WELCOME REMARKS

Eric H. Kearney President & CEO

Welcome to the Cincy Nights Gala as we honor 11 business leaders who are leading the way for our community. It’s a privilege for us to recognize their contributions to their own businesses and for their on-going support of your African American Chamber of Commerce.

I would also like to take time and celebrate the continued successes of our Black-owned Businesses in Southwest Ohio. You will recall that earlier this year, we released the results of our groundbreaking study, “The Economic Impact of Black-owned Businesses in Southwest Ohio Communities” which proved that the Greater Cincinnati Black businesses support more than $2.1 billion up from $1.4 billion last year.

This impressive analysis from the UC Economics Center shows a robust number of growing enterprises, jobs created, and communities positively impacted by our Black businesses. The impact of Black-owned Businesses in Southwest Ohio communities is responsible for directly employing 5,914 people with more than $306 million in earnings throughout the Cincinnati Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Additionally, earnings by Black-owned businesses generate approximately $6.7 million in income tax for the state of Ohio and more than $13.5 million in fiscal impacts to the region and state.

Tonight, let us celebrate our honorees and our Black-owned Businesses in our Cincy region for their continued success in the coming year.