KENT COUNTY, MI — Meijer is hosting a Black business summit Wednesday Aug. 16 at its corporate headquarters in Walker where it will seek to build connections with black-owned companies that want to sell their products at the retailer.
“In celebration of Black Business Month this August, the Summit is aimed to highlight the achievements, contributions, and economic impact made by Black entrepreneurs and business owners,” Carla Hendon, director of supplier diversity at Meijer, said in a statement.
“This event also gives Black-owned businesses the opportunity to demonstrate the quality, uniqueness, and value of their products directly to our buyers.”
Businesses that want to participate must register here by July 14. The event is designed for businesses that manufacture or grow retail-ready products. Information on the exact location of the event, within Meijer’s headquarters in Walker, a suburb of Grand Rapids, will be provided once participants register, said company spokesperson Frank Guglielmi.
Businesses that register will be invited to participate in a “virtual mentorship preparation” call on July 17, during which Meijer employees will provide the businesses with “valuable insights and guidance on how to effectively prepare for the event.”
During the summit, participating businesses will be provided with an in-person booth to showcase their business. They will also be provided time to meet with Meijer employees to pitch products, ask questions and receive feedback.
The summit is “open to all potential and existing U.S. vendors, as well as growing vendors looking to expand their brand into larger Meijer stores.
Guglielmi declined to say how many products from Black-owned businesses Meijer stocks or whether the company wants to grow the number of such products to a certain level.
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