Chicago is one of the most racially diverse cities in the country. In just one city, tourists can get a taste of Greektown, Chinatown, Little Mexico and Little Italy.
But no neighborhood reflects the African-American culture like other ethnic enclaves, and that’s something some business leaders in Austin want to change.
“Austin needs to give the tourists and people in the community the opportunity to indulge in who we are as African Americans,” says Malcolm Crawford, executive director of the African American Business Networking Association.
Crawford said he dreams of a new business district featuring music clubs dedicated to jazz and blues as well as poetry spots and dine-in restaurants with African-American-themed menus.
“I guess in a way I want to bring Africa to Austin,” he says.
Creating an African-American business district would take some work and should involve increasing the number of businesses owned by African-Americans, some local business experts say.
“It would definitely be nice to see more African-American owned businesses in the Austin community,” says state Rep. Camille Lilly, who also serves as executive director of the Austin Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s about collective thinking. So many times people in one community think they have all the answers, but when you have more people come together from one race, you get a richer story.”
Dexter Voisin, an associate professor at University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration, believes bringing one culture together in a positive way benefits the community in other ways, too.
“When African Americans have a strong sense of ethnic identity, they feel better about who they are and where they live,” says Voisin. “Often times, if a community has visual displays in terms of cultural representation, it is a way of bringing people together.”
Lilly agrees, adding: “Bringing more African-American culture to Austin may be the key to cleaning up the violent behavior. More black-owned businesses and organizations in Austin can help each other survive.”
But Jerome Wilson, a long-time Austin resident, worries that if black culture is highlighted in Austin, it could cause crime in a neighborhood already struggling with youth violence and gangs.
“Before blacks here in Austin can try to show our race in a good light, we have to realize the other races that are around us,” Wilson says.
“We have to keep in mind of other races in and around the neighborhood who may take offense to all of this black pride we are fighting for, and this can only be a ticket to more racism and more crime.”
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From a person who is not an African-American who lives in Austin I would not at all offended by the existence of such a district. I would visit any vibrant business district that would has interesting stores, places to eat and cultural institutions to visit. There is a lot of momentum in the US towards locally created and sourced food, crafts, and culture. Many of businesses start home-based and grow. Wouldn’t it be great to to have a goal of starting 100 micro-businesses in Austin in 2010? What about a business “incubator” where people could have access to space and resources to start a business such as a shared commercial kitchen, business counselors, classes, etc. A synergy is often created when many people are working towards creating great products.
Love this idea and am wondering what Malcolm Crawford and Ade Onayemi think as well.