About

Half the battle of supporting Black-owned businesses is being able to find them.

Black Main Street 205 (BMS 205) was created in 2017 as an online directory dedicated solely to promoting the Black-owned businesses in Birmingham, Alabama.  In 2019, the founders decided to expand the directory nationwide. The
​BMS 205 directory provides a growing guide of restaurants, stores, attorneys, salons, doctors, and other Black-owned businesses.  In addition, the directory sells message tees, marketing services, and information products to support & celebrate the brilliance, beauty, and creativity of the black community. 

Support for Black-owned businesses can be even stronger in the Black community if we pulled together. To help us unite, Black Main Street 205 is launching 205 business hubs around the country in 2020. Members will enjoy the opportunity to collaborate and give each other support to grow their network and contacts. The hubs host exclusive members-only events, public networking & educational events, and special VIP founder appearance events. 

The more participation and the more resources we have, the more we will continue to grow. For any questions, contact us via email at blackmainstreet205@gmail.com. 
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We look forward to your support and working with you to expand your business and your network! 

                                                                                                      *****
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BMS 205 is a global business directory that promotes and spotlights black-owned businesses. Join a business hub in your city! Visit our online shop!

the case for BMS 205  business directory

Racism exists when one group holds a disproportionate share of wealth and power over another group then uses those resources to marginalize, exploit, exclude and subordinate the weaker group. Since black people neither hold a disproportionate share of wealth and power over another group nor possess the ability to marginalize, exploit, exclude and subordinate another group, empowering black people through support and promotion is not racist.

While we understand that equality feels like oppression to the privileged and the idea that whites are not the central focus is hard to accept especially to fragile people, the facts are glaring and our economic and society ills must be addressed despite misguided emotions, perceived offense, or lack of awareness/concern/empathy.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Birmingham has a population of 74% black people.  However, the city is systematically plagued with poverty, crime, and unemployment.  In addition to black businesses not being marketed and supported, payday loan, title pawn, and check cashing stores are the only growth industry in our community which continues the cycle.

Only 1% of corporate revenue for the State of Alabama is generated by black-owned businesses, therefore, it is understandable why the State neither places any priority, promotion, and introduces zero legislation to benefit our businesses nor produces economic opportunities primarily for black people.  

Even though black people have been the majority of Birmingham's citizens since the early 1980s combined with a black mayor, black police chief, and majority black city leadership, the city neither promotes economics for black people nor black businesses.  Black owned businesses in Birmingham only account of for 16% of all small businesses in the City and only receive 1.2 percent of business receipts in metro Birmingham.  15% of blacks in Birmingham are self-employed.  It is unverified if the full 15% of self-employed are counted in the small business numbers.  A stronger focus on entrepreneurship is needed within the black community.  The unemployment rate for the City of Birmingham is a staggering 7% which indicates an even higher unemployment rate for blacks. 

​We are the numerical majority yet always identify ourselves as minorities.  Unfortunately, the term minority includes white women, Latinos, Asians, LGBT, etc. whose issues always overshadow/supersedes the issues that adversely affect black people.  It’s obvious no one is looking out for us and it is up to us to solve our own problems.  Therefore, we do not have the time, energy, or resources to waste on unproductive, non-beneficial activities and conversations that do not positively promote black-owned businesses.