Kankakee Times

State Representative Jackie Haas acknowledged Black Business Month this week, urging support for Black-owned businesses. "Be sure to honor this month by supporting one of your favorite Black-owned businesses," she stated in an August 2 Facebook post.

"Happy Black Business Month," said Haas, according to Facebook. "This month, we celebrate the innovation and excellence of Black-owned businesses across Illinois. Be sure to honor this month by supporting one of your favorite Black-owned businesses."

According to Black Enterprise, National Black Business Month began in 2004, initiated by Frederick E. Jordan, an engineer, and John William Templeton, the president and executive editor of eAccess Corp. They aimed to "drive the policy agenda affecting the 2.6 million African American businesses" and to highlight and empower Black business owners.

Screenshot of Rep. Jackie Haas' Aug. 2 Facebook post | State Representative Jackie Haas Facebook page

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is organizing various webinars and events focused on Black-owned businesses throughout the month. The webinars start on August 7 and occur weekly through August 21. Topics include "Online with OMEE-Overview of Financial Resources for Small Business" on August 7, "IL Small Business Administration IL District Office- National Black Business Month Capability Statement" on August 15, and "Empowering Excellence: Proudly Celebrating National Black Business Month in Illinois" on August 21. DCEO is also leading a "Shop Black Saturdays" campaign, encouraging Illinois residents to support local Black-owned businesses.

For those looking to support Black-owned businesses this month, Enjoy Illinois offers a listing of such businesses around the state. This includes The Irie Cup in Huntley, owned by Joseph and LaShanda Lewis; Einnim Candle Bar & Apothecary in Oak Park, owned by Elita Seimon; and Noir d’Ebene Chocolat et Patisserie in Evanston, owned by Journey Shannon.

Representative Haas was elected to represent Illinois’ 79th House District in December 2020. She is CEO of the Helen Wheeler Center for Community Health and has previously worked as a social worker at Riverside Medical Center. Haas holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Valparaiso University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Illinois-Chicago.