As a Black business owner, you have the unique opportunity to celebrate and honor the rich history and culture of the African American community during Black History Month. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, there are many ways to pay homage to the trailblazing individuals and events that have shaped the Black experience. Here are some tips and ideas from BlackBusinessList.Com to help you make the most of this special time in 2023.

1. Promote Black-Owned Businesses:
One of the best ways to celebrate Black History Month is by supporting Black-owned businesses in your community. Use social media, your website, and other marketing channels to promote the products and services offered by other Black entrepreneurs. You can also host a Black Business Month sale or offer discounts to customers who support Black-owned businesses.

2. Share Your Story:
Your personal journey as a Black business owner is a testament to the resilience and perseverance of the Black community. Share your story on your website or social media channels to inspire others and highlight the important role that Black entrepreneurs play in shaping our economy and society.

3. Host an Event:
Use Black History Month as an opportunity to host a special event at your business. You could host a panel discussion with other Black business owners, a workshop on financial literacy, or a networking event for Black entrepreneurs. This is a great way to connect with your community and promote your business at the same time.

4. Educate Your Customers:
Take the time to educate your customers about the history and cultural significance of Black History Month. Share articles, books, and other resources that highlight the contributions of African Americans to our society. You can also use your business as a platform to celebrate Black artists, musicians, and leaders who have inspired you.

5. Give Back to the Community:
Black History Month is a great time to give back to your community. Consider donating a portion of your sales to a local organization that supports Black families or sponsoring a scholarship for a Black student in your community. This is a great way to show your commitment to the Black community and make a positive impact.

In conclusion, Black History Month is a time to celebrate the rich heritage and cultural contributions of the African American community. As a Black business owner, you have the unique opportunity to pay homage to the trailblazing individuals and events that have shaped the Black experience. Whether you’re promoting other Black-owned businesses, sharing your story, or giving back to your community, there are many ways to celebrate Black History Month in a meaningful and impactful way.

The BBLTV Network (the media division of BlackBusinessList.Com), is launching the BBLTV Tech Channel.  This channel will focus on emerging technologies and African American business people's access to it.  They will cover topics such as: software products, digital marketing, virtual reality, augmented reality, live streaming, and more.

Stephen Wicks, founder of BlackBusinessList.Com, states, "It's important for African Americans and other minorities are included in the conversations being had around emerging technologies.  Things are changing at a rapid pace and if minorities don't keep up we'll be left behind in yet another paradigm shift.  That will be harmful to our families and communities."  Wicks plans on hosting a show on the network that will shine the spotlight on important topics concerning tech.

The channel will feature a mixture of curated and original content.

They are also interested in speaking with individuals who want to host their own show on the network.  Interested persons can reach out to Mr. Wicks at swicks@blackbusinesslist.com

You can learn more by visiting the channel's web page at www.BBLTV.net/BBLTV-Tech

Atlanta, GA…Wednesday, September 1, 2021…Custom fashion design comes together with custom personal chef deliciousness on October 24 in Atlanta on National Food Day, when two creative entrepreneurs from both industries merge efforts to offer a stylishly tasty experience for attendees.  

Created by two African-American women business owners, Indrea Gordon, fashion designer and founder of the Quad Clothing Company, a division of Platinum House Style, and Kendra Bates, founder, HoniiSoul Personal Chef Services, a luxury personal culinary experience service, the “Fashion Meets Food” Experience, will cater to fashionistas and foodies alike. In addition, both Gordon and Bates want to make community impact and bring some sense of togetherness, empowerment and escape from the challenges of everyday life for attendees, through this event.

“Kendra’s and my work are designed to make a difference in the lives we touch,” says Gordon, an award-winning designer, whose fashions are created to help women and girls feel confident and empowered. “Clothing and food are two essential elements that everyone needs, but for the fashionistas and foodies who also love the artistic and stylish side of both fashion and food, we thought this was the perfect way to not only showcase our individual creativity collectively and celebrate National Food Day, but to also make a difference while simultaneously adding new flavor to a popular concept,” she said. 

In addition to her artistic approach to food in terms of its presentation, as well as the taste, Chef Kendra’s love for family, togetherness and healing through food, is what makes her personal chef service a bit different.  

“George Bernard Shaw once said that ‘there is no love sincerer than the love of food,’ and as a personal chef and caterer, I am excited to work with Indrea on realizing her vision of presenting the ‘Fashion Meets Food Experience,” to attendees, through my own love and passion for the art of food preparation and presentation,” said Bates.

Coordinated to also address Covid-19 safety protocols, the “Fashion Meets Food Experience,” is designed to be an intimate gathering of about 100 people and will offer a variety of tapas-type small plates of creative dishes designed to tempt the palette, served in an artful manner.  The dishes will be color coordinated with custom fashions designed by Gordon, which will be presented throughout the event by models, including one with autism from Gordon’s Fashion Without Limitations program, which showcases children and young adults with special needs.  In addition, a portion of the proceeds for The Fashion Meets Food Experience, will be donated to Autumn’s Gift, a 501c3 nonprofit, that offers respite care services for families of children with special needs.

The “Fashion Meets Food Experience will take place at the Blue Moon Event Hall, located at 1630 Pleasant Hill Rd Set 100, Duluth, GA 30096.  Ticket prices range from $60 to $100 and can be purchased by going to quadclothingcompany.com.

 For more information about sponsorship or vendor opportunities at the event, contact Chris Waymon at Gates City Management at 404-353-0923 Gatecitymanagement@gmail.com.

For media inquiries, contact Norma Stanley at E.E.E. Marketing Group, at 678/508-3744 or email her at eeemarketinggroup@gmail.com.

BlackBusinessList.Com founder, Stephen Wicks, is moderating a discussion at this year's retailX Conference in Chicago.  The discussion will explore the idea that major retailers can add to their bottom lines by purposefully assisting minority businesses and communities. 

Are you a black business owner who runs a business in the wholesale and/or retail sales of goods?

We are looking for minority business owners who have products in retail stores to give us their experiences.  We may include your feedback in the discussion in Chicago.

Questions:

1. What products do you produce?
2. How long have you been in business?
3. How are your sales?
4. What stores are you currently in?
5. Was it difficult to get into the stores?
6. Do you feel as though your minority status helped or hurt the process?
7. Did the retail organization have a program dedicated to help minorities?
8. What suggestions do you have for black wholesalers looking to get into major stores?
9. What would you like to see differently from large retailers?

Mr. Wicks will use this data in the discussion with minority business owners and retailers at the retailX Conference.

Please feel free to reach out to him at SWicks@BlackBusinessList.Com

You can learn more about the retailX Conference here.
https://retailx.com/onsite/overview/