The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is spotlighting National Black Business Month this August.

Illinois is home to more than 148,000 Black-owned businesses, which employ around 196,000 people and contribute $4.6 billion annually to the state’s economy.

The DCEO is commemorating this month through an array of online and face-to-face events led by the Office of Minority Economic Empowerment.

These initiatives aim to celebrate and support Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs across the state while also promoting economic growth and community engagement. Details on these initiatives are available on the DCEO website at https://dceo.illinois.gov/bbm2024.html.