entrepreneurship and equity participation are the keys to economic empowerment for Black America.

Look at the trend. Hip-Hop stars have moved up into fashion, restaurants, nightclubs, beverages and other enterprises. Former sports players are leaders in the steel industry and athletic sportswear and sport franchises. They own coffee shops, movie theaters, eateries and auto part plants. They used what they had to leverage themselves to other ventures. They are going from the streets to the suites.

According to Association experts, media focuses too much attention on just the musical or athletic aspect of Black talent. The real gift is that some of these "playas" are entrepreneurs. NBBTA believes that we need to study and emulate that positive behavior pattern. Entrepreneurs are our "real heroes" and more of us can become one, than be seen on BET or play for the NBA or NFL.

Keep in mind too, that these "stars" success is due in part to initial support they received from the Black community. By leveraging their popularity in music and sports many were able to open new doors of opportunity and increase their wealth.

Black entrepreneurs everywhere are now recognizing what so many others have recognized for years ... that there's lot's of money available to support any entrepreneurial ideas.

Where is it?... you ask?

The money is within the Black community. According to Lee Green, Chairman of the National Black Business Trade Association (NBBTA), "African Americans have over 700 billion dollars available to spend as they please. The most they spend with Black business is only 6-7%. That is a major problem". He goes on to say, "that means 93%-94% of the money that Black people earn (income) is being spent with someone else (outgo). Some other ethnic (self-interest) group, that doesn't necessarily look like me, but more importantly see their community's advancement as more important then mine."

"We have a problem. There's a leak in the boat. No wonder we have so much negative stuff going on around us. How can anyone make it off of 6 cents on the dollar. Every time a dollar is made in the Black community only 6 -7 cents stays...... They give you One Dollar ... you give them BACK .93 cents, then try to live on the rest."

NBBTA has developed a workable solution to help resolve the problem

NBBTA is seeking to recycle those "Black" dollars. Their belief is that the benefit will be better schools, better homes, higher paying jobs for those seeking employment, smarter children, better vacations, nicer cars, larger savings accounts, substantial investments, greater retirement options, better health, longer life, more political clout, greater worldwide respect, meaningful relationships, etc. This is not a new concept. It is one that has been in existence for many years starting with Marcus Garvey in the 1920's and which continued into the 1960's with Elijah Muhammad.

The idea is to help get more of those dollars spent with Black businesses and entrepreneurs within the communities BEFORE any of that money has to leave.

Dwight McKee, NBBTA director says, "other ethnic groups spend money with THEMSELVES between 3 - 4 times before their dollars leave their community. Black people only 1/2 a time. There's something wrong with that picture. Let's do something simple about it and build up from there. It doesn't have to be complicated to get started. Just do it!"

HERE'S THE CONCEPT:

Do you need MONEY? For your business, child's education, retirement, a new home, medical expenses, etc,? Do you want to help with our cause?

Let the National Black Business Trade Association (NBBTA) be your business partner and put some money back into your pocket in exchange for helping us increase awareness of Black businesses.

Go to http://www.nbbta.org/rand.htm .

NBBTA started in September, 1993 and its aim is to build the largest and most influential Black business organization ever established on the face of the earth.

How are they going to do that? By networking, designing systems and strategies, enhancing their relationships, organizing capital, redirecting their focus, attention and intention to things that will provoke business owners and entrepreneurs worldwide to action. And providing them with the tools they need to realize their full potential. This in turn will give them the ability to compete for increased client base and market share and open up new business opportunities.

In addition, for those who are not so entrepreneurial minded yet, they are promoting their "Shop with Purpose" campaign to raise funds and to save people money on things that they are going to buy anyway. So why pay full price?

The "Black Business Awareness Drive" and this campaign will go a long way in making people aware of the importance of buying from Black businesses and encourage business owners to join NBBTA.

According to the US Small Business Administration (SBA), there are over 945,000 Black businesses in the United States. We know that thousands of these Black business owners and entrepreneurs would benefit by joining us. We have only reached 5% of the market. NBBTA's goal is to be able to reach 15%-20% or more, but we need your help.

Green states, "we could spend lots of money advertising our program, but as we all know, the best form of advertising is word-of-mouth. Your helping us spread the word will make our job easier in continuing to negotiate affordable benefits that will attract even more new members. As the membership grows we will be using major media to promote the ideals of Entrepreneurship and Business Ownership."

As each new member gets involved, they will also be motivated to tell others to join us as well. This is a simple way to "recycle Black dollars".

NBBTA has developed its "Re-Affirmative Action Plan" (R.E.A.P.) to pay out a total of $20 to those members interested in helping us build this organization. They will earn income in the process that can go a long way towards funding their personal goals and dreams.

NBBTA assures us that they make no guarantees of earnings, but that their marketing plan was designed to make it possible for even the busiest entrepreneur to earn a sizable extra income each month with very little effort. And its not limited to just Black people. Actually, anyone interested in supporting or promoting Black economic development is invited to participate.

African Americans are at least 12% of the US population, but account for only 2% of all business receipts.

McKee noted, "It has been said that there is strength in numbers. So, if our businesses are going to survive and grow we are going to have to work at better organizing ourselves ... just like every other "self-interest" group in America has had to learn to organize themselves. No one is going to do that for us. We must organize ourselves."

Green agreed, "In fact, until the Black business community in this country is more representative of our total population (at least 12%), not much for our people will change. We can help provide solutions to most major problems with more money."

Suggesting to others that they "Shop with Purpose" and join the "Black Business Awareness Drive", is a beginning, but will go a long way toward helping to reverse a negative trend.

Green concludes, "think about it. You probably come into contact with other Black business owners, entrepreneurs and those with an interest in business practically every day online ... at work, in stores, at social or networking events and even at church.

Simply share our benefits and funding concept with them and have them join. You will be helping them, helping us, helping many in the Black community and helping yourself. Our program will not conflict with their or your current business opportunity ... it will only enhance it. This is a comprehensive economic development plan."

To learn more, go to http://www.nbbta.org/rand.htm