Forbes - Putting The ‘Black’ In Black Friday

Plus: What The Pandemic Means For Women In Leadership

Morning Banter

What role do green beans play in Thanksgiving dinner? The casse-role.

Much like everything else in 2020, Thanksgiving will be very different this year. Think turkeys for two, miniature pies (pecan always trumps pumpkin) and Zoom gatherings with extended family. The Friday after Thanksgiving will also look far different from that of years past as Americans turn their sights on cyber deals and patronize local smaller businesses, potentially benefiting Black-owned businesses.

A recent small business poll paints a dour picture for Black-owned companies, finding that more than half may be forced to close by April 2021 without federal relief. 

But the holiday shopping season, which kicks off on Black Friday, could prove to be a short-term financial salve for Black business owners. And a few tech companies have stepped up to assist in their recovery.

Google partnered with Grammy-winning musician Wyclef Jean to promote its #BlackOwnedFriday campaign and TikTok launched Support Black Businesses, a digital hub to amplify Black entrepreneurs. In October, Facebook launched its #BuyBlackFriday initiative as part of a broader three-month campaign to support small businesses during the holiday season.

“Black-owned businesses have been hit especially hard by the pandemic,” Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg wrote in a blog post announcing the initiative. “But we know that millions of people want to help.”

Send me an email at rumoh@forbes.com.

Quiz Yourself

Black Friday online sales pulled in a record $__ in 2019.

(A) 504 million
(B) 1.4 billion
(C) 4.4 billion
(D) 7.4 billion

(Answer located at the bottom of this newsletter.)

Editor's Pick

ICYMI

The trailer for Sia's new movie is facing backlash from the disabled community. Her tweets only made things worse.

Today, millions of Americans will load dirty utensils into a contraption invented by a woman: the humble dishwasher.

Miami Heat player Moe Harkless is partnering with the Prisoner Wine Company to promote social justice reform.

A computer simulation shows why The Biden-Harris administration will be more diverse than the current one.

Jobseekers over the age of 50 are taking new measures to remain competitive in the labor market and overcome potential age bias.

Here are seven Black-owned businesses to support on Black Friday.

Up Ahead

• On December 8, hear how top CIOs are using AI to identify promising talent.

Quiz Answer: (D) Black Friday online sales pulled in a record $7.4 billion in 2019.