2020 is nearly over It has been a rough year for small businesses like ours here at the Journal. This year marks our 30th year. We have worked hard to get to this point, and as you can see we have survived. We are a small staff with a big charge of trying to keep the black community informed as to the happenings in Pasadena’s black community. The challenge has been not enough advertising revenue to hire writers and sales staff.
Given these facts, this adventure, called The Journal, has allowed us to hold events so the whole of the Pasadena community can become aware of what Black Pasadenans have to contribute to our community. For 10 years, we hosted a breakfast, highlighting nearly 100 Black Women of Achievement in classifications of business, education, church workers, entrepreneurs, pioneers, social and nonprofit organizations and women in medicine and the ministry. For three years we held the Pasadena Black Expo featuring various businesses, organizations, artists, entertainers, and food vendors, and 5 years we hosted Spring, Summer, and Christmas Marketplaces and Juneteenth events. These events allow us to identify those businesses, events, agencies, services, and individuals that are most supported by the black community. Being named, “Best of Black Pasadena”, will provide encouragement and marketing tools to those businesses, agencies, events, services, individuals, and professionals that serve and support the black community. Pasadena has a small black community and yet we provide the same services as a large community, and in some cases, we have two or more of various services that we need to continue to support. For example, we should all note that we just had local elections. However, no candidate advertised in the Journal. We were being called by citizens asking who to vote for and we didn’t have adequate answers. When candidates don’t think enough of the Black vote to reach out, no wonder many of them lose. Likewise, the same can be said of blacks in business who don’t utilize The Journal as a vehicle to reach out to the black community. We aren’t able to refer our readers to support them. We have watched too many black businesses go under for lack of advertising. My wife has a saying, “If they’re not in The Journal, then as far as she knows, they’re not there.” I have listed some categories to suggest for our first “Best of Black Pasadena” list, based on who we know that best supports black businesses, agencies, events services, and individuals. We invite our readers to weigh-in with their Best in Black Pasadena categories, names and reason. Here are our Best in Black Pasadena categories: 1. Best Attorney, 2. Best Bank, 3. Best Beauty Shop, 4. Best Barber Shop, 5. Best Credit Union, 6. Best Makeup Artist. 7. Best Nail Salon/Technician, 8. Best Event Party Planner, 9. Best Mobile Detail, 10. Best Car Wash, 11. Best Fraternity, 12. Best Sorority, 12. Best High School, 13. Best BBQ, 14. Best Church Choir, 15. Best Clothing Boutique, 16. Best Entertainer, 17. Best Doctor, 18. Best Dentist, 19. Best Male Vocalist, 20. Best Female Vocalist, 21. Best Band, 22. Best local TV personality, 23. Best Local Radio Personality, 24. Best Comedian, 25. Best Local Actor, 26. Best Local Actress, 27. Best Non-Profit, 28. Best Fitness Trainer, 29. Best Soul Food, 30. Best Realtor, 31. Best Local Event, 32. Best Restaurant, 33. Best Stock Broker. You may think of other categories to submit. The Journal may add the Best In Black Pasadena categories and selections in a publication, or at an event (tbd), or as part of an annual list of honorees including our annual State of Black Pasadena, our Women of Achievement and honoring certain Leading Men who have made contributions to the Pasadena Community. If you would like to participate, please send the following information: 1. Category 2. Name of person or entity 3. Their contact information – address, email and phone #. (This information will be kept confidential) 4. State why they are the best. Must be typed in 150 words or less 5. Your Name (Please Note: If your entry is selected, your name will be disclosed as the nominee) 6. Your contact information – address, email and phone #. (This information will be kept confidential) Please send your suggestion to The Journal at our email address: journal@pasadenajournal.com, and put “Category Suggestion” in the Subject line. Only submit one Category Suggestion at a time. |
|
