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Black Entrepreneurs Prepare for Unique Day of Capitol Access
Black entrepreneurs have a unique opportunity to lobby state legislators during Black Entrepreneurship Day on the Capitol early next month.
St. Paul, Minnesota (Fox 9) – Black entrepreneurs have a unique opportunity to lobby state legislators early next month.
A handwritten ‘Closed’ sign at Hopkins’ Mini Row Market marks the end of the dream for Dana Smith and her husband.
She will have a chance to talk about the financial troubles that have closed food-centric markets in Minnesota when she meets with state legislators at the Capitol on Feb. 3.
On that day, Sheletta Brundidge organized Black Entrepreneurship Day because she felt black business owners needed access they weren’t used to.
Brundidge, CEO of media company ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com, said:
“It’s already distributed. It’s too late.”
Related: Redeveloped Building Offers New Opportunities for Black Entrepreneurs in Minneapolis
Anissa Keyes opened a black business incubator called Northside Epicenter in north Minneapolis and built a network for launching startups.
She has seen many first-generation business owners struggle to know where they can find financial help.
“Even if they knew where to go, some kind of education, access to social capital to connect with the right people, networks, we don’t have access to it,” Keys said.
So Blandigi brought in lobbyist Brian McDaniel to act as a bridge between lawmakers and black entrepreneurs.
He says the amount of access may not be the biggest issue.
“I even believe this access exists for them,” said McDaniel of Hilden Advocacy & Law. , no attempt.”
Now they can directly claim part of the $17 billion budget surplus.
Dana Smith says this is the kind of access that could have saved her business.
“I think it was a 360-degree change,” she said.
Black Entrepreneurship Day at the Capitol is free and includes a 1:1 meeting with two members of Congress and lunch.
Business owners can sign up online at ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com.
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