Seko Varner recently officially announced the launch of The Hamptons Roads Greenbook, a website and mobile app that highlights local Black-owned businesses.
Available for free download on both Android and Apple devices, the app mimics the historic Green Book; published for the first time in 1936, the Green Book was the creation of Harlem-based postal carrier Victor Hugo Green and his wife Alma Green. The couple offered an essential list of businesses and services that did not discriminate for travelers on the road.
With the launch of the new platform, The Hamptons Roads Greenbook draws on its foundation, offering a comprehensive list of BIPOC-owned, women-owned and veteran-owned businesses to support.
“The problems resulting from generations of legal discrimination must be addressed and rectified by the community and its descendants who suffered discrimination. A lot of the healing is up to us,” said Varner per a statement. “After years of contemplation and technical support from the late Bruce Williams and members of the Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men, we are excited to address the problem of resource circulation through this platform.”
Through the app, the Hampton Roads Greenbook is also working to strengthen the economy amongst Black-owned businesses.
Previous research has found that, while owning a business reduces the wealth gap to 3 to 1, Black business owners are often burdened with less access to capital. Per the Federal Reserve Bank Of New York, only 13% of Black-owned businesses receive the full share of what they ask for in funds from banks. In comparison, 40% of white-owned businesses reported that they received full shares of their companies.
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♬ Black Diamond – Grandpa Crunk
Despite the disparities in support from banks, Black-owned businesses have reportedly increased at “the fastest pace” in the past 30 years. Currently, according to the NAACP, Black-owned businesses are major contributors to the economy, contributing to $141.1 billion in annual receipts and $42.2 billion in annual payroll. Along with contributing to the economy, these businesses employ over 1.3 million people.
Despite the effect that Black-owned businesses have on Black communities and employment overall, they often receive a lack of support.
“Data from the U.S. Small Business Administration indicates that Black businesses experienced greater losses than any other demographic group during the pandemic,” said the NAACP. “Although there has been a surge in post-pandemic growth, Black businesses still operate within structural disadvantages not experienced by their white counterparts.”
