February is Black History Month, a time to note the contributions that African-Americans have made to our culture and history. Since this is a business journal, we are adding our perspective by creating Black Entrepreneurs Month. In this issue and the next one dated Feb. 15, we are highlighting Valley area Black business owners and founders who, thanks to their efforts, are contributing to our economic dynamism and diversity. As you will see on the following pages, their stories are different in many ways. For example, the coronavirus pandemic hurt some of them, helped a few and even created one of them. But their stories are similar in one way: All those featured on the next few pages were bitten by the entrepreneurial bug – absolutely driven to go out on their own, do things their way and prove themselves on the field of competition. The chance to be an entrepreneur is among the greatest privileges this country has to offer, said Richard Herron of Construction Concern in Newhall. “To be your own leader, forge your own way and be judged by your accomplishments is a true measure of who you are.”
