Triad organizations partner to present 2024 Black Business Summit
S.G. Atkins CDC will host its second annual “The Black Business Summit: Where Access to Capital and Black Businesses Meet” on February 2, 2024—inviting Black business owners to find financing options. The event is open to the public. Business owners, students, entrepreneurial ecosystem partners, and financiers are encouraged to attend.
Black businesses, large and small, are essential to the vitality of neighborhoods and diversification of our supply chain—with over three million Black businesses employing almost 1.2 million people. Yet, only 2.4% of Black-owned businesses are employer firms. Even after a wave of DEI pledges from banks & corporations in 2020, minority-owned ventures account for less than 2% of received venture capital. Both scalability and access to capital are needed fuel that drives the growth of our national economy.
The focus is Access to Capital and the schedule of events includes keynotes, prizes, B2B networking, and CDFI & grant counseling. There will also be ‘speed counseling’ with bankers from 7+ financial organizations so business owners can get questions answered. “We want talented Black entrepreneurs to have equal access to needed start-up capital,” said Carol Davis of Winston-Salem State University, who leads the Enterprise Center and its backing force, the S.G. Atkins Community Development Corp.
The event is collaborative with the Winston-Salem Black Chamber of Commerce (WSBCC), Center for Creative Economy, NC IDEA, the Small Business Center of Forsyth Technical Community College, and the Winston-Salem Women’s Business Center. “The WSBCC supports businesses through training, networking and assistance with attaining capital. This 2nd annual summit is one way to take your venture to new heights and we have success stories to share,” said WSBCC President Calvin Patterson.
Featured speakers include Machelle Baker Sanders, NC Secretary of Commerce; John Davenport: CEO and Owner, Davenport Engineering; Dr. Shante Williams: CEO, Black Pearl Global Investments; Perry Cabean: Managing Member, Grand Street Capital Management, LLC.
Atkins CDC board member and WSSU professor, Dr. Jill Keith affirms that the summit is valuable to more than just business owners, “My students and I attended last year and found it to be inspirational and an excellent venue for networking.”
The event will run from 8:30am - 3pm at the Enterprise Center Event Center, 1922 MLK Jr. Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27107. Advanced registration is $20. For more event info, flyer, and registration information: Press contact: Carol Davis davisc@wssu.edu
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About the Black Business Summit
Started in 2023, The Black Business Summit is an annual must-attend gathering for entrepreneurs, professionals, and enthusiasts alike. Immerse yourself in a vibrant community of black-owned businesses, network with industry leaders, and gain invaluable insights to take your ventures to new heights. From inspiring keynotes to interactive workshops, this summit offers a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and collaborate.
