Black Americans make up close to 14 percent of the US population. But only about three percent of U.S. businesses are Black-owned. That’s according to the 2023 Annual Business Survey, which is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics.

August is National Black Business Month, so we are spotlighting some of the Black entrepreneurs right here in Connecticut who have found success despite underrepresentation. We'll hear from the owners of a wide range of businesses— a bookstore, a construction company and a real estate development firm.

GUESTS:


Karin Smith: co-owner of Kindred Thoughts Bookstore, an independent, Black-owned bookstore in Bridgeport.


Vincencia “Vee” Adusei: Owner and Founder of VASE Construction, which is based in New Haven.


Yves Joseph: CEO and Co-Founder of RJ Development, a real estate development company based in New Haven.

For more of CT Public’s coverage of National Black Business Month, you can visit the Black Voices page on our website.

Black Americans make up close to 14 percent of the US population. But only about three percent of U.S. businesses are Black-owned. That&rsquo;s according to the <a href="https://data.census.gov/table/ABSCB2022.AB2200CSCB02?q=AB2200*&amp;hidePreview=true&amp;nkd=QDESC~B01">2023 Annual Business Survey</a>, which is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics.
August is National Black Business Month, so we are spotlighting some of the Black entrepreneurs right here in Connecticut who have found success despite underrepresentation. We'll hear from the owners of a wide range of businesses&mdash; a bookstore, a construction company and a real estate development firm.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Karin Smith: co-owner of Kindred Thoughts Bookstore, an independent, Black-owned bookstore in Bridgeport.
</li>
<li>
Vincencia &ldquo;Vee&rdquo; Adusei: Owner and Founder of VASE Construction, which is based in New Haven.
</li>
<li>
Yves Joseph: CEO and Co-Founder of RJ Development, a real estate development company based in New Haven.
</li>
</ul>
For more of CT Public&rsquo;s coverage of National Black Business Month, you can visit the <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/black-voices">Black Voices page</a> on our website.

Disrupted is about the changes we all encounter and the forces driving those changes. Some disruptions spark joy and possibility. Others move us to take action and re-evaluate our world. But the show isn't just about those disruptions; it’s about embracing them, exploring new perspectives, and feeling more connected to ourselves and our communities. Host and political scientist Khalilah Brown-Dean creates a place where changemakers come together to help us see the world differently and challenge us to grow together.

Visit ctpublic.org/disrupted for more! 

Disrupted is about the changes we all encounter and the forces driving those changes. Some disruptions spark joy and possibility. Others move us to take action and re-evaluate our world. But the show isn't just about those disruptions; it’s about embracing them, exploring new perspectives, and feeling more connected to ourselves and our communities. Host and political scientist Khalilah Brown-Dean creates a place where changemakers come together to help us see the world differently and challenge us to grow together.
Visit <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/disrupted">ctpublic.org/disrupted</a> for more!

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