EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – Local Black-owned businesses were highlighted Saturday at the the 3rd annual Black Business Showcase.
Young & Established put together the event.
An organizer says they hope it allows local Black business owners to connect with new customers and showcase their brands.
“There are some great businesses here that a lot of people don’t know anything about, so to see them here today, I think that’s really great for our community to expand some of these businesses and also just to show our support,” says Courtney Johnson, Executive Director of Young & Established.
Many local Black businesses came together for the Black Business Showcase to reach new customers and support each other.
Officials with Young and Established say a wide variety of local businesses participated in the showcase.
“We have the 812 Run Club,” Johnson said. We have a gentleman to my right that’s actually talking about Black history. He has a business just basically explaining to those individuals that may want to know about Black history. Then we have Fast Removal, there’s just so many to name.”
He says the event has grown a lot since it first came together three years ago.
“We actually hosted it at the community center, but the space was not big enough, so we wanted to bring it over the the Helms Hall and it’s just the perfect location,” Johnson said.
Local business owners say it’s important for Black-owned businesses to come together and highlight what they’re doing.
“Not only is it showing off everyone and their talents, but everyone of their businesses that can help everyone else in the community know more about what each individual is doing,” says JarDan Ramon, executive director of the 812 Run Club.
One person attending the event says she hopes events like this will inspire the next generation to start businesses of their own.
“Activities and events like this help, in ten years you’ll be able to walk around a room like this and run into people that say this inspired them to start their own business, or they wanted to give back because of an event like this, so I was just really excited,” says Stephanie Moore. “I can’t wait to see all of the businesses that we’re gonna see here today.”
Business owners say they are very excited for what they have in store for the Evansville community.
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