Despite African-Americans’ $1 trillion buying power, which is expected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2017, 25.8% of our population is still living in poverty according to a Census report on poverty rates by race. Diminishing the poverty that plagues our communities is no overnight project, but there are things we can do now to speed the process. One small but effectual step we can all take is upping our support for Black businesses. As you shell out the Benjamins this Holiday season, and hereafter, make a conscious effort to buy Black. Black Enterprise magazine and BlackEnterprise.com are great go-to sources for everything from Black designers to Black tech companies. Take a look at our BE Buy Black Holiday Gift Guide: Part One on the following pages and give the gift that’ll keep on giving.