Black Business Week highlights local Black entrepreneurship

Laughter and chatter filled the room in the Minneapolis Events Center on Monday as the Black Business Kickoff Event began with vendors lining the room and people networking.  At the event, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Council Members Elliott Payne (Ward 1) and Andrea Jenkins (Ward 2), alongside other organizations, spoke about the importance of Black Business Week.  This event marked the beginning of Black Business Week in Minneapolis, leading up to National Black Business Month in August. This year’s events included resource fairs, networking events, panel discussions and Black business tours, according to the city’s website.  Black Business Week started on Monday and ends on Sunday. It started in 2019 as part of Frey’s inclusive economic development agenda, said Zoe Thiel, manager of the city’s Small Business Team.  Shortly after the meeting, Frey mingled with the guests and praised how much Black Business Week has grown over the past four years.  “Black-owned businesses are helping ignite the fire of our economy and they have earned our support,” Frey said. “From finance to art, from manufacturing to food, Black businesses are creating something special, and every week we celebrate their work.”  A panel discussion finished off the night providing insight on...