Dominica-raised, founder and owner of Global Black Alliance Inc, Joe Harry, has developed a GPS app for black-owned businesses worldwide.
Harry, who is also a Cyber Security Professional, is from Salisbury but resides in Canada.
RealOnes is a free GPS for Black-Owned business owners and businesses who are allies of the Black Community and was created so that users can shop local, buy black, and work with their allies quickly and easily.
“We’re hoping that this app will help us support each other and build our communities through commerce, social justice, entrepreneurship, ultimately helping us have more control over where our dollars are spent so we can build generational wealth. RealOnes will help tourists and returning Dominicans find their way around quickly and easily,” Harry said in an interview with DNO.
The app has been available on Google Play since July 10, 2022, and in the app Store since Oct 2, 2022.
Harry revealed that even though RealOnes is fairly young, it already has over 90 businesses signed up in 6 countries.
“A few businesses have signed up in Dominica but our hope is that with DNO’s help, more businesses will be aware of this free resource to help elevate their businesses,” he stated.
“We have spent over $80,000 on developing RealOnes. We need funding to get the app to the level we know it is capable of performing at with updates that include UI/UX (User Interface, User Experience) upgrades, French translations, bug fixes, and push notifications as well as additional data insights for business owners and shoppers.”
He noted that the base model will always be free, but in the future, they look forward to offering premium versions of RealOnes that will offer paid features.
“Ultimately, RealOnes will be able to reinvest in communities and initiatives as we build a true alliance based on equity, love, and respect no matter the race, faith, orientation, or industry.”
The app has been featured in NOW Magazine, BlogTO, and Toronto.com News.
Persons interested in obtaining more information can check out their Instagram and Facebook @RealOnesByGBA or website at www.jointhegba.com/realones.
You know it is a good thing I am one who like to read; I been a bookworm dating back to when I was a kid! “Dominican creates GPS app for black-owned businesses.”
The caption evaded me; but now I read it over I am a bit puzzled. Let me be frank the abbreviation “GPS” means Global Positioning System; just about every motor vehicle sold these days are equip with a GPS system combined with a Radio, Madia, and Telephone system.
At least that’s the way those I have in my cars are, so if I am driving and someone calls me on my mobile phone, it cuts the radio, or media system off and I can talk to the person on the phone via the GPS system.
Traveling to Canada I insert the address in Canada, and it takes me there.
So, what am puzzled about is that since his app is a GPS app for black only is it going to indicate the positions of all black business, and direct blacks to their locations globally?
I know I am not dumb but wish the inventor would clarify the operation of his GPS.
I’m totally supportive. The listing should also include Black doctors. Seriously!
Boys it’s a no-brainer, we have to LOOK for each other like European Jews do, shut the h*ll up and get out of the way.
If not for Black collaborators Martin Luther king, Malcolm X, Bob Marley etc etc would be a bit old, but here with us today.
Be very careful what you wish for. Once the other ones do similarly all you will be sucking salt. Who are the true racists??
Robert, what are you still afraid of? We’re talking generational wealth, that should be behind us today. Referring to people as “the other ones” is as truely racist as it sounds. Be brave!
Great initiative Joey. Keep pushing hard to help us circulate our money within our communities.
I live in a major North American city and if I have any major project to do in my home, this is how I prioritize who gets my business:
1. Dominican
2. Caribbean person
3. Non-Caribbean
I will only make major expenditures involving other people if I cannot find one of my own who is competent to do the job.
Right now I am doing a major reno on my home and every trades person involved is a Dominican. That is how I roll.
And that’s the way to roll Zandoli. All other groups of people do just that, except Blacks waiting for full integration with espwa mal papai.
The quality of your reno must be exceptional. Good luck for the future.
Joe, I’m sorry bro but I’m strictly non prejudice and buy and sell from anyone never mind their race or religion. I’m afraid that while we talking equality we want separate and exclusive treatment at the same time. That doesn’t jell with me. I’m simply a human being like everybody else and don’t want preferential treatment, that’s all.
Toto, your wish is extremely idealistic. While I also wish the same, I know that equality can only be achieved if we stop the clock and let Minorities ( all minorities, not just Blacks) catch up or more realistically, give Minorities the platforms, opportunities and resources to fast track what has been historically and systematically slowed down. RealOnes seems to be such a platform..
And a question for you: would you support a business that participates in the oppression of Blacks?? As per the article paragraph 3, the app seems to be open to all businesses as long as they are allies of the Black community:
‘RealOnes is a free GPS for Black-Owned business owners AND BUSINESSES WHO ARE ALLIES OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY and was created so that users can shop local, buy Black, AND WORK WITH THEIR ALLIES QUICKLY and EASILY.
Toto, until they allow all 45 million of you to be their equal, you NEED preferential treatment.
And don’t tell me preferential treatment is only for some like their brothers, European Jews that you are careful not to mention for some reason, like you don’t know or ignorant of.
Black owned business what, and world wide where?
Bull, just because you see some American tag their mom and pap shop, “Black Owned business, you don’t know what it’s all about you coming with his crap!
Let me tell you how this about tagging black business came about: living in Los Angeles one remembers the brutality Rodney King suffered at the hands of the police, three white, and one Mexican.
During that period of unrest, where black people were burning Los Angles down, concentrating on business, owned by other ethnicity, in order for the few black people who operated liquor shops, and other small Connors shops to survive the burning they would would write on the front of their shops ” Black Owned.”
But, even the Chines and Mexicans did that to evade black vengeance; I lived in England, Germany, I go into Canada anything I wish, however, can’t count on one hand any black business in those countries; can you?
Waste of time!
