What Happened to Neighborhood Stores

Between 1950 and 1980, the corner shops sold groceries, did dry cleaning, was barber & beauty salons, laundromats and restaurants. Someone in the neighborhood worked on houses, fixed cars, planned weddings, and sold fish dinners. The children sold cookies, lemonade, newspapers, did shoe shines, etc. All of these things kept the money within our community and prepared the next generation to do the same. What happened? Well here are some thoughts: it was easier for someone else to do it, we lost belief in the ability to do for ourselves, and we lost our opportunities when they were staring us straight in the face.

We have been complaining for some time now about store owners disrespecting us in our own communities and being displaced when there is urban renewal. But, this does not have to continue. Consider trying just a few things to reclaim those corner stores:

• Start a side business or just take that existing hussle and grow it. Who knows, your sales may require you to go into a store front or office.
• If you stay home-based, make sure you are taking advantage of those additional tax deductions.
• No business ideas? Consider a multi-level marketing way to start. There are so many options now
• Take advantage of the FREE business training offered by the government and non-profits. I have used these services for many years. Find your local Small Business Development Center- as a start.
• Have your children be creative and earn the spending money for things they want. Instead of buying them that designer jacket, tennis shoe or electronic gadget, they can buy it themselves and develop some business skills at the same time. Need some ideas, look up the local Kidpreneur program or get your local business community to start one.
• Buy your house instead of renting. The market has slowed down, what a perfect time to see if you can own something for the same amount as your rent payment.
  Let's maintain our strength in the community. Communities must recycle. Put off gentrification, as much as possible.
• Buy the building that you currently run your business out of. No-one can displace you, in fact, if you or your business needs a break, you can rent to someone else. I am moving to Philly shortly from DC and am surprised at the opportunities to purchase there.

I say, reclaim those corner stores! What do you think?

Was there a book under the tree? Knowledge is Power

If you've shared a book with a child, you know the joy and excitement this small but meaningful act can bring. Did you keep that in mind when selecting your Holiday gifts? If not, start the new year out right, buy a book, visit a library, or share one from your bookshelves with a child. Children who are read to at home have a higher success rate in school, Children who read frequently develop stronger reading skills, Reading together helps grow the bond between family members.

According to the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statisstics, the Black community is still lagging behing when it comes to reading: White, non-Hispanic students had higher scores in 2005 than their Black, non-Hispanic and Hispanic peers at grades 4, 8, and 12. There were no changes in these gaps from 1992 to 2005 at grades 4, 8, and 12. This has got to change.

Our ancestors built pyramids and invented almost everything. Perhaps it was easier to excel then because positive role models were everywhere and excellence was not only a necessity, it was expected. We can duplicate that environment today. Read, read, read!

The local black press has loads of information on positive contributions in the community. Sit down and read the papers with your child. In addition, there are now thousands of exciting multicultural children's books and history books to choose from. Although Black brick and mortar book stores are becoming extinct, bookstores online and offline are still the source for your broadest selections. There is bound to be some that your child would love and will also interest and inform you. Read, read, read!