Business

Miami-Dade County supports Black Business Month with community events

Bill Diggs, executive director of the Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust and former head of the Mourning Family Foundation, speaks at the 8th annual South Florida Black Economic Forum in 2018.
Bill Diggs, executive director of the Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust and former head of the Mourning Family Foundation, speaks at the 8th annual South Florida Black Economic Forum in 2018. The Mosaic Group

The Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust is commemorating Black Business Month by providing local residents and entrepreneurs opportunities and programs to build their career skills and professional networks.

Bill Diggs, the trust’s executive director, thinks the county’s Black business community is among the area’s most underutilized resources.

“We need the community to help us make an undeniable statement that the growth and prosperity of Miami-Dade County is correlated to the growth and prosperity of the county’s Black business community,” Diggs said.

The tourism industry has been a source of income for many local Black entrepreneurs, but it has been hampered in recent months by state and national politics. For example, in May the NAACP issued a travel advisory recommending people of color not visit Florida because of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ perceived anti-minority policies.

Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO David Whitaker hopes this month’s focus on Black business acumen and potential can convey the county’s commitment to its minority business community.

“The travel and hospitality industry can only continue to truly have equitable growth in Miami-Dade County if those in the Black business community are afforded viable opportunities,” Whitaker said. “Black Business Month can be used to reassess key relationships, evaluate resources and needs and enter into meaningful conversations to leverage the talents and drive of our entrepreneurs.”

Entrepreneur Shirlene Ingraham sits in one of the booths at her Jackson Soul Food II restaurant in Opa-locka on Aug. 11, 2022.
Entrepreneur Shirlene Ingraham sits in one of the booths at her Jackson Soul Food II restaurant in Opa-locka on Aug. 11, 2022. Carl Juste cjuste@miamiherald.com

Below are a sampling of upcoming Black Business Month events in Miami. Get registration and general information about them at www.bit.ly/MDEATevents.

Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m., Elevating Communities: A Black Business Month Salute to Million-Dollar Nonprofits, Florida Memorial University, 15800 NW 42nd Avenue, Miami Gardens.

Thursday, Aug. 17 at 6 p.m., Black Business Month Networking Mixer, The Hub at Office Logic, 1501 Biscayne Blvd., Miami.

Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 6 p.m., Pathways to Prosperity: A Black Business Month Panel with Million-Dollar Innovators, Dennis C. Moss Cultural Arts Center, 10950 S.W. 211 Street, Cutler Bay.

Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 5:30 p.m., Bold Moves, Strong Defenses — Cybersecurity and Resilience Best Practices, The Rum Room, 2100 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach.

Thursday, Aug. 24 at 11 a.m., Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau annual Partner Expo and Black Owned Business Celebration, Jungle Island, 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail, Miami.

Saturday, Aug. 26 at 11 a.m., The CEO Conference, Betty T. Ferguson, 3000 NW 199th Street, Miami Gardens.

Saturday, Aug. 26 at 3 p.m., Black Pepper Food & Wine Festival, The Urban, 1000 NW 2nd Avenue Miami.

Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 6 p.m., Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust hosts discussion with Alfred Edmond Jr., Ampersand Studios, 31 NE 17th Street, Miami.

Thursday, Aug. 31 at 6 p.m., Black Business Month Closeout Event, Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd Street, Miami.

Minority business owners Rose Jean, 40, left and husband Tony Jean, 45, right, discuss design elements for a customer’s order at their Tshirt Mayhem Corp. in Miami, on Aug. 11, 2022.
Minority business owners Rose Jean, 40, left and husband Tony Jean, 45, right, discuss design elements for a customer’s order at their Tshirt Mayhem Corp. in Miami, on Aug. 11, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Michael Butler
Miami Herald
Michael Butler writes about minority business and trends that affect marginalized professionals in South Florida. As a business reporter for the Miami Herald, he tells inclusive stories that reflect South Florida’s diversity. Just like Miami’s diverse population, Butler, a Temple University graduate, has both local roots and a Panamanian heritage.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER