BLACK BUSINESSES MATTER WEST MICHIGAN – FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE!
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 Our Black, White, Latino, Asian, Jewish, Muslim, LGBTQ, and our Native American communities must stand together to defeat discrimination and racism in any form or fashion.  Join us in our fight for justice! ​

-          HAVE YOU HEARD THE ALLEGATIONS?
-          HAVE YOU SEEN THE STATISTICS?
-          HAVE YOU WONDERED WHY?

The information obtained from polls and studies has stayed consistent and many national media outlets have continued to publish the information in the form of articles, yet no change has been put into place and year after year, the findings continue to seem unchanged.
 
Grand Rapids, MI. continues to be one of the worst cities in the United States for African Americans and Black business owners.  Although we at Black Business Matters of West Michigan have always advocated for change, we have now determined that it is necessary to expand our efforts in informing and engaging the public to bring to light the injustices that have caused our developing & expanding city to remain incapable of reaching its full potential; the title, One  of  the  Country’s Worst Cities for African Americans, is a stain on our great city.  We begin to wonder why our citizens have not moved for change, and we are concerned that our citizens do not know the stories,  they  don’t know the alleged facts, they  don’t  know  that  a problem exists that requires immediate remedy.  Well, BBMWM is here, in conjunction with our billboard on Wealthy Street, to inform all viewers of the alleged facts along with what you can do to help work for the change our city needs so that it can finally begin to develop and grow to its full capacity and potential. 

There have been social, political, historical, and economic influences that have caused our city to be among the worst for Black owned businesses.  These adverse influences are experienced in many cities in the Midwest; however, Grand Rapids has experienced an additional, unique adverse influence that has ensured our city remains as one of the worst for Black owned businesses.  Mercantile Bank has allegedly discriminated against Black business owners by seeking them out to engage in loan relationships and then calling in the loans, forcing many individuals to file for bankruptcy.  Ten black business owners, who had loans with Mercantile, sued the bank after they all allegedly experienced discriminatory treatment that left them with nothing and the bank with everything.  

The story of each plaintiff is unique, yet they all share similar details and shared experiences.  During the lawsuits, which began in 2013 and were all 10 dismissed in late 2016, much information  was  unveiled  that  strengthened  the  plaintiffs’ claims; the following was found: Racist E-Mails, Internal  Watch  Lists,  Expert  Analysis’,  the  SEC  Strategy,  and  Mercantile  Bank’s  Community Reinvestment Act.  With all of this, it came as a big surprise to BBMWM when we saw that all the cases were dismissed, for statute of limitations – meaning that the plaintiffs waited too long before they sued the bank.  Some of the plaintiffs have continued the legal process and are currently appealing this Court decision.  Our city is being held back by  banks and it needs to stop.  Black owned businesses were forced to close because Mercantile was not willing to work with the borrowers.  And now, when several similarly wronged individuals employ all legal avenues available at their disposal, they are shut down and tossed away by the courts, just like they were by Mercantile. 

BBMWM feels for these individuals and we find it difficult to sit idle while this injustice continues.  How will our city ever be removed from the unwelcome list  of  “America’s  Worst  Cities  for African Americans” when we cannot even fix this systematic wrong that has been present for so long?  Despite possible appeals, all available legal avenues have failed for the plaintiffs.  What we will do now is all we can do, we will share the story.  We encourage our viewers to share the story too.  You can also write  or  call  Mercantile’s  Board  of  Directors and Shareholders and share your opinions with them.  You can also write or call various news sources to request they cover this story.  Additionally, you can file a complaint against the bank with the FDIC.  If this information is new to you, we encourage you to explore additional media sources located below, and inform yourself as much as possible to help become an advocate for change.  Be the change.  


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-         The bank created a CRA committee that decided to increase minority lending.  Pat Julien set up plaintiffs with loans.  
-         Pat Julien is named Minority Financial Advocate of the year and approves many loans.  Then, Pat Julien decides to retire. 
-         Mercantile’s  CEO  decides,  as  documented  in  emails,  that  the  bank  will  allegedly  stop loaning  to  “black  people.” 
-         Mercantile pulled loans on all the plaintiffs and plaintiffs lose everything. 
-         Mercantile later admits in  their  SEC  report  that  they  had  made  a  “concerted  effort”  to  reduce  the  number  of  loans.   
-         Plaintiffs file lawsuits against Mercantile. 
-         Racist Emails between Bank officials are unveiled.  
-         Experts find that: out of all borrowers on the watchlist reports, 44% of whites had adverse action taken while 100% of blacks had adverse action taken.   
-         The lawsuits are dismissed. 
-         Mercantile’s CEO, Michael Price, retires. 
-         WHEN WILL THERE BE JUSTICE? 
​Black Perspective is a syndicated televised and online show.  The program is designed to address the concerns of Black Americans with unique perspectives often unaddressed on various issues.  The show topics of discussions include social, political, and economic issues addressed by various professionals in the field.  Check us out on WXSP Channel 18 every Thursday at 7 PM in West Michigan, or episodes online on this website.

​Stay Tuned For Much More Information. Jobless Economy!!!!