Inspiring Conversations with Carla Ladd of Denver Black Pages

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carla Ladd. 

Hi Carla, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I founded the Denver Black Pages in 2002 out of necessity, really. After being in the area for a few years, I still didn’t feel connected to the Black Community, and I wanted to be. At the time, I was a System Engineer for Lockheed Martin, and the only place I would see an abundance of people who looked like me was at church. I also didn’t know where to find Black-owned businesses, services, or culture (i.e., food, music, theater, etc.). There were a few printed publications that existed at the time, but there was no online resource, so I created one – the DenverBlackPages.com (DBP). Keep in mind that Facebook and extensive social media outlets didn’t exist at that time. 

DBP started as an online business directory but has since grown into a comprehensive resource and entertainment guide that also includes a Community Calendar, Things to Do, an App (iOS and Android), quarterly business networking events, and the Little Black Book, which we initially released in 2019. 

With the Black community being dispersed all over the Denver metro area and there being no “Black neighborhoods” like there used to be (Five Points, Park Hill, Montbello) – we’re creating a virtual Black Community for Metro area residents and visitors to be part of. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
“Smooth” is not the adjective I would use and “struggle” is not necessarily descriptive of our journey. This collaborative community has been loyal and consistently receptive to the Denver Black Pages, the Little Black Book, and our Success Summit conferences. Our journey hasn’t been about our perceived relevance or a captive market. This journey has been challenged by a limited number of corporate partnerships, which are one of the keys to helping us offset printing and operating costs so our advertisers not only expand with our platforms – but thrive as business enterprises. 

We’ve been impressed with IIMS, L.L.C d.b.a. Denver Black Pages, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The DenverBlackPages.com, the companion Little Black Book and our Success Summit (economic empowerment conference) are “products” of Innovative Internet Marketing Solutions (IIMS, L.L.C.), a Black, woman-owned company. 

What we do is assist Black business owners in promoting their goods, services, and events to Denver Metro’s Black residents and visitors, and others who want to support Black business via our website, app, print book, and networking events. We specialize in connecting black business to community.

We are set apart from others by our unwavering passion to see others succeed. 

We’d like your readers to know how very proud we are of the businesses that support our brand. They know that we believe in them and want to make them accessible to the Denver Community and beyond. 

Our mission is to empower Colorado’s Black small businesses by providing a comprehensive tool by which to market their products and services to a targeted audience. We also strive to be the marketing tool of choice for Colorado’s Corporations and large Organizations that desire to reach Colorado’s African American residents, visitors, and small businesses. 

Our vision is to amplify and elevate Black business across the country with the Little Black Book franchise. 

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
It’s been said that “Luck Is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Well, I don’t believe in luck. I believe in God’s favor and blessings and I have been extremely blessed to have been afforded some amazing opportunities, both professionally and in business. From being a Black, female Systems Engineer in the Aerospace industry to running my own successful business. I am eternally grateful for the people that God has placed in my life who have selflessly encouraged me and have supported my goals and dreams along the way. I could never do this work without them, especially my husband. He supported me when I left corporate to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams and continues support me now. 

Contact Info:

• Email: info@denverblackpages.com
• Website: https://denverblackpages.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denverblackpages/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DenverBlackPages/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DenBlkPages
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqtEaxHubznLuJU42LivBA

Image Credits
McBoat Photography