Good morning Orange, Texas!   For the next couple of weeks I am going to highlight some of the black-owned businesses here in Orange, Texas. Every Wednesday in my column, a business owner will be recognized and praised for their hard work.

I have to say I am really excited about this and look forward to sharing some of the great work I’ve seen our entrepreneurs do out there.

For the past four months, I have observed certain black-owned businesses. I have followed them and see what they have done not only for themselves financially, but in their city.  I have been observing what they do for the City of Orange and how they give back.

It is very important that businesses understand it is important to give back and represent themselves in a positive way. The businesses I will be high lighting will be people who are positive, led by an aggressive drive to excel, and who put the people of the community FIRST.

I want to focus on black-owned businesses because we have a lot of businesses in Orange, Texas who are not being recognized for what they do. We do not know they even exist. Why is that? you may ask. Because we have lived in a city where we have not acknowledged and supported all of the black –owned businesses in Orange, Texas.

It should not be about who is the most popular, or who generates the most money, or who has more control of a certain market. But we as a people, as a UNIT should learn to support everyone and give recognition to the great businesses who are there for us.

So with that being said again, every week I will highlight a black owned business so we can help support them and motivate them. I am so excited for this new venture and to all of my business leaders, I am proud of you. Thank you for the time and effort you put in your business daily to supply us as a city.

Mary Ekene/ The Institution of Performance Arts Orange, TX