Firstly, I’m wondering if you read the article beyond the headline. It states that the app is for Black owned businesses and for businesses owned by allies of the Black community. Our allies are necessary for our growth because, apart from promoting unity, they understand that many of them have constantly benefitted from the system and are at an advantage that they can now use to assist us (considering that Blacks have been disadvantaged)… so the app not racist..
Secondly, if you have been to all these countries and you can only count the Black businesses on one hand, then it’s likely one of two things or both:
1. You are proving my point above – that Black people and therefore their business ideas and actual businesses have been at a disadvantage and are not very visible.
2. You don’t care enough to look for and support Black-owned businesses.
You get a whole app doing all the work for you and you vex. Just let the people who actually care, support and elevate their…
You see that is the problem with our people, we are the only group of people who continuously stress “black” i.e black history month, why cant it simply be History: “black business” who cares?
If I had a business, successful or not I would worry to tag it black business, because I know once I tag or identify it as a black business, neither black, white, red yellow nor any other ethnicity would be eager to support my business.
And that’s just the reality!
I don’t mind this guy creating his aps, but the idea it to serve black business all over the world; is nothing more than wishfully thinking or out right baloney.
If you are Canadian, or Dominican living in Canada, point out to me at this moment one to twelve black business you in Canada, and where they are located, and I am not talking about someone selling cool-aid on Carribanna day!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahah!
I talking about some industry, of some kind.
On the continent of Africa all large business, are white owned…
For a man at almost 90 years old your frame of mind is appalling. Better to stay quiet and out of the way.
My previous comment is a combined response to Francisco and Double Dr will like this who seem to have views that align.
You still don’t get it to this day. It had white racism written all over it directed by lapd, after a dozen of them, not four, chained and tortured Rodney like an animal, no mercy. Police actually routed the demonstration through the Black/Asian business area. You still need to pay attention, not just talk crap boasting you lived in Paris or Milan at one time or the other. My Jewish co-workers find themselves in my neighborhood 12 miles away from their homes just to shop for a few things. It’s the smart thing to do in order to uplift their businesses.
hence helping to prove that more and more black people are the racist ones . and moving to wanting preferential treatment over equality
nice app but just shows that black people are the ones pushing segregation. all this is a step in the wrong direction for us as a people
stop with the black only nonsense and lets start pushing for intermingling
I agree and disagree with you. Because of integration a lot of black businesses went belly up. I can see the benefit of the app because most businesses in black communities are not black-owned. So we need to support each other because no one else is. But in 2023 I would market it differently instead just saying black owned because I see how it can come across. I would call it under promoted businesses or something like that.
I cannot help but be amazed at the thoughts of some people: Some of us don’t know that if we find a black person with a business even selling Barbecue meat, their own is always more expensive than everyone else?
In the Mauls one may find a clothing store, the black person price is always higher than the rest.
Why should I pay more when I can pay less?
Our people are not serious about anything: They advertise, but when you call them they always have an excuse. One guy advertise hauling and moving, I called the guy to come and move some unwanted materials and other residue from an apartment building; he agreed, nevertheless, he suggest I give him a chance to finish watching a ballgame.
I left it at that.
I called a Mexican, after I spoke with the Black in the same business, within 20 minuets the man and his helper was at my place loading his truck.
By the time the Black boy was finished watching his ballgame; the Mexican came did what I wanted and got paid.
What an idiotic comment!
So why you ain’t commenting on the redundant white owned businesses that they feed you daily? it’s a given, so you’d like to still keep pushing for integration that hasn’t worked despite all MLK’s efforts over 60 yrs ago, 60 years. No one wants to wait around, it’s espwa mal papai. We have to help ourselves with wealth creation even though some of us have a job and feel a little fomfy. We are still designated cheap labor, you can’t be scared all your life. We’re pushing for wealth creation so just hang in there and show your support, WS still works diligently against you. Show support or stay out of the way, too many Black collaborators in white supremacy.
Typo: not redundant, I meant abundant
Are you ignorant? Because if you are, then we clearly understand your stance. One of the reasons why Black people have issues creating generational wealth is that we don’t support enough Black-owned businesses. If we know who they are and where to find them, then that’s a huge step in the right direction.
@Summers – Huh? Wuh?
Where did you get that conclusion from? From some leftist, woke, deluded social science/humanities course lecturer(s) in one of these Re-Indoctrination Centers (some people refer to them as universities) in North America?
Case in point, as I responded to Francisco’s usual rant above, my Jewish co-workers find themselves in my neighborhood 12 or more miles away from their homes, they tell me it’s just to shop for a few things, in Jewish stores. It’s the smart thing to do in order to uplift their businesses. Is what you cultivate.
Agree, if we want financial empowerment we must support each other. One way is to buy black bc the money would stay in our community. Some black people collaborate with WS bc they stupidly believe that will give them some kind power. They only hurt their community. We must lift each other up.
@double dr will like this – I see you are paying very close attention to the happenings going on around. Well done.
Covert actors are subtly and skillfully attempting to provoke racial tensions between the races ESPECIALLY in the USA.
Black people must be very careful to avoid being duped by the propaganda machinery & psychological warfare techniques of these covert actors who seem intent on pushing society back to the past ie an era of increased racial tensions & animosity.
And you support Donald Trump? WTF
Why you fraid? Be brave!
Hmm, from the looks of it Joe himself is intermingled like most of us in Dominica.
What’s wrong with that? Absolutely nothing.
Ya, but he hasn’t addressed wealth creation nor generational wealth for the Blacks he mingles with. Only to rename a steet or grant a holiday in their names, token sh*t, nothing real. Integration has not worked. If you question why hasn’t it worked, they label your query CRT and claim you are causing trouble. No wonder so many white people are scared of white supremacists.