(ThyBlackMan.com) Successful entrepreneurs are well rewarded for seeing a need and fulfilling it for a wide slice of society. However, there are still many who don’t benefit from the free-market philosophy that leads to prosperity. This is what happens in the black community a lot of the times. Charity is usually given without the expectation of return, but when companies, big and small or black owned, give back to the community, it not only benefits the black community; it also benefits their business as well. For example, the company will build respect and a good reputation from the community as well as from its own employees and make the community a better place to live. For example, entrepreneurs such as Warren Stephens and wife Harriet Stephens are benefactors to several organizations. On the music tip, Jay-Z and Beyonce have donated millions, most recently 1.5 million to the Black Lives Matter group. Here are 10 ways successful entrepreneurs can give back:
1. Donating money to a local charity may be the first thing people think of when they want to help. While this is a good idea, it’s not the only way to improve the community. Black Entrepreneurs should research local charities and choose one that harmonizes with their own goals. Starting a business is exciting, and this enthusiasm can also be extended to a nonprofit that has compatible goals. 
2. Promoting Black local business supports the local community. You can buy local if applicable and put links on your website to local companies. When you do that, black local businesses will put links to your company to create cross networking, which helps everyone involved.
3. Participating in local food drives in impoverished neighborhoods that often happen during the holiday season may help a huge segment of the community. You can ask employees to bring unopened canned or boxed foods that are donated to the local food bank. Your employees can also offer time to help distribute the food before Thanksgiving or Christmas.
4. Sponsoring a local event is a great help to the community. It may be a seasonal exhibition, a marathon or something else. Communities often hold these events to raise money for a good cause. Your employees can wear T-shirts with your logo, and you can even offer free T-shirts with your logo to other sponsors. Some of the most common events that could benefit from the sponsorship of a small business are school sports, recycling initiatives, art exhibitions and other competitions.
5. Supporting a local sports team is a great way to support the community and make many kids happy. If an employee has a child on a team, you may want to buy the team uniforms or equipment. This gives your business good publicity without much time spent. It also works for local or school bands.
6. Building houses for disadvantaged local residents by organizations such as Habitat for Humanity has a positive impact on the community. Most projects are done on the weekend, which is convenient for employees who offer time and energy away from work. Your business can also offer donations and special skills whether it is plumbing, electrical or just painting walls.
7. Offering classes or workshops in neighborhoods that need it the most to local people to help them improve their skills. This has been very successful for teaching computer skills to people who either do not have a computer or don’t know how to get the best use of one. Classes could be for the elderly or for students who need extra help in school. This type of giving back is very rewarding for the employee who participates because they can immediately see the benefit of their efforts when their students succeed.
8. Encouraging employee volunteerism will put your business in many areas of the community. You can offer them paid time-off for volunteering in community efforts. You may have a specific amount each month that you expect your employees to work in the community. This not only boosts the morale of your employees, but it increases your businesses community involvement.
9. Investing in the future through our black children is one of the most popular ways entrepreneurs give back that doesn’t require monetary resources from their fledgling business. Working with Big Brothers Big Sisters has a genuine positive impact on the community as well as tremendous personal satisfaction for the volunteer.
10. Partnering with another startup that is aligned with your mission is a good way to maximize your efforts. For example, a landscaping company may collaborate with a nonprofit that plants trees in deforested areas. A gaming company may partner with a nonprofit that collects and distributes toys and games to disadvantaged children during the holidays. A famous shoe company donates over 60 million pairs of shoes to children all over the world.
These are just a few suggestions for giving back to our community and you may find many more in your own community. Our fellow black consumers are well aware of the role businesses play in their locality as well as the larger picture. The support of your local community is vital for the success of your business. When you give back to the people who made you a success and were there before your success, it’s a win/win situation. The community benefits from your involvement and your bottom line as well as company morale benefit from being part of the solution for a better world.
Music Editor; Brad Washington
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