Chamber to celebrate Black-run organizations during Black History Month

In celebration of Black History Month and Keep It QC, the Quad Cities Chamber will be highlighting local Black-owned businesses and Black-run organizations throughout February on our social media. At the Chamber, we believe representation of people of color in our external marketing and communications is important, and we are striving to do a better job at this.

Furthermore, the Black community plays an integral role in advancing our region's prosperity and our shared history in the Quad Cities. Between 2011 and 2021, the Black population in our six-county region increased about 20%, totaling 32,850 residents, according to Emsi labor market data compiled by Chamber staff. 

Within that period (2012-2017), Black-owned employer businesses in the U.S. increased 13.6%, totaling 124,000 Black firms, according to Black Demographics data. These businesses employed more than 1.2 million people, an increase of nearly 24% from 2012; their payrolls totaled about $26 billion, an increase of 30%.

Follow along as we showcase our friends and community partners on Facebook and LinkedIn! Join the conversation by sharing some of your favorite black-owned businesses in the Quad Cities – be sure to tag #KeepItQC.