Groupon, the trusted local marketplace where consumers go to buy services and experiences that make life more interesting and deliver boundless value, is teaming up with rising social media star Shermann “Dilla” Thomas (@6figga_dilla on TikTok) to help consumers discover and patronize, Black-owned businesses in their hometown of Chicago and across the country during August’s National Black Business Month. The annual celebration of Black-owned businesses began in 2014 and this year’s event comes at a time when macroeconomic challenges such as inflation, workforce shortages and supply chain disruptions exacerbate the strain that minority-owned businesses were already facing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Groupon is teaming up with rising social media star Shermann “Dilla” Thomas (@6figga_dilla on TikTok) to help consumers discover and patronize, Black-owned businesses in their hometown of Chicago and across the country during August’s National Black Business Month. (Photo: Business Wire)
In 2020, Groupon saw a 400% increase in search traffic for the term “Black-owned” and wants to leverage this consumer interest into sustained growth for minority- and women-owned businesses. As a result of the company’s 2021 National Black Business Month campaign, these businesses saw a 23% increase in traffic impressions and an 8% increase in units sold.
Chicago’s Original Tech Company and “TikTok Historian” Team Up for Black Business
Groupon and Dilla – who is known as Chicago’s “TikTok Historian” for the tours he conducts of predominantly Black neighborhoods on Chicago’s South Side – are working together to promote and champion Black businesses throughout the United States on the Groupon marketplace and social media.
“At Groupon, we believe that strong, small businesses lead to vibrant, healthy communities. While we’re encouraged by the early results of our diverse merchant campaigns, we know there’s much more work to be done,” said Jennifer Beugelmans, Groupon’s Chief Communications Officer and executive sponsor of the company’s Blacks and Allies employee resource group. “This is why we’re throwing our support behind opportunities to uplift and showcase Black entrepreneurs. We share Dilla’s passion and commitment to telling the stories of underserved communities. That's why we're so excited to drive economic development by helping these small business owners reach new audiences.”
Mr. Thomas, who began Chicago Mahogany Tours in 2021, is devoted to telling the story of Chicago’s Black history and showcasing important community landmarks to this generation. His bi-weekly bus tour is available for purchase on Groupon and has taken guests to the DuSable Museum of African American History, the Wabash YMCA (the birthplace of Black History Month), childhood homes of iconic Black Chicagoans, Pilgrim Baptist Church (the birthplace of gospel music) and so much more.
“As a Black entrepreneur, I appreciate the platform that National Black Business Month provides me and others to tell our stories about why we decided to launch our own businesses. Behind every business, there is a human being who turned their dream into a reality. What we’ve seen over the past few years is that these businesses –– particularly those that are Black-owned –– don't have the same access to the resources and support needed to make ends meet during these tough economic times,” said Shermann “Dilla'' Thomas. “I’m excited to team up with Groupon to provide a bigger platform to them during the month of August and create a lasting boost of support!”
Groupon has a curated collection of Black-owned businesses across the United States and will feature these merchants across Groupon’s merchandising channels throughout the month of August. Groupon will keep the collection live throughout the year to give consumers the opportunity to make supporting these businesses part of their everyday routine. To find Black-owned businesses that you can support in your community, please visit gr.pn/celebrate.
In addition to the company’s collaboration with Mr. Thomas, Groupon is supporting Black-owned businesses in additional ways, including:
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About Groupon: Groupon (NASDAQ: GRPN) is a trusted local marketplace where consumers go to buy services and experiences that make life more interesting and deliver boundless value.
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Groupon
Alia Lewis
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PR
Tricia Sylvia
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