Build Black Daily was Founded by Speaker, Strategist and Community Advocate Russell Drake in October 2020. For the last 16 years, Mr. Drake has shared Black History Facts Everyday in February on Social Media outlets in honor of Black History Month (BHM). In 2020 he decided it was time for an upgrade (BHM Upgrade) and decided to support a Black Owned Business every day of the month. Nearing the end of February, he had too many businesses to stop; so kept going all the way through March, April, Summer, Fall, Winter and made it a whole 366 days of the initiative. – February 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021.
BHMUpgrade pushed the narrative of spending Black Earned Dollars at Black Owned Business consistently and not just as a ceremonial gesture once or twice a year. The encouragement of groups like the African American Chamber of Commerce and Black Business Orlando further fueled the effort and as forged informal and formal connections of colleagues in entrepreneurship.
Every experience and interaction in the journey was rewarding. Mr. Drake featured businesses based in apartments as well as those based in warehouse sized buildings, those in existence for 4 days to 40 years, those that have staff of 1 to those with staff of 31. He has lended a hand in painting walls, sweeping floors, locking up and moving furniture at different businesses. He has talked with owners well after business hours to help provide encouragement, and has sat with established owners for hours to receive knowledge and motivation. EVERY venture has been Memorable and has life changing for the better.
Russell Drake sincerely thanks his family, community partners, advocates, business owners and dear friends & supporters for the opportunity to shed light on a small array of talent in Black Owned Businesses
Mid way through the journey, Mr. Drake realized that the effort was bigger than a seasonal initiative and derived the notion of BUILD BLACK DAILY.
The intent is to motivate, elevate and advocate for Building Black Daily in the Economic, Social, Educational , Civic sense; keeping ECONOMICS at the Top.
The Building starts in our households, extends to our families, friends, colleagues, associates, mentees, church members and beyond. We are Building Upward on Every Front. #LetsBuild