Black Business Festival Returns

Hey everybody, it's Gill and some really exciting things have been happening at the doDetroit offices these past couple of weeks.

My favorite piece of news is the return of the Black Business Festival for a second year and doDetroit.com is proud to announce its sponsorship of this event. As an intern for doDetroit, I have had the opportunity to not only observe but also contribute at meetings with doDetroit staff and personnel from other sponsoring organizations Russell Bazaar, WGPR 107.5 FM, and Niki’s Lounge. (Metro Times has also committed to sponsoring the Black Business Festival but I have yet to personally participated in a meeting with them.)

After coordinating the behind-the-scenes operations between our organizations, the team brainstormed some ideas for how to not only draw in businesses but the general public. Some of my favorite suggestions form the meeting included a return of last year’s chili and peach cobbler cook-off, business seminars centered around starting and growing your business, two $300 Russell Bucks raffles, and making the event family-friendly with a children’s activity area.

Following the initial meeting, we spent following week we confirming speakers, attendees, and entertainment. Everyone we contacted seemed to be receptive to the festival’s mission to help local business owners advertise, promote, and network.

One such member of the Detroit community looking forward to attending the Black Business Festival and who we here at doDetroit.com are ecstatic to announce as the keynote speaker is Charles Pugh, President of Detroit City Council. His keynote speech will address the economic outlook for growth in Detroit.

Seminar will be conducted by the city’s leading political and business figures including Ken Harris of the Detroit Charter Revision Commission and members from the Center for Empowerment an Economic Development (CEED), the Black Business Expo, and the Small Business Association.

A perfect ending to Black History Month, the festival will include family-friendly entertainment and activities for children. Gospel choirs and live music will be preformed on the Russell Bazaar’s stage. The public is invited to participate in dance contests, two drawings for a $300 shopping spree, and cook-off events.

More information on renting space for your business and up-to-the-minute seminar information can be found here at the Black Business Festival’s Web site.

We look forward to seeing you, your family, and your business at the Black Business Festival, February 26–28 at the Russell Bazaar inside the Russell Industrial Center.

The Russell Bazaar is located at 1600 Clay Street, Detroit, Michigan 48211 [Google Map link].

---Gill