Black Affairs Advisory Board battles shutdown impact

 

The Miami-Dade County Black Affairs Advisory Board has revived its “I Support B.O.B.” Cash Mob Takeout campaign.

After being in hiatus for a few years, the black-owned businesses support campaign is back to help small minority-owned establishments in urban targeting areas that are struggling and at risk of shutting down permanently due to challenging times of the coronavirus pandemic.

“I personally spoke with owners and managers to make sure they were open for take-out or delivery and did our best to promote and direct people to these businesses,” said Retha Boone-Fye, the advisory board’s program director. 

While reaching out to restaurants, Ms. Boone-Fye learned that some restaurants had no choice but to let some of their employees go and were at the verge of turning off their lights for good. “Some of these restaurants don’t necessarily have an advertising and marketing budget. This is our way of making sure to uplift and make these businesses more valuable,” she said. “We don’t want to do this with only black-owned restaurants, but black-owned local businesses, period.”

The promotional campaign kicked off March 27 with just four participating restaurants, Ms. Boone-Fye said. After the initial week, restaurants responded with positive feedback and acknowledged a great increase in customer traffic. The advisory board decided to expand and continue the campaign, she said. 

With assistance from the Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust and other local community organizations, the Black affairs advisory board composed “Black World Guide,” a list of professional, cultural and business organizations comprised of the African diaspora in Miami-Dade. 

“We are currently updating our list and working on the new version of the Black World Guide,” said Ms. Boone-Fye. The book is currently available on the board’s website. 

Stephen Hunter Johnson, chair of Black Affairs Advisory Board, said the pandemic has devasted small businesses run by “moms and pops” and the board is going to do everything it can to assist during this rough time in the free market. “When America catches a cold, Black businesses catch pneumonia,” he said.

More than ever, these businesses need the support to stay afloat and encourages the diverse community of Miami-Dade to back up the campaign in this time of need, Mr. Johnson said.

“Miami-Dade County Black-owned restaurants are the best kept secret in town, which is a compliment, but we need to get that secret out,” he said. “They offer the best prices, curb side pickups and even delivery.”

Participating restaurants include:

Shuckin’ And Jivin’, 4759 NW 167th St., Miami Gardens (305) 974-4751.

Iseefood, 16194 NW 27th Ave., Miami Gardens (305) 454-0403. 

World Famous Rib Shack & Seafood, 7506 NW 17th Ave., Model City (786) 558-1068.

Lorna’s Restaurant & Caribbean Grille, 19752 NW 27th Ave., Miami Gardens (305) 623-9760.

MLK Restaurant, 5931 NW 17th Ave., Liberty City (305) 693-0303.

Lil’ Greenhouse Grill, 1300 NW Third Ave., Overtown (786) 277-3582.

House of Wings, 1039 NW Third Ave., Overtown (305) 371-6556. 

iKrave, 4799 NW Seventh Ave., Miami (786) 747-4161.

Jackson’s Soul Food, 950 NW Third Ave., Miami (305) 374-7661.

Details: https://bit.ly/2RxKKw3.