NEO Biz: Duty to Give Back

LaRese Purnell is the owner of Black Box Fix, a restaurant with multiple locations in Greater Cleveland. He’s also no stranger to giving back to the area. In fact, he has always felt it was his duty. 

Purnell, who grew up in a single-parent household and battled with homelessness as a child, has been giving back for years. Throughout the coronavirus crisis, Purnell has helped feed more than 6,500 people, including more than 550 seniors. During this time, Purnell has provided a different meal almost every time. 

“This time has brought the issue that our community faces to light — we have a vulnerability in our community,” he says.

Purnell has also challenged himself to create things that will have longevity, such as creating investment opportunities for people in the Black community and a Black business directory called The Real Black Friday.