On Feb. 16, Black small business owners from around Minnesota shut their shop doors, turned off their laptops and headed to the State Capitol to stand together and ask for more considerations and support.
They were there at Sheletta Brundidge’s invitation. For the second year in a row, she conceived and presented Black Entrepreneurs Day at the Capitol through her podcasting platform/production company, ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com.
Like last year, the event was aimed at introducing Minnesota’s Black business owners to policy and decision makers and then activate them to flex their collective political muscle.
“Nothing like this had ever been done. There are lobbyists for the special interests to look out for them, the nurses, doctors and teachers have lobbyists. There is not a lobbyist for Black entrepreneurs and I know we needed to fix that,” Brundidge said from the platform.
“I am deputizing each and every one of you. You are your own lobbyist. Speak up for yourself and your business. This is our day!”
In attendance were a who’s who of Minnesota elected leaders and state lawmakers, including Senate President Bobby Joe Champion, Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman, State Auditor Julie Blaha and Lt Gov Peggy Flanagan.
During last year’s session, the legislature responded to calls for greater equity by using the budget surplus to fund numerous programs aimed at boosting minority owned businesses through new or enhanced programs, grants, and low and no interest loan programs.
“For far too long, policy decisions have been made without communities in the room, specifically without the Black community in the room. You are in the room today,” said Flanagan.
This year, Black small business owners from Duluth, Rochester and St Cloud traveled to St Paul, adding to the number of Black entrepreneurs who stepped away from their businesses to attend, press the powerful for additional considerations and advocate for more resources.
“Your presence here is going to shape our decisions,” said Murphy.
After the Rally in the Rotunda, Brundidge had prepared a customized agenda for every Black business owner in attendance, pairing them with their own state representative or senator or connecting them with a policy maker who could help them with concerns facing their business.
Last year, 12 state legislators participated in the event; this year 52 came to connect with their constituents of color and listen to their needs and frustrations with persistent inequities.
“When you talk to your legislator, no matter where you live, tell them it is good to invest in Black entrepreneurs because what is good for Black entrepreneurs is good for the rest of the state as well,” Champion said.
After the rally and the one-on-one meetings, all of the Black entrepreneurs and their allies joined with the political contingent to break bread together in The Vault, solidifying new relationships, making additional connections and networking.
“Not only did I get blessed with direct access to my local legislators at this event, I got to talk with business owners from all over the state of Minnesota,” said Michael Roberts, a residential properties owner/co-founder (with his mother) of ButtaRolls. “I also was able to establish so many new contacts and possibly partnerships and resources that I still can't believe it.”
“There is so much power in showing up. I left feeling inspired and confident that I can finish what I’ve started,” added artist Crystal Sokuu. “Together we can and together we will!”
“We are agents of change, catalysts of economic empowerment and champions of cultural heritage. Let us recognize the vital role of Black entrepreneurs in driving economic progress and social progress to build a more equitable and prosperous future for all,” said Shaunie Grigsby, owner of Flava Cafe in St Paul.
While gratified by the turnout, Brundidge said that drawing a large crowd was only part of her goal for Black Entrepreneurs Day. She said she wants lawmakers to remember that the Black business owners they met with will be watching their decisions and holding them accountable.
“This is an event that brings us together to take us from just surviving to thriving,” she said. “Money has been flying over our heads for far too long. We gonna reach up and grab some. They’re not going to be able to pat us on our head and rub us on our backs and send us home hungry any more.”
Sponsors for Black Entrepreneurs Day at the Capitol included Comcast, AARP Minnesota, Clockwork, Northwestern Mutual and Clear Channel Outdoors.