Celebrating the rich fabric of our community
This month, the Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce shines a light on a few of the black-owned businesses that enrich our area.
The Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce celebrates Black History Month by recognizing the community contributions of these minority business owners. (Photograph: Bonnie Brihan)
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Black History Month is a time to listen to some of the voices that matter. We reached out to black business owners from the Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce to help raise their voices high.
“On behalf of the 580-plus members of our chamber, board of directors and my team, we are proud to acknowledge minority business leaders and showcase their organizations and contributions to our community,” says Executive Director Dana Wolfe. “It is exciting to see the continued growth of businesses in Lake County as they support our vision to foster a diverse environment where businesses and residents are proud to work, live and play.”
Zahra Finley, Zesty Compass Collection
“Black history is a special time of reflection and responsibility. A time when we honor resilience and the cultural impact of black excellence. Our past, present and future are the building blocks of our communities moving forward. This is a legacy of celebrating where we’ve risen above and succeeded, even though we’ve been under-represented.”
Business overview: Five years ago, Zahra founded Zesty Compass to combine her love of science and decades in the corporate world, focusing on the wine industry. She believes wine is about more than what’s in the bottle. It’s an elevated experience.
Dominicque Smith and Angelique Griffin, founders, Precision SGT Services, Wickliffe
“Black history month is the time to acknowledge the legacy of innovation that has shaped our journey to this moment, while recognizing our ongoing responsibility to advocate for equity, amplify our voices and create space for future generations,” says Dominicque. “We are celebrating our cultural heritage and experiences that continue and impact how we show up each day.”
Business overview: Founded last July, this professional transportation and courier company is dedicated to providing reliable and timely delivery solutions for schools, nursing homes, medical facilities such as hospitals and dialysis centers, and product deliveries.
Niesha Perry, owner, Triumphant Counseling Services, Willowick
“There have been so many things attracting the attention of the media recently that I hope do not overshadow the relevance of Black History Month. I pray that our culture and voices continue to be seen, heard and acknowledged. Historically, we’ve had to fight to prove ourselves and I feel we are still making history.”
Business overview: As a licensed professional clinical counselor, Niesha provides mental health and substance abuse counseling and recently restructured her service to also include wellness coaching.
Barry Young, Crave Cookies, Willowick
“To me, celebrating Black history is both an honor and a responsibility. It is about honoring the generations that came before me and those who endured, sacrificed and opened doors that I now have the privilege of walking through. Ultimately, it is about legacy. I want to ensure that when my children and the next generation look back, they don’t just see stories of struggle. They see examples of ownership, leadership and purpose.”
Business overview: Opened in October of last year, Crave focuses on a rotating weekly menu, deep-dish gourmet cookies and a bakery experience. The philosophy is to see calories as units of joy.
The number of WWLCC black-owned businesses grows each year. In addition to these four businesses, others include: Beyond The Toybox Event Styling | Balloons | Supplies; Biggby Coffee Wickliffe; Boss Blinks; Care 2 U Health Services; CRE8IVRHO Digital; Create A Space; Early Steps Learning Center; Ecclesiastes Business Enterprise, LLC; Fate Into Destiny Wellness Center; Jordan Community Resource Center; Kevin P. Davis Insurance Agency, Inc.; Kogent Studios; Lake County Ohio NAACP; Natural Soap Lab; Motorsure America; Rhonda Osa, LLC; Ruthie’s List; Safe Harbor Home Healthcare; Stephany Marsia Beauty and Esthetics; The Cutting Lounge Barber Shop; The Welcome Box; Val Woods CPR; Village Collective Inc. and Zesty Compass Collections.
Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce
28 Public Square, Willoughby
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