kwtx.com

The first observance of Texas Black Business Week got underway Monday, coinciding with Black History Month, and its creator hopes the event becomes just as widespread by offering minority business owners a chance in the spotlight. “This is the beginning of what is to come in the state of Texas,” says Ronnie Russell. He is the creator of Texas Black Pages, an online database of black-owned businesses. Russell came to realize that the same businesses on his site were often lacking connections and resources that help other mainstream companies thrive. He decided to put together Texas Black Business Week to help educate and empower all entrepreneurs in need of exposure. The week features a series of free workshops and seminars on topics like funding and marketing and taking advantage of resources like Texas’s Historically Underutilized Business Program. The mayors of Killeen, Nolanville, and Austin are in support of the event.