Number 339 August 22nd, 2025 St. Louis
August is Black Business Month: Let’s Celebrate, Support, and Uplift
This month, we are honoring National Black Business Month, a time to celebrate the strength, legacy, and influence of Black-owned businesses throughout the nation. For over a century, Black entrepreneurship has been a significant force in shaping the American economy, and it continues to make a lasting impact today.
The roots of this movement can be traced back to visionaries like Booker T. Washington, who founded the National Negro Business League in 1900 to champion Black economic empowerment. Out of these efforts grew thriving communities such as Tulsa’s Black Wall Street, which became enduring symbols of prosperity, innovation, and resilience in the face of systemic barriers.
In 2004, National Black Business Month was officially created to celebrate the accomplishments of Black-owned businesses and encourage more investment in these enterprises. It highlights the significance of economic equity and the collective strength of community-driven growth.
This month, we encourage you to take action by supporting local Black-owned businesses, hiring Black professionals, or amplifying their work on social media. Every choice you make helps honor the past, strengthen the present, and build the future of Black entrepreneurship.
Freddie Lee’s Ghetto Sauce
Gulf Shores Restaurant & Grill
Join us, your neighbors, and communities across the nation in honoring Black Business Month. Together, we can build a stronger, more inclusive economy, one that reflects the full diversity and talent of our country.
Many Black-owned businesses in St. Louis are clients. We encourage you to explore these establishments for their food, hair care, entertainment, and retail offerings.
Revolutionizing Construction: The Module Building Systems Journey
When Mark Turnbull founded Module Building Systems (MBS), he wasn’t just starting a construction company—he was leading a movement to rethink how we build communities. Guided by innovation, sustainability, and social impact, Mark set out to solve today’s housing and infrastructure challenges: affordability, efficiency, and resilience.
Photo courtesy of www.modulebuildingsystems.com
MBS’s core is its advanced panelized system, using post-tension connections and off-site manufacturing to create high-quality, cost-effective buildings. From disaster relief shelters to affordable housing, MBS builds faster, uses fewer resources, and ensures lasting construction.
To achieve his vision, Mark sought out partners. Initially, he needed working capital to scale operations and meet growing demand. Although traditional lenders offered financing, their terms could restrict growth. Instead, Mark turned to Justine Petersen, whose mission-driven lending provided affordable capital at better rates. This allowed him to invest in equipment, hire a workforce, and establish a presence at the Monarch Innovation Center.
Photo courtesy of www.modulebuildingsystems.com
Today, MBS is thriving. The company has established strong alliances with transformative partners, including Ranken Technical College for workforce training, St. Louis University for research and development, and the St. Louis Development Corporation, which awarded MBS a $5 million New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation and a $1 million state appropriation. These relationships, along with key legal, financial, and development partners, have helped position MBS at the forefront of modular construction in the Midwest and beyond.
Photo courtesy of www.modulebuildingsystems.com
MBS’s work is more than panels and permits, it’s about people. Each modular unit manufactured is a step toward a more equitable and resilient housing landscape. The company’s proprietary technology and scalable model have already begun to attract real estate developers, municipal agencies, and nonprofit organizations eager to implement innovative, cost-effective solutions.
As MBS continues to grow, it remains rooted in its founding principles: innovation, sustainability, and community. And with visionary leadership from Mark Turnbull, and early support from organizations like Justine PETERSEN.
Drive To Success!
Upcoming Events
The Ignite Illinois Webinar Series is going strong!
To register, go to bit.ly/46n1w8i. All are welcome!
We have gone on a quick break! Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Did you know, in countries like Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal, it is common for businesses to slow down or pause operations during August?
Thank you for your patience and your inquiries. We have paused the intake of new loan applications until September 2nd. However, our credit-building sessions, counseling, and Lunch and Learn events have continued as scheduled during this time.
Thank you so much for being the best part of Justine PETERSEN!
Making Your Way to a Wonderful Financial Future!
The My Credit Compass Program is a 12-month membership designed to enhance credit awareness for entrepreneurs and help manage their FICO® Score. Through your Experian® CreditCenterTM subscription, you’ll access a dashboard to view your FICO® Score anytime without impacting it.
How Credit Compass and Save2Build work together to improve your credit and help you achieve financial freedom.
While My Credit Compass provides the knowledge and tools to monitor and manage your credit, Save2Build offers a practical way to improve your credit score. Through Justine PETERSEN’s CDFI, Great Rivers Community Capital, eligible clients receive a $300 credit builder loan placed into a locked savings account. Clients repay the loan over 12 months (around $29/month), with payments reported to two credit bureaus. This repayment activity directly supports the credit monitoring and management strategies taught in My Credit Compass.
After a year, clients have not only improved their credit score but also saved $300, which can be used for financial goals like opening a secured credit card, turning credit knowledge into real financial growth.
Benefits:
- Easy-to-use technology with personal support
- Confidence from financial coaching
- Plus, much more!
We’re excited to help you on your savings journey!
Start building your credit today with My Credit Compass and Save2Build!
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Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corporation · 1023 N Grand Blvd · Saint Louis, MO 63106-1641 · USA