The Fresh Prince might have been West Philadelphia born and raised, but after moving to Bel Air, we never saw he or his new family spending any of their money in the predominately black neighborhood.

West Philly’s own residents apparently aren’t doing such a good job of keeping black money in their community either.

Philadelphia’s ABC 6 News reports that many residents hope a new initiative will help change that.

According to community activist Michael Rashid, “On average, a dollar earned by a black worker stays in the black community for only six hours.”

The iBuyBlack Discount Card is meant to make black dollars linger in West Philadelphia a little longer.

The neighborhood is full of black-owned businesses. ABC 6 spoke to the owner of a fruit store/juice bar, a gentleman who runs a flower stand and a man who operates a printing company.

James Ockimey, who lives in West Philadelphia, told the station that he goes out of his way to shop at black owned businesses, because he feels that “the only way a black owned business is going to thrive is if we patronize them.”

Jude Arijaje, the owner of the print shop, added that patronizing businesses in your neighborhood helps not only those working hard to make an honest living, but the broader community. “The more customers we have, the more capacity we are able to build. And the more capacity we are able to build, the more people we are able to employ. And the more people we are able to employ, the more we are able to get off the streets.”

Holders of the iBuyBlack card receive up to 15 percent off purchases at participating businesses. As of now, 80 black-owned businesses accept the card, and community leaders hope to expand that number to 500 by year’s end.

If you live in Philadelphia, or are planning to visit, you can sign up for the iBuyBlack card here.

ibuyblack card

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