On Tuesday, February 13, Recycling Black Dollars hosted there monthly meeting at Denny’s Restaurant on Crenshaw Boulevard. The meeting was attended by well over 50 local African American businesses who all came out to network, promote their businesses and to honor five community visionaries who have passed away over the past few years.
The visionaries who were honored at the event were Muhammad A. Nassardeen, Founder of Recycling Black Dollars (RBD) 1952-2007, Harold Hambrick, Los Angeles Black Business Expo 1943-2014, Brenda Marsh-Mitchell, Mothers in Action/Taste of Soul 1947-2014, Marva Smith Battle-Bey, Vermont Slauson Economic Development 1951-2016 and Leon T. Garr, Entrepreneur (Godfather of Black Business, LA) 1914-2017.
“This ceremony was about honoring our ancestors,” stated Jacque Bee, co-executive director of Recycling Black Dollars. The event which was part of RBD’s Black History Month celebrations talked about the fact that often we think about our ancestors who paved the way years ago. However, the truth is that many of the people who we all know and loved who have passed on are our ancestors as well.
Each honoree was represented by a family member or close friend who shared thoughts and memories of the loved ones with the audience and shared little tidbits of wisdom that they had imparted upon them and many of the other attendees in the room.
Israel T. Garr, grandson of Leon Garr the noted businessman who passed away in December of 2017 at the age of 103 was extremely inspirational as he talked about how his grandfather Leon Garr had helped so many African American businesses over his years and how he was motivated to start founders bank, not because he needed or wanted a loan, but because he knew that there were so many businesses within our community that needed the power of a local bank to assist them in creating financial opportunities that would help all.
Recycling Black Dollars was founded by the late Muhammad Nassardeen to aid in the economic development of the African American community by encouraging support of Black businesses. RBD targets organizations, churches and Fortune 500 corporations in an effort to encourage vending and contract opportunities for Black businesses. They work with banks and other funding organizations to provide capital for the development and expansion of the Black business community. RBD is also committed to providing ongoing training seminars for our entrepreneurial youth.
Membership services include: Monthly networking meetings, assistance with business plans, marketing and promotional support, the annual RBD Resource Guide and Business Directory, internet advertising, website links, mentoring programs for young entrepreneurs, accounting and bookkeeping services and a host of other services.
For more information please contact RBD at 323-449-2099 or visit their website at www.rbdmedia.org
