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For over 11 years, Dr. Kenneth T. Whalum Jr.and his congregation at The New Olivet BaptistChurch have supported local black businesses and

invited others to join them. Bust-A-Move Mondays(BAMM) has been a major community focus project forthe church as it strives to bring economic empowermentto Memphis black business community. Every firstMonday, BAMM supporters patronize a black-ownedbusiness that has been specifically selected. The BAMMinitiative has helped to not only sustain but grow these

businesses, which see an influx of customers and salesas a result.

I got sick and tired of driving down Park Avenueand seeing it look like a war zone, says Whalum. I just got sick of my community, my neighborhoodlooking like crap. I have three grown sons and mygrown sons think that their community is supposedto look like thata whole generation has grown upthinking that black folk cant run anything, that blackfolk cant own businesses in our own community. That

laid a burden on my spirit and I thought, Ive gotdo something.

Driven by these sentiments and inspired

principles outlined in Dr. Claude Andersons boPowerNomics, Whalum created BAMM. Tbooks message aligned with Whalums beliefs aboeconomic revitalization and echoed his faith in black communitys strength.

The concept of power-economics consists combining the essence of power which is the abilto get things done with the essence of economy which is having the financial resources to get thidone, said Whalum. Since there are so many bla

in the United States and most urban areas are majorblack, the key to our economic survival in inner citlies with the black community. This calls for blfolk no matter how poor they are to pool thresources and focus them on specific targets.

Theres also a spiritual component to thiWhalum acknowledges. In the book of Isaiah, Isasays its up to the people of God to restore the cities. using that spiritual foundation, if every church focuon the community they are in and spends money

the black-owned businesses there, we can transfothe economic infrastructure of the city limits 365 days.

Over the years, BAMM has visited a host Memphis black businesses including MakedHomemade Cookies, Graceland Beauty Supply, National Civil Rights Museum Gift Shop, SmootKing and the Memphis Grizzlies, who have two blowners.

I dont know what it has done for oth

but, BAMM has been my confirmation directly frGod, said Telisa Franklin, owner of theThats Love Florist shop.

Similarly, Tamika Heard, ownerof Makedas Homemade Cookies, was visited by BAMM in June 2010, andreceived 369 new patrons on that dayalone. BAMM is a wonderful catalystfor the success and growth of black-owned businesses, she said. It

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was an awesome experience. The love that was shownwas incredible. People are still coming in because theyheard about us through BAMM.

Whalum has long seen the value of economicempowerment. Growing up, he was instilled withgreat pride in his community and a legacy of blackentrepreneurship. Ive got support for black businessesin my blood, he said, pulling out a framed clipping fromthe November 21, 1926 edition of The Negro BusinessBooster, which was run by his grandfather in the 1920s.The clipping features a headline reading: Why PatronizeNegro Businesses. Im still crying the same cry, saysWhalum, as he looks over the fragile page.

Whalum is involved in several other initiativesthat promote politics, education and economicempowerment. He staunchly supports the youth groupMemphis Youth Manifesto, penned a book about thehiphop generation titled Hiphop is Not Our Enemy,and currently sits on the Memphis City School Board.

The Olivet Incubation and Training Center (OITC)represents the culmination of BAMM. Positioned ablock away from the New Olivet Baptist Church, thebusiness incubator opened in May of 2010 to helpexisting small businesses and support future business

owners. Current tenants include Beautiful Me Salonand the soul food restaurant Rubys Sizzling Skillet.

To get into OITC, you have to sign a three- year agreementyou haveto agree to counseling and

training, monitoring,stringent financial

accountability and youmust also agree that after

we help you get off your feet,you will relocate into the innercity, said Whalum. Whenyou move out of OITC, youregoing to be in Orange Moundor Bing Hampton or SouthMemphis or Whitehaven. If were going to help you getstarted, youre going to finishout there with the people.

Very few people take part in economempowerment, notes Whalum, Which means transfer of resources into the hands of the people wtake advantage of economic development. WhI open a business with a city loan and with cert waivers from the city, county and licensing agenc

I take advantage of economic development, but I neconomic empowerment to help me succeed and result in my participation in economic development

The BAMM initiative, which avoids conflof interest by prohibiting visits to the businestablishments of New Olivet members, plans institute an internal Better Business Bureau in 20 which will certify black-owned businesses operatwith excellence and high quality.

Whalums is a vision of inclusiveness. You d

have to be a Christian for us to bust a move on yobusiness. You can be a Muslim, you can be an atheisdont care what your religious beliefs are, said Whalu who is concerned with overall uplift in Mempneighborhoods. There is no effective ministry tis limited to the four walls of the building. Evsignificant social movement in the world was spawnby the activity, in one form or another, of a religiofigure. If you want to fulfill your calling, you cantcomfortable. You must speak truth to power.