Today, Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative (AWBI) released its latest brief, “Standing on Business,” data and policy recommendations that seeks to substantiate Black businesses are neighborhood well-being assets that deserve to be shielded from displacement. The brief blends resident and business owner interviews with a rich dataset of Black-owned businesses in the City of Atlanta to examine the relationships between small Black-owned business density and neighborhood well-being.[i]

“The sustainability of Black-owned businesses in Atlanta is critical to preserving the social and economic fabric of our city’s historically Black neighborhoods,” stated Dr. Alex Camardelle, vice president of Policy and Research at AWBI. “Black-owned businesses in our neighborhoods are closing too frequently, and as market pressures intensify, we must prioritize policies that protect these businesses from displacement while fostering community wealth.”  

While a few studies have examined the impact of small businesses on neighborhood well-being, very few, if any, have examined the unique impact of Black-owned businesses. The closure of Black-owned businesses in Atlanta threatens the core identities and economic vibrancy of the city’s historically Black neighborhoods.[ii]

 The report was produced with the support of United Way of Greater Atlanta and leverages their Child Well-Being Index data to explore the relationship between small Black-owned businesses and community-wide benefits.

 “Our analysis shows that Black-owned business in Atlanta’s neighborhoods can boost child well-being, underscoring the vital role these businesses play in community prosperity,” said AWBI Senior Policy & Research Associate Jarryd Bethea, one of the brief’s co-authors. “To protect this impact, we urge policymakers to prioritize commercial affordability, launch a vacancy tax, and support the growth of legacy businesses through targeted public investments.”

“Black-owned businesses are not just economic engines; they are pillars of cultural and social strength in Atlanta’s historically Black neighborhoods,” said Alvin Glymph, vice president of Strategic Partnerships at United Way of Greater Atlanta. “The data in this report affirms what we’ve long believed: supporting these businesses is essential to enhancing community well-being and advancing equitable growth. Our commitment to protecting these assets aligns with our broader mission of fostering resilient communities where children and families can thrive.”

Key findings from the report include: 

·       Black-owned small businesses in Atlanta contribute significantly to neighborhood well-being, including a measurable increase in child well-being scores.

·       Black-owned businesses in Atlanta are disproportionately affected by rising commercial rents, making commercial affordability a significant barrier.

·       There are seven Black-owned small businesses for every 1,000 Black residents in Atlanta, but these businesses earn only $0.17 for every $1.00 earned by other small businesses.

·       The majority of Black-owned businesses in Atlanta have fewer than 20 employees and face challenges accessing capital due to systemic barriers.

·       Commercial rents in majority-Black neighborhoods have increased at a faster rate than in majority-white neighborhoods, contributing to the displacement of Black-owned businesses.

The brief also makes the following policy recommendations:

·       Implement a Vacancy Tax: Deter property owners from holding vacant commercial spaces by imposing a tax on long-term vacancies.

·       Establish Commercial Tenant Rental Assistance: Create a program to provide rental subsidies and support to Black-owned businesses struggling with rising commercial rents.

·       Partner with Mission-Driven Developers: Encourage the development of smaller, more affordable retail spaces through partnerships with local, community-focused developers.

·       Launch a Legacy Business Program: Support long-standing Black-owned businesses with subsidies, grants, and technical assistance to preserve historically significant commercial corridors.

·       Enhance Resource Navigation Networks: Strengthen technical assistance for Black-owned businesses to help them access capital and other resources more effectively.

Read the brief here.​

[i] Anchored by a deep commitment to community based participatory research, AWBI completed this brief by conducting interviews with participants who play key roles in their communities as business owners, neighborhood residents, or both in the City of Atlanta. AWBI also analyzed data provided by Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc. and Data Axle, Inc. to examine Black business trends at a neighborhood level. We use this approach because the U.S. Census surveys only report business demographics at the metro level, which limits the analysis of business dynamics on neighborhood well-being.

[ii] Raymond, Elora Lee, Ben Miller, Michaela McKinney, and Jonathan Braun. “Gentrifying Atlanta: Investor purchases of rental housing, evictions, and the displacement of black residents.” Housing Policy Debate 31, no. 3-5 (2021): 818-834.