February is Black History Month, a time when many remember and celebrate important people and events in our local community and history.WPBF 25 is highlighting some of those struggles and successes.Black-owned businesses play a key role in our economy.Georgia Mae’s Restaurant opened its West Palm Beach location about two years ago.Before that, the owner, Boris Seymore, or “Chef Boris,” said he was catering.The business is named after his grandmother.The menu has a familial theme.There’s Georgia Mae’s Fried Chicken, Auntie Loretta’s Oxtails, and Fat Harry’s Pork Chops.”One of our favorites is the Little Lynn’s Catfish,” Seymore said. “That’s named after my grandfather Lynn Caldwell.”Family means everything to Chef Boris; it’s something he had in mind when he started his business.”I just wanted to create some generational wealth because that’s a big thing that’s lacking in our culture,” Seymore said. “So, I know it has to start with us in order to change. It only changes if you change it, so I decided to build a brand off of my grandmother because I know she would be proud of me.”According to the Pew Research Center:In 2021, there were 161,031 U.S. firms with majority Black ownershipA notable increase from 124,004 in 2017Only about 3% of all U.S. firms are classified by raceKeely Gideon-Taylor is the president of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County.The chamber provides support, resources, and promotes the growth of Black-owned businesses. We asked her where Florida ranks.”Florida ranks number one in the number of Black businesses, and what that means is we are key to employment and payroll,” Gideon-Taylor said. “We contribute about $2.36 million to the payroll.”She says membership has nearly tripled since 2010, and members provide everything from professional services to health care and construction.”These businesses are not only important for the Black community, but these services are something all our general community can take advantage of,” Gideon-Taylor said.The chamber will honor 16 businesses and professionals at the Ascension Award Ceremony on February 22nd, and Chef Boris is one of the nominees.”It feels amazing,” Seymore said. “Not everybody can do this, and so when you see yourself a step above of other people in the field, that means you’re doing something right.”Together: Project CommUNITY
February is Black History Month, a time when many remember and celebrate important people and events in our local community and history.
WPBF 25 is highlighting some of those struggles and successes.
Black-owned businesses play a key role in our economy.
Georgia Mae’s Restaurant opened its West Palm Beach location about two years ago.
Before that, the owner, Boris Seymore, or “Chef Boris,” said he was catering.
The business is named after his grandmother.
The menu has a familial theme.
There’s Georgia Mae’s Fried Chicken, Auntie Loretta’s Oxtails, and Fat Harry’s Pork Chops.
“One of our favorites is the Little Lynn’s Catfish,” Seymore said. “That’s named after my grandfather Lynn Caldwell.”
Family means everything to Chef Boris; it’s something he had in mind when he started his business.
“I just wanted to create some generational wealth because that’s a big thing that’s lacking in our culture,” Seymore said. “So, I know it has to start with us in order to change. It only changes if you change it, so I decided to build a brand off of my grandmother because I know she would be proud of me.”
According to the Pew Research Center:
- In 2021, there were 161,031 U.S. firms with majority Black ownership
- A notable increase from 124,004 in 2017
- Only about 3% of all U.S. firms are classified by race
Keely Gideon-Taylor is the president of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County.
The chamber provides support, resources, and promotes the growth of Black-owned businesses. We asked her where Florida ranks.
“Florida ranks number one in the number of Black businesses, and what that means is we are key to employment and payroll,” Gideon-Taylor said. “We contribute about $2.36 million to the payroll.”
She says membership has nearly tripled since 2010, and members provide everything from professional services to health care and construction.
“These businesses are not only important for the Black community, but these services are something all our general community can take advantage of,” Gideon-Taylor said.
The chamber will honor 16 businesses and professionals at the Ascension Award Ceremony on February 22nd, and Chef Boris is one of the nominees.
“It feels amazing,” Seymore said. “Not everybody can do this, and so when you see yourself a step above of other people in the field, that means you’re doing something right.”
Together: Project CommUNITY
