By Aria Brent,
AFRO News Writer,
abrent@afro.com
August is National Black Business Month and organizations all across the D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area are hosting events in light of the occasion.
According to the 2020 Census, cities such as Hampton, Va. and Baltimore are amongst 20 areas with the highest Black population in the nation, making them the perfect locations for the series of events that have been going on this month. Whether you’re already a Black business owner or you’re trying to become one, D.C., Maryland and Virginia are the places to be during Black Business Month.
Washington, D.C.
Black Business Tour
Melanin Queen Creative (MQC) is hosting a “Sunday Funday” outing on Aug. 27 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in honor of National Black Business Month. Guests are welcomed to join MQC as they visit Black and Forth, a 7,500 square foot retail community space that hosts a Black farmers market on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. Black and Forth is located at 2201 Channing St., NE, Washington, D.C. 20018.
DJ’s Event Planning: Event Proposal and Contracts Workshop with Sharde Hoff
On Aug. 21, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. DJ’s Event Planning will be holding a virtual event that will allow attendees to have access to expert legal information from a contract specialist, learn the importance of incorporating contracts into events, contract writing, how to write proposals for sponsored events and much more. Owner of DJ’s Event Planning, DeShawna Jones, will be speaking along with event producer and contract specialist, Sharde Hoff. The event is virtual and tickets for the event can be purchased at DJseventplanning.com for $50.
Maryland
National Black-Owned Business Month Panel
Business owners will gather virtually to answer questions as they grace the Baltimore County Public Library panel from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. virtually. They will share their inspiration for starting a business, obstacles that they have overcome and tips for aspiring entrepreneurs. Those who are interested in registering can sign up on the Baltimore County Public Library website up to an hour before the event.
Impact Hub Baltimore: Black Business Month Meetup
Impact Hub Baltimore (IHB) is ending Black Business Month on a high note by hosting a Black Business Month Meetup on Aug. 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This event will be used for networking but also as a way of celebrating Charm City’s Black entrepreneurs. Attendees will be provided resources for their business, meet other small business owners and will have the opportunity to share and gain knowledge with fellow entrepreneurs. The free event is being held at the IHB office which is located at 10 E. North Ave., Baltimore, Md. 21202.
Virginia
Unveiling Brilliance: Black Business Owners Connect
Virginia based tech company Technikole Solutions is collaborating with Black Multiverse Enterprises to invite Black owned businesses in the Alexandria, Va., area to come enjoy an evening of business connections, discovery and empowerment at their networking event. Guest and business owners can anticipate the opportunity to foster their networks and discover what local Black business owners have to offer. The event is being held at the Wegmans in the Carlyle District from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 24. Tickets for the event vary in price starting at $45 and going up to $250.
Empower Me: Third Annual Black Businesses Showcase
The weekend of Aug. 26 the Springfield, Va., community will have the opportunity to shop with over 30 Black owned businesses at the Black Businesses Showcase presented by Empower Me. The weekend-long event will be held at the Center Court Springfield Town Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets to the event are free for guests, however vendors have the option of participating on either Saturday, Sunday or both days for a fee that ranges from $200 to $300.
Happily Natural: The Black Farm Tour
Join Happily Natural for their first Black Farm Tour on Aug. 25. The tour will spotlight four Black owned, urban farms in the central Virginia area. The goal of the event is to introduce community members to Black farmers in the area, all the while informing guests about food justice, climate resiliency and how important land is to Black liberation. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. guests will visit each of the farms where a Black culinary artist will be demonstrating how to cook using the produce harvested at each site. The four farms featured on this year’s tour are Sankofa Community Orchard, Petersburg Oasis Community Farm, 5th District Mini Farm and Broad Rock Community Garden. Guests will be picked up on tour buses from The African Burial Grounds in Shockoe Bottom and taken to each farm, following the tour they’ll be brought back to the burial grounds for a libation ceremony. Tickets are available online at Eventbrite.com for $35.
Virtual Options
Small Business Day
The Georgia Crowdfund and The Velocity Company launched Small Business Day for small startup companies. At the event, they will share their 5 step start up process and provide a network of experts who will help educate attendees on the dos and don’ts of managing a small business. The objective of the event is to launch 1,000 plus businesses in a 4 hour window. The event seeks to help those looking for viable business ideas and provides information to put entrepreneurs on an accelerated path to the next level.
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