Small businesses serve as connectors in our communities. Across the country, local entrepreneurs are a staple of the economy and are at the heart of who we are as Americans.
- As of 2021, the Small Business Administration reported 32.5 million small businesses employing 61.2 million Americans.1
In celebration of National Small Business Week, we gathered several stories that highlight small businesses that serve as community connectors and how our local teams are supporting those entrepreneurs.
- Emerald City Plant Shop, Boston: New England’s first Black-and-female owned plant shop is a staple in Norwood, as well as a center for community engagement. Quontay Turner’s Emerald City Plant Shop cultivates relationships with other Black entrepreneurs and incorporates their work into her business.
- West Phillie Produce, Philadelphia: West Philadelphia resident Arnett Woodall saw his community’s need for fresh, affordable produce and decided to open his own business. Since 2009, Arnett has been a cornerstone in the effort to teach his community healthy eating habits and to increase accessibility to healthy foods.
- Phat Daddy’s BBQ, Baltimore: Owner William Holland is known for making good barbeque and giving back to his community. From hosting free Thanksgiving dinners at his restaurant, to giving the restaurant’s leftovers the homeless community, to mentoring young professionals interested in the restaurant business, William serves his community of Chestertown.
At AT&T, we appreciate small business owners who create connections in our communities, and we strive to enhance these connections – whether technological or human – wherever we can. We also appreciate diverse small business owners and work to provide resources to foster economic growth within the communities we serve.
- One way we are doing that is by engaging our employees to nominate Black-owned businesses throughout their communities, like the three businesses mentioned above, to receive $2,500 and business mentoring on topics such as cybersecurity, digital transformation and digital marketing.
- We also committed $11.5 million during the pandemic to create opportunities for Black and other underserved communities.
Across the country, small businesses serve as links within our communities, and we strive to enhance those connections. We are proud to support these businesses in their work to improve and support our communities.
1 U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy (2021). Small Business Profile.
