Black Fridays
Financial Services - Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States
Black Fridays Employees
Black Fridays Details
Black Fridays was founded by Kanika Wellington-Jones and her vision was brought to fruition when she introduced the idea to Keelah Jackson, Kim Hurley, and Erika Roberts. This team would later be called The Black Fridays Group. The beginning stages of Black Fridays would take form through conversations between Kanika and Demetrus Coonrod, Councilwoman for the City of Chattanooga, TN. The Councilwoman would encourage the idea of creating festival-like events for the black community focused on economic equity. She would also provide networking opportunities for sponsorship and exposure. Black Fridays would be introduced to the public via a series of festival-like events held on Fridays at various public spaces. The launch series would began as spring/summer festivals and later transform into seminars, conferences, and workshops. The goal is to raise awareness of black owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and minority artists in the metro Chattanooga, TN area through education, entertainment, empowerment, and exposure.The core idea of Black Fridays was born from historical experience of blacks living in the Greenwood district of Tulsa, Oklahoma during the era of 1921. This was one of the most prominent concentrations of African-American businesses in the United States during the early 20th century. The founder is guided by the 7 principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba).Umoja (oo-MOH-jah): Unity Success starts with Unity. Unity of family, community, nation and race. Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah): Self-Determination To be responsible for ourselves. To create your own destiny. Ujima (oo-JEE-mah): Collective work and responsibility To build and maintain your community together. To work together to help one another within your community. Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH): Collective economics To build, maintain, and support our own stores, establishments, and businesses. Nia (NEE-ah): Purpose To restore African American people to their traditional greatness. To be
