Photo: WBZ NewsRadio \ Matt Shearer
BROCKTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — One woman is using social media to shine a light on Black-owned business in Brockton.
WBZ's Matt Shearer met up with Shaleah Gilmer, founder and executive director of Black Owned Brockton, for a tour of some of Brockton's Black-owned businesses.
Gilmer uses @blackownedbrockton to promote minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs and help them connect to potential customers. The organization began as an Instagram page and has since grown to become Brockton's first Black business advocacy organization.
"I want people to know that Brockton is a pretty safe place to hang out and live in to start a business," Gilmer told WBZ's Matt Shearer.
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In Shearer's travels, he stopped by Empower Nutrition, a healthy shake and tea bar, Vicente's, a locally-owned supermarket, and a Haitian-owned restaurant with traditional Cape Verdean cuisine. He also made a stop at SoundLab Recording Studios where he got a chance to get in front of the mic.
"You come here not only for the shake and the tea but also to empower you to become the best version of yourself," said Francois Diatta, co-owner of Empower Nutrition.
Gilmer created Black Owned Brockton in 2020 with the mission to "curate a cohesive, collaborative space where business and social connections can be made and sustained."
"This is home honestly, I'm here for the growth," Gilmer said.
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