From pizza joints to personal styling, local minority business owners from all industries showcased their goods and services last week at the first Minority Business Expo hosted by Williamson Inc.’s Black Business Coalition at the Turner Theater in the Factory at Franklin.
Visitors to the inaugural expo browsed more than 40 vendor tables ranging from non-profits fighting cancer and supporting underserved kids, to realtors and bankers, to event services and restaurants and so much more.
“There’s so much we can do when we come together,” said Tara Blue, co-chair of the Black Business Coalition. “And to see all these wonderful businesses, a lot of them that just don’t get recognition, but look what you’ve done tonight.”
The evening both brought recognition to businesses often overlooked and fostered connections between business owners with similar goals and challenges.
“We feel like it’s already been a success,” Robert Blair, co-chair of the Black Business Coalition, said during the expo.
Success for the event organizers looks like success for the participating businesses. The Black Business Coalition is striving to change the way minority-owned businesses are treated in the county — starting with recognition, but with an end goal of equitable community support.
“From this a lot of relationships have been formed; a lot of great businesses and a lot of money can be made,” said Blue. “Let’s be honest, we need to make a living and it’s time to make a change.”
Jena Potter, director of marketing at Williamson Inc. and member of the Black Business Coalition committee, offered some ways for visitors to support these minority-owned businesses outside of the expo.
“As a marketing person, a great way to support these businesses is leave some Google reviews, talk about them on Facebook and give them some shoutouts,” Potter said.
After this year’s success, Blue and Blair expect the Minority Business Expo to continue to grow in coming years.
Find a full list of this year’s vendors at https://members.williamsonchamber.com/events/details/minority-business-expo-358418?calendarMonth=2024-02-01