WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) – In August, National Black Business Month shines a light on the contributions of Black-owned businesses and highlights the importance of supporting their continued growth.

It’s also a time to raise awareness about the real challenges many Black entrepreneurs still face in today’s economy.

For Dwight Haywood, owner of Wangs and Thangs in Wichita Falls, it’s personal.

“When I was growing up, it was black owned businesses everywhere, and it makes me proud to have one,“ Haywood said.

Growing up, said he Haywood remembers a time when Black-owned businesses filled his neighborhood. He said it is something that makes him proud to own one today.

Starting out in the car detailing business, Haywood never imagined his path would lead to frying wings. Now he said Wangs and Thangs has become a community staple and draws people from all walks of life.

Still, he admited the road hasn’t always been easy.

“To be unified, to be a community is kind of hard in this day and time. When I grew up, it was about the community, you can’t do anything by yourself. This is bigger than me,“ Haywood said.

Haywood said those values have helped sustain his business, and he’s hoping to pass them down to the next generation.

“It’s going to be obstacles in the way, you’re going to have to jump over hurdles. But hey, if you’ve got your mind and you’re positive, you can do anything you want to do. You can’t quit, young people, you just have to be passed down, and that’s the way it goes,” Haywood said.

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