[ad_1]
The “Boosting Black Business Brunch” at the Mixery Room in University City on Oct. 28, 2023, was an inspirational celebration of Black entrepreneurs and those working to increase Black business-ownership in the region.
Sponsored by Kwame Construction and Milestone Weber, Anika Porter, Lifespiration marketing firm CEO, hosted the event which “boosted” 15 Black-owned businesses, vendors, and entrepreneurs.
Respective business and political leaders Kevin Bryant, founder and CEO of Kingsway Development, St. Louis County Prosecutor, Wesley Bell, and former St. Louis Comptroller Virvus Jones were also honored.
Jones’ daughter, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, who had recently tested positive for COVID-19 and was not in attendance, was also honoree.
The mayor’s Economic Justice Initiative proposes spending $150 million of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds in North St. Louis to “begin bridging the racial wealth gap that splits our city in two.”
“Today is really about ya’ll,” Porter told the audience.
“We couldn’t do this without you all not giving up because it gets rough out there for entrepreneurs. But you’ve smiled through the pain and I’m grateful for you all loving each other and restoring love to the African American community.”
According to JobSage, an employee transparency platform, St. Louis tops its list of “10 Cities for Entrepreneurs of Color.”
“We need every last one of you in this building to help sustain Black businesses in this community,” said Stacey Fowler, senior vice president of Minority and Small Business Empowerment with the St. Louis Development Corporations (SLDC).
Fowler lauded SLDC’s leader, Neal Richardson, and Mayor Jones’ commitment to supporting Black-owned businesses in St. Louis. She highlighted the work of SLDC’s empowerment center at Sumner High School.
“I’m not a CEO but I get to help develop and build CEOs,” Fowler said before reminding Black entrepreneurs of their personal responsibility to mold the next generation.
“There are younger people coming up who need to be mentored and groomed who need to see you doing what you’re doing. They are afraid to do what they want to do because they don’t see you; they don’t know you. That’s why we need you.”
LaWanda Brooks, founder of multiple businesses, was honored for establishing the first natural hair care school in Missouri. Humbled, Brooks shared her motivation with the crowd.
“I’ve been told ‘you’re doing too much’ but I don’t feel like I’m doing enough,” Brooks said.
“Our kids are still dying; young people still don’t know what to do with their lives. Health care and mental illness is still impacting our community.”
Sabrina Westfall, CEO of J. West Electric, invited Black entrepreneurs to reflect on their unique history.
“We only need to look at Africa to know that our ancestors, with their skills resilience and commitment built a society which eventually became a credit to civilization.”
“By leveraging our networks, resources, and expertise, we can create a thriving ecosystem that uplifts and supports Black entrepreneurs.”
Rochelle Bell Bonty, CEO of RMB Mechanical, informed the audience that she was the first Black female unionized sheet metal worker in St. Louis.
“I believe that supporting and empowering Black-owned businesses is crucial to our community, economic growth and prosperity.”
Dr. Saint Rice and his wife, Dr. LaVada Rice were honored for their work with “No More Hiding Ministry,” a nonprofit dedicated to helping Black men “find their true purpose in life.”
“We cannot have healthy fruit if the seed is unhealthy.”
Virvus Jones reflected on the historic events of 1963 that helped mold his character as father, politician, and Black man.
The assassination of Medgar Evers, Dr. King’s “I have a Dream” speech, the bombing of a Birmingham church by KKK members that killed four African American girls, and the Jefferson Bank protests in St. Louis all occurred in 1963 and impacted him.
Focusing on the word ‘audacity,” he complimented the attending entrepreneurs.
“That’s what ya’ll have here today,” Jones preached, “the audacity to say, ‘we’re not just gonna be here…we’re gonna do more than that!’ Ya’ll are saying, despite all the stuff that’s going on, we’re going to survive and thrive and make sure we create a better world for those who come after us.”
[ad_2]
Source link
