2023 24 Black Pages FINAL 2 - Flipbook - Page 117
of working. Our ancestors excelled because they loved what they did,” says Duval. “It’s
important for today’s youth and young adults in business to love what they do.”
Modern Manifestations of Progress
Black progress in Macon from the 1970’s until now is laced with exponential
increases in Black owned business. A decrease in businesses owned by Blacks naturally
occurred following desegregation due in part to increased competition with White
establishments and a disbursement of Black residents. But by the mid-eighties Black owned
businesses started to rebound. For instance, Habersham Records debuted in 1986 and
today remains open as one of the oldest record stores in the world.
In 1999 Macon elected its first Black mayor C. Jack
Ellis – a proponent of minority and women owned business.
Following a disparity study a year into office, Ellis’
administration found that 97 percent of city contracts had
been awarded to White males traditionally. He vowed to
make it half by the end of his first and came close reversing
the trend and getting 40-45 percent of city contracts in the
hands of women and minorities. “It is the job of government
to ensure equity in Municipal business affairs as well,” Ellis
said. “Qualified women and minorities deserve a chance to
prove their capabilities just like everyone else.”
Today Black businesses in every conceivable
category can be found throughout Macon. In addition to
some of the traditional trades that still exist, real time Black
entrepreneurs in tech, fashion, food, media, mental health,
entertainment, art, music, and other vocations dot the local
business landscape.
Jack Ellis
According to the Macon-Middle Georgia Black Pages – an annual Black business
listing, news, and history publication - those businesses account for some of the 1.2-billiondollar spending power of Central Georgia’s collective Black community. “It’s a testament to
those before us that sacrificed and provided us broad shoulders to stand on,” said Black
Pages founder Alex Habersham. “Without them there’s no us since they are a professional
barometer.”
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