The largest not-for-profit business directory in the Tampa Bay area
TBAABD PURPOSE
The Tampa Bay Academy of Hope (TBAH) produced an African American Listing directory in 1999 as a fundraiser and to address the need in the African American community to identify and promote African American business ownership and patronage. Through this grass-roots effort led by TBAH’s founder James Evans, over 20,000 copies were distributed throughout the Tampa Bay area over a four-year period.
In 2004, following feedback from the community and a cost analysis of that Listing Directory, local individuals, agencies and organizations forged a new partnership to address the need for economic development within the African American community. A steering committee was formed to refine and expand the concept to raise additional funds for the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope and serve the Tampa Bay area in a more meaningful way. The key objectives are to:
- Provide African American-owned registered businesses (51+% ownership) within Hillsborough County a listing in the directory. Their listing will be free of charge.
- Advertising opportunities will be available to all Tampa Bay Businesses – public, private, non-profit and churches.
- Nearly 100,000 directories will be published and distributed to registered African American voters within Hillsborough County, and made available to public and private companies, organizations, churches and governmental agencies.
Tampa Bay African American Business Directory
Executive Committee
Dianne Gholston, TBAH Community Director
James Marcus Evans, Acting Chair, TBAH Founder