About Us

The Black Austin® business and cultural ecosystem was founded in 2008 by Anita C. Roberts, a marketing and public relations executive who spent more than 20 years as a PR military officer, combat veteran, and retired member of President Obama’s inaugural PR team.

After military retirement, Anita felt the enormous void and lack of resources, services, and connections for the geographically dispersed Black community. This inspired her to create a proprietary cultural and business ecosystem she named Black Austin®, similar to the Dallas Black ecosystem.

Unbeknownst to Anita, she would be at the forefront of changing the story for Black Austinites. Today, the Black Austin® brand is a household name (and often imitated). But make no mistake, Anita’s work was the catalyst and spark needed for a new generation, inspiring countless other community organizations and companies.