With just days until her event, Black Entrepreneurs Day at the Capitol, on Monday, Feb. 3, founder and presenter Sheletta Brundidge found herself in a tough spot. She declined a $10,000 sponsorship from Amazon because the company reversed its diversity, inclusion and equity (DEI) initiatives. It’s money that would have defrayed the costs associated with the event.
“I knew I was providing a $5,000 grant at the event and shuttle service for folks coming in from Duluth and Rochester, but I didn’t know where the money was coming from now,” said Brundidge, who is also an Emmy award-winning broadcaster, activist and founder of the
ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com platform.
In its first two years, Black Entrepreneurs Day has been a catalyst for economic
empowerment. Under Brundidge’s guidance, it has built a winning track record for bringing Minnesota’s Black business owners and their allies to the Capitol where they meet and build relationships with elected leaders while also networking and connecting.
Brundidge was planning to make up the difference herself if she had to. But then, something happened. “This money started coming in from people I don’t know. These are just good neighbors who stepped up to be an ally” said Brundidge. “I still haven’t raised the full amount, but I’m close.”
Alicia D. Crudup is one of the strangers who donated. She saw Brundidge’s post online about not taking Amazon’s sponsorship money. “As a community, we should be able to step in and fill in the gap,” Crudup said. “What’s happening is a sounding of the alarm, a state of emergency in terms of the disregard for individuals who are not the same. This was a call to action.”
The call was also answered by Adrienne Diercks, who is the Founder and Executive Director of Project Success. “The scholarship piece is so incredible. What a great way to kick off Black History Month,” said Diercks. “When I saw she was giving Amazon the money back, I knew we would step in and sponsor that scholarship,” said Adrienne.
Project Success works with more than 16,000 sixth through 12th-grade students and their families in the Minneapolis and Mankato public school districts. Since 1994 the organization has been connecting students to their purpose through a method of experiential learning called DIG (Dream.Ignite.Grow). “Young people have the answers, the energy and the entrepreneurial spirit,” Diercks said. “It’s important to get that message out there and also back it up with a scholarship.”
Amanda Eastvold donated $500 to Black Entrepreneurs Day at the Capitol. She and her husband are small business owners in Northfield, Minnesota. “The importance of giving opportunities for all Minnesotans, no matter our background, is crucial to a thriving state and world,” said Eastvold.
Donations are still coming in and so too is a sense that individual efforts can make a big difference. “It’s a classic case of David versus Goliath,” said Eastvold. “We know that these rollbacks are unjust and we will do what we can, no matter how small, to give voice to our neighbors throughout Minnesota.”
Learn more about Black Entrepreneurs Day at the Capitol at ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com