Jeffery Beckham and his business partner, Horace Flournoy, founded Black Box Creative INC. with an impressive passion for technology and education in the African American community. Their initial goal in starting the company was to improve the Web presence of companies with enterprise quality design standards at affordable rates. Now the company has set its sights on becoming the premier Web development, mobile application and Internet strategy company in the Midwest. On top of the company’s strategic business goals, Beckham and Flournoy have goals to impact the community as well. The owners not only teach classes in web development, graphic design and social media to companies and individuals seeking to build those skills, they also mentor and volunteer at numerous schools and non-profit organizations throughout the Midwest.
Beckham and Flournoy founded Black Box Creative in 2008, however, the duo have been designing websites since ages 13 and 12, respectively. Black Box Creative helps start-ups and new organizations while sharing their expertise with established companies as well. The company supports philanthropic interests as well such as The Joseph Assignment, The Swish Dreams Foundation, and Perspective’s Charter School.
How did the idea for Black Box Creative come about?
In 2008 my best friend and business partner, Horace Flournoy and I decided to take our passion for technology and business development up a notch. Entrepreneurship is really something that we live and after I’d recently left a sales position we decided that it would be a good idea to turn our passion for technology into a business. We have been friends since 1988 and technology-innovation has been a large part of friendship. As kids we’d come up with video game ideas and as adults we always have challenged each other to come up with the next big thing in the technology-application space.
Who inspires you?
My parents are my inspiration. They have been so influential in my development and have sacrificed a great deal to see to it that I’ve had the opportunities to learn and grown and an individual. They are amazing people who have taught me that financial success is important but not more-so than service and dedication to your family and community.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
One of the greatest accomplishments for our company was working in 2012 with Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation and the LISC Smart Communities Program teaching established business owners and business starters how to use the internet and social media to grow their businesses. The business owners companies were all located in Auburn Gresham, where I lived as a child. I felt it was an opportunity to help a community that I came from. I’m also very proud that Black Box Creative is the official web development company of the Cook County Bar Association. To serve an organization that has been so vital to the African American community for 100 years is something we take great pride in.
Any favorite affirmations?
To whom much is given much is required. I believe that service to others is the key to greatness in the African American community.
What do you do to unwind?
I am an avid basketball fan so if it’s not playing or watching basketball I’m usually reading or in front of my computer learning a new programming language or improving my design skill-set.
Any advice or words of wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Don’t be afraid to take a calculated risk. Sometimes those become the most rewarding opportunities even if they aren’t the most profitable they can turn out to be the greatest learning moments.
What’s next for Black Box Creative?
We are a “good” busy. We’re launching new websites for Angelica’s Bakery, Danielle Colding Design, and Volunteers of America in the next 45 days as well as a new mobile application for Angelica’s. We are also building a new website for Trinity United Church of Christ slated to launch next year. Great things are in store.
For more info on Black Box Creative, follow them on Twitter at @BlackBoxCreativ or log onto their website blackboxcreative.com/
