Vendor Spotlight

VENDOR SPOTLIGHT

1-800-UNITE-US:
UNITING AFRICAN-AMERICAN PROFESSIONALS TO CONSUMERS
ONE BUSINESS AT A TIME
BY VICTORIA HEAD

Following the riots that flared after the Rodney King trial, it was clear to Charles Brister that most of the problems in the Black community stemmed from what he calls “economic anorexia.” Just like an undernourished body that begins to feed upon and destroy itself, our communities were suffering from a lack of financial nourishment. The answer? African-Americans needed to concentrate on spending more of the $2 billion that they normally spend each day, in their own community. This would generate more successful Black-owned businesses, more jobs, stronger families and less crime.

In 1993, entrepreneur Brister, founded 1-800-UNITE-US, with the dream that uniting consumers with Black businesses would support the Black community as a whole. Brister began networking regularly at conferences and conventions like NABHOOD and The Black Business Expo, getting to know people and compiling his list of Black businesses. “Networking worked out pretty well,” says Brister. It gives me a chance to meet people face to face and find out what kind of products and services they provide.” Utilizing his savings, contacts he knew from his past ad sales job, TV advertising and promoting his new concept on Nightline and various radio shows, 1-800-UNITE-US began to take on a life of its own.

Today there are nearly 10,000 businesses being serviced by 1-800-UNITE-US, including cleaners, attorneys, dentists, physicians, travel agents, construction companies, contractors, banks, auto repair, beauty supplies, nail salons, gas stations and more. “It can be difficult to locate an African-American business in the phonebook as we have no name recognition. Asian or Hispanic businesses are easier to locate as the names Rodriquez or Suzuki are easier to identify,” Brister explains. With 1-800-UNITE-US, customers can call in and get connected with Black-owned businesses 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Once a customer goes on our web site (www.uniteus.com) or telephones the number (1-800-UNITE-US), they’ll be able to locate the business of their choosing; getting the name of the business, a description, as well as an address and phone number

Brister proudly recalls his first telephone customer. “It was a woman who wanted to purchase a new carpet for her home and desired to contact a Black-owned carpet business. We referred her to a carpet layer and he took on the job. Sometime later, the lady called me back and said that she was very happy with the results.” Brister notes that 1-800-UNITE-US is a win-win situation; not only for the consumer but for the Black business owners as well. “Once they sign up with us, they are very satisfied because they begin to notice a lot of referrals coming their way. We even have a referral service where people can earn money by referring established Black-owned businesses to us.”

Brister can see his business being a guiding light in the future. He wants to continue to grow so that everyone will know about the advantages 1-800-UNITE-US holds for the community. “Spending money in the Black community is paramount, says Brister. We spend more money in a day than the whole country of Canada does. The result of supporting each other with our dollars can only lead to great things. It is a must that African-Americans support one another. It’s time to unite us. A stronger Black America can only lead to a stronger America.”

            Naturally, Brister can be reached at, 1-800-UNITE-US.