According to federal statistics, there are more than 2 million Black-owned businesses in the country, but many are struggling to stay afloat. Many generate revenues of less than $100,000 a year, and have few employees. So what's the plan for 2016?
Here are 6 Black-owned marketing, public relations, and diversity recruitment companies that can help:
#1 - The Front Page Firm: This firm, launched by PR executive Tosha Whitten Griggs (best known for her work with BET), is a full service publicity boutique specializing in executive and talent visibility; television and film campaigns; red carpet premieres; and special events. They are known for being the go-to publicists for mainstream/urban media cross-over campaigns. Their clients include Bounce TV, the Queen Latifah Show, the Oprah Winfrey Network, and Spelman College.
#2 - Foote Communications: This firm, launched by marketing and PR veteran Neil Foote (best known for his work with the Tom Joyner Morning Show), combines traditional public relations and content management and social media for entertainers, entrepreneurs, corporations and educational institutions. His services include public relations, graphics & design, social media strategies, web site management, and more. Their clients include the Tom Joyner Morning Show, the African American Museum of Dallas, Rickey Smiley, and J. Anthony Brown.
#3 - BlackPR.com: This company, launched by marketing guru Dante Lee, offers an extensive press release distribution service to all the African American newspapers, magazines, TV and radio stations. For just $150, they can help you get your story in some of the country's top Black publications, and they can even help you get radio and TV interviews. Their clients include the NAACP, the Tom Joyner Foundation, Tavis Smiley, Iyanla Vanzant, TV One, and BET.
#4 - HBCU Connect: Looking to hire African American college students and graduate? This company, launched by social media pioneer Will Moss, can help you do that for as little as $249. Their online career center offers various options including posting simple job listings to options for banner ad packages and employer showcase listings. Their clients include Microsoft, FedEx, United Negro College Fund, Merck, and many Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCUs).
#5 - PR, Etcetera: This company, launched by African American PR veteran Toni Beckham, offers several professional marketing communication services including branding, crisis communications, public relations, media training, and even technical writing/proofing. Their clients include the Bay Area Black Expo, Rainbow/PUSH Silicon Valley Project, the City of Oakland, and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.
#6 - TaylorMade Media: This company, launched by PR expert, media coach and best-selling author Karen Taylor Bass, creates strategic public relations, branding, and marketing campaigns for corporations, luxury brands, celebrities, athletes, and entrepreneurs. Karen has been featured on Dr. Oz, CNN, BET, NBC Today, Fox-TV, and in Essence Magazine.
BONUS - FraserNet: Founded by entrepreneur/ visionary George C. Fraser, this global networking movement holds annual PowerNetworking conferences where thousands of Black professionals, business owners, and community leaders gather to learn the art and science of networking, entrepreneurship and wealth creation.