Snow, sickness and a stalemate kept some lawmakers and black business owners from collaborating at the third annual Black Entrepreneur’s Day at the Minnesota State Capitol. So, Sheletta Brundidge, event founder, activist and owner of ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com, decided to host a second event, a lunch at Erta Ale Ethiopian Restaurant & Bar in St. Paul.
“We all appreciated a make-up session,” said Speaker, MN House of Representatives, Melissa Hortman. “I met some wonderful folks who cater and support small businesses with financial services.”
The Thursday afternoon gathering was just three days after the Black Entrepreneurs Day event on Monday, Feb. 3, which fell during the three-week DFL boycott and resulting stalemate at the Capitol. The lunch was a way to connect Black business owners to DFL Representatives.
“With the racial wealth gap in our state, I was excited to spend time highlighting the great work from Black entrepreneurs, but also to learn, what are the successes and what are the challenges,” said Rep. Larry Kraft (DFL-St. Louis Park).
Kraft and other legislators were seated next to black business owners like Collins Oppong, who
owns several businesses, including Beyond Media Solutions, which provides marketing, media, and business consultancy services and Africa, Let’s Talk, a platform dedicated to informing and empowering African and minority communities through various media channels. Oppong said he was looking to lawmakers for support.
“Black businesses continue to thrive and serve as beacons of hope despite challenges,” Oppong said. “Now more than ever, legislators must be intentional about creating meaningful opportunities that strengthen businesses and help them navigate difficult times.”
The phrase “now more than ever” was a common sentiment in the group, as was the acronym DEI. The recent trend of businesses abandoning strategies to promote diversity, equity and inclusion was on the table as the group shared lunch.
“I want legislators to address the need to empower the business community with vital information and resources while enacting laws that protect our interests, especially as initiatives face growing threats,” said Oppong.
“It feels like it’s coming from a place of shutting doors,” said Minnesota state Rep. Julie Greene (DFL-Edina). “I’m a white woman who lives in a suburb of Minneapolis. I’m not impacted in the same way, but I feel a strong response to make sure voices are at the table. I’m going to continue working to make that happen.”
Legislators at the lunch agreed there are growing issues and concerns for Black business owners and dished out potential solutions.
“The market has failed childcare because people can’t afford it and people working in it aren’t paid enough,” said Kraft. He spoke with a cosmetologist at the lunch who found childcare to be one of her top challenges.
Representative Greene spoke with a business owner in St. Paul who runs a candle company and takes on all roles from production and e-commerce to marketing and distribution. “For a small business owner who has to find their own health care, it is expensive,” said Greene. “You’re one serious illness away from your business being wiped out.”
As the lunch wrapped up, the group prepared to return to their respective businesses and DFLers eventually headed back to the Capitol. The discussion armed both groups with issues to consider, solutions to pursue and a collaborative effort, feeding them all with a sense of hope to keep up the hard work.
“Equip yourselves with the right information to fully understand your businesses inside and out,” Oppong added. “Be innovative, diversify when necessary, and seek guidance from mentors who can help you grow.”