Development Highlights Ohio’s Black Entrepreneurial Successes During 'National Black Business Month'

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) -The Ohio Department of Development is commemorating National Black Business Month in August by showcasing the accomplishments of Black entrepreneurs across the state.

Recognized every August since 2004, Black Business Month celebrates the success and innovation of America's Black entrepreneurs.

"The Department of Development, through our Minority Business Development Division, its network of Minority Business Assistance Centers, and community partners, is committed to empowering Black entrepreneurs to foster a legacy of success not only for themselves but for the communities they serve," said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. "National Black Business Month is a great opportunity to recognize the contributions that thousands of Ohio Black businesses have made toward our state's growing economy."

One such entrepreneur is Jenell Ross. The second-generation owner of Bob Ross Auto Group, located in Centerville, recently celebrated the milestone of 50 years in business.

"The Bob Ross Auto Group values the certification process and can attribute many partnerships developing as a result of our WBE/MBE status," stated Ross. "Our certification has allowed us to bid on RFPs that might not have come our way had we not been certified. We continue to see the value in the State of Ohio process, and the Minority Business Assistance Center continues to support our efforts of making sure Minority Businesses have a seat at the table."

Bob Ross Auto Group is the first Mercedes-Benz dealership owned by an African American woman in the country. The company is certified as a Minority Business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise.

Development supports Ohio's small, minority-women-, and-veteran-owned businesses through Minority Business Assistance Centers that provide:

• Technical and professional assistance

• Certification assistance

• Access to capital and bonding

• Connections to business opportunities

Services are provided free of charge.

Entrepreneur Joe Bowers' vision of launching Savannah Joe's Restaurant in Youngstown started to unfold once he sought business assistance from his local MBAC, which referred him to a Community Development Financial Institution Loan associate, Youngstown Valley Economic Partners. Together, they provided start-up capital and helped update his business plan. Bowers secured a lease and a loan and opened the restaurant in 2022.

"The expertise and guidance provided by the MBAC were nothing short of transformative, and the detailed support in crafting a robust business plan laid a solid foundation for my venture," said Bowers. "Their team meticulously assisted in outlining our goals, target market, and financial projections, which were crucial in turning my vision into reality."

Cincinnati-based Quality SAP is another minority business that benefited from Development's small business resources. The Black woman-owned IT consulting company offers website development, business branding, and marketing to small businesses.  The business received a Development Micro Loan in April, which helped expand its team, allowing the owner, Cynthia McCallister, to take on more projects for the company.

"One of the things that is so important as a minority business owner, especially a minority, female business owner is the support to grow," said Cynthia McCallister, founder of Quality SAP. "Development's Micro Loan has enabled my company to bring more people to my team and allow us to share our business resources with the community through our KEYspot Mobile app."

In 2024, Minority Business Assistance Centers served over 10,237 clients, provided 10,733 hours of business counseling, and certified more than 3,900 businesses.

Since January 2022, Development has provided more than $24.6 million in support to more than 270 minority- and women-owned businesses through the Women's Business Enterprise Loan Program, the Minority Direct Loan Program, the Ohio Micro-Loan Program, and the Ohio Minority Business Bonding Program.

More information on resources to support small, minority-women-, and-veteran-owned businesses can be found at minority.ohio.gov.

The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio's people, places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at development.ohio.gov.

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