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Cocoa proclaims August National Black Business Month; Space Coast Black Chamber urges action
Summary
Mayor Michael C. Blake proclaimed August 2025 as National Black Business Month and invited Space Coast Black Chamber leaders to accept the recognition; the chamber speaker highlighted disparities in federal contracting and urged continued advocacy and support for Black business owners.
Cocoa — The City Council recognized August as National Black Business Month on July 15 as Mayor Michael C. Blake read a proclamation honoring historic and contemporary achievements of Black entrepreneurs and the economic role of Black-owned businesses in Cocoa.
A representative of the Space Coast Black Chamber thanked the council and described the chamber's local incorporation in Cocoa. In remarks to the council the speaker framed the month as both celebration and a call to action: "Black Business Month was created in 2004 ... to bring attention to the needs of more than 2,000,000 Black owned businesses operating across America," the speaker said. The speaker cited recent federal data, stating, "According to recent federal data in fiscal year 2020, $640,000,000 in federal contracts were set aside for minority owned businesses ... 78% went to white woman owned businesses, while only 1.5% went to black owned businesses," and urged continuing advocacy to expand procurement access and opportunities for Black entrepreneurs.
Mayor Blake and council members applauded the chamber and thanked the group for its local efforts. The proclamation will be part of the city's recognition of businesses and civic groups during August.
