ALBUQUERQUE – The City of Albuquerque’s Office of Equity & Inclusion (OEI) and the Office of Black Community Engagement (OBCE) held a celebration on Civic Plaza in honor of National Black Business Month. Black Business Month is a nationally recognized month dedicated to acknowledging and supporting Black-owned businesses in the United States.
“It takes courage and resilience to start your own businesses, and these local entrepreneurs exemplify the ‘never give up’ attitude that our city is known for,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “This is a great time for us all to recognize the Black business owners who contribute to a better future for all of our families.”
“Small businesses are vital for Albuquerque’s economic development; creating jobs, providing growth, and creating essential opportunities for families to attain financial stability and generational wealth,” said City of Albuquerque CAO, Samantha Sengel. “We fully appreciate how important it is for the City to support to these Black-owned businesses as they continue to thrive.”
The City provides programs like the New Mexico Minority Business Development Agency (NM MBDA), Get Certified ABQ, Job Training Albuquerque (JTA), and the Small Business Office that help equip and empower local Black businesses and their employees. The MBDA has assisted over 300 businesses by facilitating access to capital, securing contracts and opening doors to new markets. The City’s JTA program helps ensure that the workforce is ready and prepared by providing free training that promotes stronger career paths and better wages.
“Starting a business is difficult for anyone, but Black entrepreneurs have been historically disenfranchised,” said Sonya Lara, Director of OEI. “They often face obstacles that were historically created to make it difficult for their businesses to become successful, that is why it is important to create programs that specifically support Black-owned businesses”.
“There are over 16,649 Black residents in Albuquerque who make our city a better place’” said Neema Pickett, Black Community Engagement Liaison. “In return we must make the city a better place for them by supporting Black Business development in our community.”
OBCE collaborated with Food Truck Friday, the City’s weekly event that hosts different food trucks on Civic Plaza through the summer, to bring multiple Black-owned businesses and community organizations together for this event. Among the participating vendors was VIIISON Academy, Dance & Theater Company, who lead community members in free movement classes.
“We encourage the community to not just acknowledge and support Black-owned businesses in August and during Black History Month but throughout the whole year.” said Councilor Nichole Rogers. “Because, when our small businesses flourish, the City flourishes.”
List of Participating Organizations and businesses:
Ayanna Denise Skin
Herban Oasis
Spirited Wellness NM
The Concierge Therapist
Brown Sugar Beauty
Umoja Wellness
Native Sun Gallery
Green VisionX
Duke City Games
Creative Duke Media
Bear Designs
VIIIZON Academy Dance & Theater Company
Black Empower Fund
Black Chamber of Commerce NM
NM American Performing Arts Center
NM Black Leadership Council
Emerge Motivation Initiative
NM Environment Department/Occupational Health and Safety Bureau
Presbyterian Health Care