Organization Launches Universal Discount Card to Promote Small Business.

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Topeka, KS (PRWEB) May 28, 2006 -- IBSA, Inc., a nonprofit organization that assist African American business owners have launched a 'Discount Card' that provides incentives to shop in their businesses. The Ujamaa Discount Card was created to provide our business partners and individual supporters another opportunity to benefit from supporting our agency" says Lazone Grays, President and CEO of the company.

One of the feature concepts is that the organization is looking to utilize African American youth and young adults as its saleforce. By providing them residual commissions per sale, the agency says it allows them to meet several missions of promoting youth entrepreneurship and supporting the development of Black-owned businesses. With Black youth unemployment being at an all-time high, "it is imperative that we create new opportunities that re-connect our youth to the community over the long-term" says Grays. In neighborhoods across the United States, there are many small Black businesses that can't afford the advertising costs associated with building a brand name for their company. The Ujamaa Discount Card allows IBSA an opportunity to aggressively promote Black business development; as well as providing an opportunity for people to save money when shopping at selected businesses in their community or as they travel. The agency is focusing efforts on restaurants, salons and other retail stores that cater predominately to the African American community.

The Ujamaa Discount Card cost $75.00 a year for businesses to participate and they receive two Ujamaa Card(s) and one 'Window Sticker' to identify their business to other cardholders that they are in the network and provide discounts. Ujamaa Cards are $25.00 a year for individuals.

As of 2005, African Americans spent over $700 billion on discretionary spending, with less than 2 percent being spent with other Black-owned businesses. "This spending 'deficit' has created an environment whereas Black businesses don't grow to create jobs; which aggregates unemployment in neighborhoods and communities" said Grays in a recent interview. "To strike a balance, it is up to African Americans to create new products and services in the community, and we must begin playing an active role in job or income creation".

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