Join us each week as we celebrate black-owned Buffalo businesses!
See below the lineup of free, community events The Exchange will be hosting this August:
A series of events and workshops during August for National Black Business Month.
Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023
The Business of Business: Youth Edition
We say that children are our future. Well, some of them say that they are our present. Hear from young entrepreneurs and learn how they built their businesses. This will be a fun time for young entrepreneurs and parents with future entrepreneurs.
Wednesday, August 9th, 2023
The Business of Real Estate
Learn what it takes to start, run and grow a real estate business. Learn from successful entrepreneurs that did it. Entrepreneurs from different facets of Real Estate will be on hand to give the REAL DEAL!
Thursday, August 10th, 2023
The Business of Credit
Learn what it takes to increase your credit score, leverage credit to build wealth, and create a personal finance plan. Financial expert Ruth Elisa will give a hands-on workshop around all things credit!
Wednesday, August 16th, 2023
The Business of Cannabis
Cannabis is becoming ever more popular as it relates to business. With the new laws that affect how business is done, it is important to learn how to maneuver this $13.2 Billion market. Learn from experts and those paving the way in this high-growth industry.
Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023
The Business of Food
Food, Food, and More Food! Learn the food business from those who built restaurants, caterer services, food trucks, and more. Listen as they talk about their trials and triumphs while dropping jewels for future entrepreneurs coming to the industry.
Sunday, August 27th, 2023
Pull Up & Pitch Beau Flueve X The Exchange at Beverly Gray
“PULL UP & PITCH” Competition. The pitch competition focuses on normalizing business pitching, creating visibility for innovative ideas, and supporting small business revitalization. It’s a fast-paced, highly entertaining competition where small business owners, entrepreneurs, artists, and musicians will Pull up & Pitch their business or new idea to a panel of judges! Pull Up & Pitch winners will receive prizes that include business capital, free co-working space for six months, free legal, financial, and business development services, and six months of business mentorship.
Wednesday, August 30th, 2023
Black Business Block Party
Celebrate with The Exchange at Beverly Gray
Food Trucks • Vendors • Giveaways • IGNITE LABS Tours • DJ • And More
Thursday, August 31st, 2023
Black Business Month 2nd Annual Celebration
Celebrate National Black Business Month with The Exchange at Beverly Gray
Guest Speaker • Panel Discussion • Art Walk • Food • DJ • Networking
Black Business Month is celebrated in August — it’s a time to acknowledge and appreciate black-owned businesses across the nation and all they represent in the country’s continual striving for diversity and equality. Denise Moore, CEO of the Black Business Alliance in Peoria, Illinois, has this to say about the importance of Black Business Month: “Black Business Month is exciting because it allows us to focus on a community that is far too often underrepresented when it comes to access to capital and opportunities to build wealth.”
When we celebrate the contribution of black business owners and entrepreneurs, it pays homage to them and their legacies, especially since celebrating this month recognizes the importance of black-owned businesses in contributing to the nation’s economy. Approximately 10% of all American businesses are black-owned, and if we look at what statistics say about minority-owned businesses, about 30% of these would belong to black business owners. The primary sectors in which black-owned businesses operate include health care, social work, repair and maintenance, beauty salons, restaurants, and more. Black businesses across the country are booming and on the rise, with Washington D.C. having the highest ratio of black-owned businesses, a whopping 28%
With support from Mayor Byron Brown, Community Services for Every1, M&T Bank and Bank on Buffalo, the Exchange at Beverly Gray is thrilled to bring this end-of-month celebration to all our entrepreneurs and business owners. We will have fire-side chats, a vendor fair, music, food, a cash bar, networking, and business resources!
This is an event you won't want to miss!