The JP UP Date: Activating National Black Business Month

Number 184 August 19, 2022 St. Louis

Activating Black Business Month through the Month of August and Beyond

Justine PETERSEN is proud to recognize and celebrate the impact of Black-owned businesses across our service footprint. The month of August is National Black Business Month, honoring the role of Black-owned businesses across the country. Black business owners account for nearly 10% of all of U.S. businesses and 30% of all minority-owned businesses, equating to approximately two million companies in total.

In an effort to advance the interests of Black-owned businesses, Justine PETERSEN has entered into technical assistance agreements with entities that support and cultivate Black-owned businesses, including Business Elevator in Champaign, IL, the Black Chamber of Commerce of Illinois based in Decatur, IL, and the Minority Business Development Center and Tri-County Urban League in Peoria, IL.Let’s support, recognize and celebrate Black-owned businesses 12 months a year!

JP Staffers Tatiana Gillum and Tyler Janssen Present on Credit Building to Recovery House of St. Louis Staff and Residents

JP’s Credit Building Team is always “about town.” Getting the word out on the life-changing potential of credit building, JP staffers Tatiana Gillum and Tyler Janssen recently presented to staff and residents of Recovery House of St. Louis. “Providing the structure, discipline and accountability to achieve long term freedom from drugs and alcohol,” Recovery House is “centered on creating a conducive home environment needed to make life changes away from the people, places and stressors that first lead to and fuel addiction.” Tatiana and Tyler offered a primer on the fundamentals of credit building and creating a life-long trajectory of building financial assets.

SCORE St. Louis Bi-State Region Recognizes Volunteers

JP staffers Shawna Collier, Travis Williams and Galen Gondolfi attended a summer luncheon recognizing those who provide volunteer service to the local SCORE St. Louis Bi-State Region chapter. SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) and Justine PETERSEN are both partners of the US Small Business Administration (SBA) and play vital roles in the small business ecosystem across metropolitan St. Louis. Over the last year, Justine PETERSEN staffers have provided free workshops and webinars to SCORE’s client base, offering instruction on topics such as credit building and access to capital.

Pictured is SCORE St. Louis Bi-State Region President Pamela Gilbert with Shawna Collier and Travis Williams of Justine PETERSEN.

25th Anniversary Block Party Pic of the Week!

This week we’re launching a weekly photo series in The JP UP date that features pix from our epic 25th Anniversary Block Party held on August 4th. Our inaugural pic includes JP Founder and CEO Robert Boyle with Congresswoman Cori Bush.

CONGRATS Rob on 25 years of making it happen! And THANK YOU Congresswoman Bush for celebrating with us!