Celebrating Black Business Month

USTA Southern is proud to celebrate Black Business Month (BBM) in August.

This observance was established in 2004 by John William Templeton, a historian, and Frederick Jordan, an engineer, to help expand and provide support for Black-owned businesses. USTA Southern encourages you to value the talent and expertise of Black-owned brands and businesses and to partner up and engage with these businesses beyond buying.

USTA Southern Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Cee Jai Jones stated, “We hope that our tennis community will take time to intentionally support Black-owned businesses this month, especially those that provide goods and services to our tennis community. 

"After all, there are many Black-owned restaurants, caterers, office supplies, clothing, sporting and promotional vendors within our nine states. In USTA Southern’s role as an ally for marginalized communities, it is important to work toward economic inclusivity in our section.”

In celebration of BBM, USTA Southern will highlight at least four black-owned businesses in our section on social media throughout the month. We are also providing a list below of several business-related activities in selected Southern cities. If your city is not listed, please search for businesses in your area, support them and attend related events as well. We hope this will bring awareness and encourage you to #supportblackbusiness!  

If you are a Black-owned business in any of the nine Southern states (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee), please email Cee Jai Jones about a potential spotlight on your business to share with our tennis community.

Lastly, making one dedicated purchase in a Black-owned business will make a big difference.

• Atlanta
• Louisville, Ky.
• Jackson, Miss.
• Charlotte, N.C.
• Columbia, S.C.
• Nashville, Tenn.