Columbia leader talks ways to support minority-owned businesses

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As the Black Lives Matter movement continues to put the focus on lifting up minority communities, one Columbia leader said there are simple ways to help within the city.

James Whitt, the Director of Supplier Diversity Program Development, said minority-owned businesses are essential for Columbia because of the jobs and services they provide.

Whitt said supporting those businesses by shopping with them or using their services helps the wider community of Columbia become an ally to the city's minority communities.

"We've got a vibrant business community here in Columbia and we want to do more to focus on our minority-owned businesses," Whitt said. "That's a key part of Columbia really being successful, you know, to help those businesses to grow."

According to a directory on the city's website, there are more than 200 minority-owned businesses across the city.

Whitt said the city is working to update that directory to reflect which businesses may have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.