So as you can see the Friday after Thanksgiving can mean various things, depending on your age.

In 95 years, the paper has seen Black business grow and collapse while we are still reporting it. We have witness Stephanie Strawbridge become the first female Black Funeral director/owner and Vel’s close after many years of providing a dance atmosphere highlighting the Quarter Century Club.

Find out by asking friends, contact an African American business organization, or casually inquiring at a venue about its ownership. Once you identify Black-owned businesses in your community, encourage others to support them too.

Looking back over the 95 years, I am sure many reporters faced situations from that era that had people wondering about the paper. Do we take up the fight to save the printed edition?

I use to spend a lot of summers in Chicago with my grandparents and spent a lot of their money in the famous area named Jew Town. Many Black Americans who refuse to buy at Black businesses claim prices are too high, the service is inferior, or the products are below par.

You may have learned skills through belonging to groups or from hobbies you pursue.