Navigating Challenges, Cultivating Growth, and Building Community: The Inspiring Journey of Black Austin® under the Leadership of Anita C. Roberts
Austin, Texas, is renowned for its vibrant cultural scene, live music, diverse culinary options, outdoor activities, and a generally welcoming and laid-back atmosphere. The city is often lauded for its entrepreneurial spirit, boasting a thriving tech industry and a reputation as a hub for creativity and innovation.
However, Austin is grappling with a significant issue—the decline of its African American population, currently standing at 7.9%. Factors contributing to this decline include gentrification, escalating living costs, and a lack of resources for Black Austinites. Gentrification has particularly impacted the Black community, leading to the displacement of long-standing communities, disrupting affordability, and eroding cultural continuity. Moreover, disparities in educational and economic opportunities disproportionately affect Black and other minority communities.
In 2008, after retiring from the military, Anita C. Roberts set out to address these challenges and contribute to building a better, more inclusive, and vibrant Black community. Drawing on the diverse perspectives and experiences within Black communities, she embarked on an uphill battle. Roberts aimed to foster a sense of community in a city where Black business and community professionals were geographically dispersed and faced organizational challenges.
As a retired Army Public Relations and Marketing expert, Roberts leveraged her years of experience cultivating business relationships and engaging with elders in the Black community. In 2011, she founded Black Austin®, a premier Black business and professional ecosystem dedicated to connecting and growing Black businesses while facilitating access to community resources for the geographically dispersed population.
In 2024, out of the 75,208 Black Austinites, Black Austin® boasts a membership group of 20,317 business and community professionals. According to Roberts, the brand has become a household name, highlighting the success of strategic marketing.
Today, we express gratitude to Ms. Roberts for her tireless and sometimes thankless work in creating a positive impact on the Austin, Texas community
Black Business Journal
See more about the Black Austin® business community at blackaustin.org
