Thousands of tourists visit Harlem on a yearly basis, generating millions of dollars for the black owned businesses within the community. But as the millennium progresses, change will began to transform the face of business. Corporations such as Harlem USA will utilize $12.5 million in tax subsidies in order to implement large businesses like Old Navy and HMV records. How will this new social economic model effect the small businesses that have been in Harlem for more than 20 years?

Owner of Dee's Cards N Wedding Services, Delores Solomon, was able to address the many concerns in regards to the future of small Black owned businesses.Dee's Cards N Wedding Service located at 480 Lenox Avenue appears to be one of the few Black owned businesses to remain on the 400 block. " The positive aspect of Harlem USA is that big businesses will bring more clientele into the communities but in contrast, the smaller business in Harlem will not be able to compete with the larger inventory that big business maintain," said Solomon.

Solomon made it clear that beginning in 1990, non-black owned business began to establish in the community and now occupy a large percentage of the stores and restaurants in the community. According to Solomon, every ethnic group supports their own businesses with exception of blacks. " We need to support our black owned business because if change continues, than 5-10 years from now the core of business will be 90% White and Asian owned," said Solomon.

The Harlem native explained that she faces additional obstacles considering that the majority of her customers consist of elderly people. "I have always had an older crowd because the younger generation is able to utilize software that creates the material sold in my store, there's no need to shop in my store when individuals can use the computer to access material from home," said Solomon.

Solomon has been in business for 30 years in October and plays a very active role in her community as acting President of the Sister health Care Coalition of Harlem. Solomon explained that the black youth are taking advantage of the educational system but they're not returning to their neighborhoods once they graduate from college. "Instead, black college graduates from Harlem are seeking a life that their parents could not provide by moving to the suburbs and shopping downtown," said Solomon.

Although blacks are finally taking advantage of the educational system, it's important that the ethnic qualities are perserved within the black communities. Black college graduates are encouraged to expand their horizons, but need to help enhance communities where they were raised, making the world a better place for the black youth that follow.