Black Businesses Deserve Better Media

We saw our business' network expand exponentially after features in San Antonio's top corporate newspapers, i.e. San Antonio Business Journal, and shiny-page magazines, i.e. San Antonio Magazine. In all, we've been featured nearly 30 times in San Antonio news. Our features, including conversations around how housing affected our small business, how we work together, how various programs and resources assisted our growth, about being Black in business, and then all of the subsequent "check-in" articles and features - helped us become instant experts. At one point, our expert status shifted to "influencer" credentialing, which invited brands to partner with our small business. Our door was knocked on by the likes of City of San Antonio, VIA Metropolitan Transit, SA Food Bank, San Antonio Housing, CENTRO San Antonio and New York Life Insurance to create exposure-driven campaigns or programming. As influencers, and her comes a shameless plug, in one instance a very well known San Antonio-based Bachelorette contestant even walked up to us, phone in hand and on it, a screenshot of our San Antonio Business Journal "Power Couples" cover. All of which would not have happened if we didn't invest in controlling our narrative through news features.

But why? Why were we able to see so much "fanfare" and garner so much attention? I mean, we weren't doing anything THAT exemplary, right? Wrong. We were exemplary. We stood out. We were the only Black-owned PR firm in the City, we didn't solely serve Black clients, and our contracts included some of San Antonio's largest corporate brands and municipal offices. Our work spoke for itself - and then the features did a lot more talking. Thanks to our features we were afforded opportunities to walk into rooms and not have to introduce ourselves. Yes, our brand and us, the Ogbas, were outliers - but we weren't the only ones.

There are plenty of Black Owned Business in San Antonio that are thriving. Setting up amazing storefronts, practices, and firms. There are consultants and coaches that have national acclaim, there are agents that have garnered millions in endowments. There is Black excellence here. But there's a disproportionate opportunity for these brands to boast making it "the news", either they don't know how to be found - or the news "can't find any" ... or worst, Black brand owners don't understand how good press can affect their business' growth.

January 2015, Forbes Magazine ranked San Antonio eighth in the nation (tied with Miami, FL and Richmond, VA) in terms of the favor-ability of the economy for African-Americans; higher than any of the other large metropolitan area in Texas.

The City's expected population growth will include attracting African-American businesses from elsewhere, as well as engaging with African-American entrepreneurs and professionals ready to start new businesses in San Antonio. 

Now, in 2020 - our community is looking for support in whatever way we can get it and our neighbors, allies, and co-conspirators are anxious for our "asks".

Well here it is. Join In The Black Biz, a unique public relations based leadership program that will identify and amplify Black-owned B2B brands and professionals to San Antonio's top corporate and elected decision makers, while also increasing opportunities for corporate business development and diversity. We are seeking to welcome corporate brands to sponsor this 4-month advertorial campaign that features dynamic, multimedia placements, and will be integral in the equitable and accountable society being birthed as the Civil Rights Movement moves into its next phase.

San Antonio's top news providers recently ramped up their coverage of Black businesses, we've accounted for a few great lists on the EHCU Public Relations Facebook Page, VIEW HERE.

Learn more on how your corporate brand can participate in IN THE BLACK BIZ, keep scrolling.