Business Bio/History
Deloris Black
Deloris Black, President/Publisher began publishing the Tennessee Black Pages, (formerly the Black Yellow Pages) in 1989. Black got the idea to publish a minority business directory when her 89 year old uncle, who had moved to Nashville from Michigan, requested she take him to a barbershop. Realizing she did not know where any minority owned shops were in the city, she began work that would birth the new directory.
Twenty five years ago Black stepped out on faith to fulfill the vision she had been given and in return; a minority directory circulated the Nashville community. Tennessee Black Pages was filled with minority businesses, corporate advertisements, and historical data that inspired patrons to read the directory throughout; much like a magazine. Black’s Nashville Metropolitan Black Yellow Pages was very well received in the community and people were amazed to see this vast representation of local minority businesses. Several years later, she would change the name to Tennessee Black Pages.
The Tennessee Black Pages has received numerous awards for its contribution to the community and the publication became the only minority business directory in the local market.
In 1995 Black Pages Publishers met in Chicago to form an organization called the National Black Pages Publishers Association. The first conference was held in Nashville and the publishers were welcomed to the city by Senator Thelma Harper, Rep. Brenda Gilmore, Dr. James Heffner (former President of Tennessee State University) and many other business owners in the community. Two years later Publisher Deloris Black became the President of the National Black Pages Publishers Association. Subsequently, the organization held a four day conference twice a year in cities all over the country and in Canada.
Under the umbrella of the Tennessee Black Pages, Publisher Black revived the Black Expo which was held at the former mall at 100 Oaks. After 2 years the expo was relocated to the former Hickory Hollow Mall. This was the first time an event had ever been held within the local malls and again it was well received.
Deloris Black has received many awards for her success including; The R H. Boyd Minority Business Women of the Year Award, the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women Award, the Temple Agape Award, she was named one of Nashville’s most influential Black women in Tennessee are just a few of her accolades. She has appeared on many talks shows and radio shows, “the Talk of the Town, The Dr. Haney Morning show, 92Q and WVOL”.
After 25 years of publishing and becoming a mainstay in the Nashville and surrounding communities, Black retired her office of President and Publisher of the Tennessee Black Pages and passed the torch to her protégé and former Executive Assistant, Tunisia Scott. Not wanting to sell her publication to just anyone, Black entrusted the sale of her legacy and commitment of her mission to her trusted colleague and friend. When one of Black’s most faithful former employees, who had worked side by side with her, expressed interest in purchasing the directory, Black was overjoyed.
Upon purchasing the directory, Scott changed the name to the Tennessee Minority Pages in order to broaden its reach in the minority community. With Scott’s understanding of the mission of the directory and the community it serves, she will maintain the vision and carry it to new heights. As former President and Publisher, Deloris Black enjoys her retirement, she will remain on the Board of the Tennessee Minority Pages and aid in the progress of new owner, Tunisia Scott.
Scott looks forward to the charge of “Where Legacy meets New Generation” and taking Tennessee Black Pages to the next level.