Simpler Way of Life

I want to share with you some ideas that my fiancee and I have discussed over the past year. One of the things I said was that living on earth is free

Buying Black Has its Benefits (BBB)

I just read the Ebony Experiment webpage about an African-American professional couple in the Chicagoland area who have pledged to buy only from Black-owned businesses beginning January 1, 2009 throughout the entire year.

Interestingly, as I renovate a recent investment property, I have done the same thing. So far, all of the people I have worked with have been Black and somehow affiliated with my church too.

• My real estate agent, Betty Clayton, is Black.
• My real estate attorney, Lynette Lewis, was Black.
• Ted Billings, who installed my wrought iron fence was Black.
• My current contractor, Tony Carter, is Black.
• My home insurance is from, Charles Cathey, Jr., a Black franchisee of State Farm Insurance.

They all either attend my church are affiliated with them and although, I have had my issues with them, like any other service contractor, I would not do it differently.

Why? I trust them. Since they all know me and are affiliated with me in some way, they will look out for me. It turns out that that my fiancee, who knows everyone in Chicago, was good friends with Ted Billing's son. I found out about him from a neighbor and he did good work for me.

I could have gone with a Mexican contractor for the fence work but it turned out that after viewing both guy's work, I liked Billing's work better and he had 17 years experience. He helped me think through some logistical issues.

Understand that I also thought about the fact that MY MONEY, large amount of cash was going to one group and here was an opportunity where I could choose where it would go. It could go to the Mexican family or the Black family and I chose to send it to the Black family. It was truly conscious.

With my contractor, I was torn between a Polish contractor and a Black contractor who attends my church. I am happy that I picked who I picked although we got into some arguments a few times. At critical points, I realize that he was looking out for me. He is my choir director at church and also has a radio show on 106.3FM every Sunday. He has had to do some additional critical work that I appreciate and I like that my money is going to support his three children who also attend my church. It feels good.

My real estate agent is the same way. She tends to use Black services too.

Unfortunately, I did not use a Black bank to finance this deal. In retrospect, I should have searched one out and in the next deal, I think I will do exactly that because this is not my last real estate venture.

I like using Black businesses because I have seen that they actually do know what they are doing when given a chance. Their business may not be the most organized, but their work reflects expertise. But more importantly, I can talk frankly and casually with them and work with them better.

Not all Black businesses are scrupulous as my fiancee found out, but neither are all businesses from many other ethnic groups. American is already a witness to the finance crimes of Bernard Madoff who swindled billions of dollars from over 150 people. We have watched our government give $700 billion dollars to the banks that have caused our financial crisis which I mentioned in a previous post.

But I digress. The point is that the least we can do is take a chance on our own people who really overall want to please and contribute to their community than work with strangers who don't care what happens to you nor will ever put money back into the Black community.