KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Darran Jasper wanted to speak out after days of protesting and rioting in Kansas City following George Floyd's murder.
He's an entrepreneur and part-owner of Elevate Bar & Grill off 78th Street and State Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas.
"It's always from within where we start," Jasper said.
He said he sees his vision clearly.
"I don't believe black America has started from within. And that 'within' starts with building companies, building and creating more black and Latino owners," Jasper said.
Jasper said minorities have been protesting police brutality for decades with little improvement, and that's why he wants to spark a movement of minority-owned businesses.
"An employee has not much power at all, but words coming from an owner can move senators or congressmen or house representatives," Jasper said. "So we need more people in better positions to get our points across."
The Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce is a resource for hopeful entrepreneurs or anyone else who wants to know where to find black-owned businesses.
"Standing in solidarity is one thing, but actually bringing an impact to a community means you will bring dollars to the community, that you will invest in the community," President of the Black Chamber Kim Randolph said.
Randolph said she notices that very few non-minorities patronize black businesses, but yet black people patronize other communities all the time.
"If we start really impacting one another's communities, not in the sense of 'We're going to go march together and stand together,' but really look at, 'Hey I'm going to buy candles on Prospect.' Or, 'I'm going to go to the boutique at Linwood and Prospect,'" Randolph said.
Jasper said he believes looking at ways to invest will build a better community for the future.
"There are positive things we can be doing right now that will uplift us so that we're in a better position the next time another episode happens," Jasper said.
The Buy Black Empowerment Initiative and Kansas City Black Business other resources that can help people support black-owned businesses or start their own.
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