Prime Highlights
- Minneapolis will host Black Business Week from late July to early August.
- The programme supports Black-owned businesses through networking and resources.
Key Facts
- The initiative was launched by the City of Minneapolis in 2019.
- NEON will provide support for food business entrepreneurs.
Background
Black Business Week will be organised by the City of Minneapolis in the last week of July and the first week of August.
This programme is intended to highlight and encourage black-owned businesses to enhance the economic development of the area.
The activities of this week will include networking events, seminars and workshops. The initiative, launched in 2019, aims to encourage greater support for Black-owned businesses while helping them access resources and expand their operations.
One of the participating entrepreneurs is Jakesa Thompson, who recently launched Happy Plate, a business offering allergy-friendly baked treats. During the event, she plans to showcase her products, meet potential customers and connect with other business owners.
City officials said the programme comes at an important time for many local businesses that experienced lower customer traffic earlier this year during Operation Metro Surge. The reduced footfall affected businesses across Minneapolis, with members of the East African business community among those facing significant challenges.
Black Business Week will begin with a kickoff summit featuring entrepreneur and media producer Sheletta Brundidge, who will speak about building successful businesses through purpose-driven entrepreneurship. She said small businesses can stand out by sharing the stories behind their brands and creating stronger connections with customers.
The programme also includes specialised sessions for food entrepreneurs organised by the Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON). Participants will receive guidance on licensing, available business resources and access to commercial kitchen facilities.
Organisers said the event is designed to strengthen collaboration among entrepreneurs while helping Black-owned businesses grow, attract new customers and build long-term success through shared knowledge, community support and business development opportunities across Minneapolis.
