The Truth Staff
The Black Wall Street Community Development, a group of Toledo Black business owners, met again on Wednesday, October 30, at The Truth Colours Gallery, to mingle, trade information, form collaborative efforts and hear several individuals talk about various opportunities for business owners.
The Black Wall Street Community Development is a collaborative effort formed by Toledo’s Black media companies – 107.3 The Juice Radio station, The Sojourner’s Truth Newspaper and the Stalwart Magazine – to bring Black owned businesses together. The networking, speed funding, educational gatherings started in August 2023 and have been ongoing since then.
Last week’s event at The Truth Colours Gallery, an art gallery and event center operated by resident artist and BWSCD member Nikola Welcome-Bovell, was opened by Toni Battle, sales manager at The Juice, who conceived the idea of the BWSCD. After her welcome, Fletcher Word, publisher of The Truth, led the attendees in an introduction session – each speaker had the opportunity to explain his or her business or organization and what that business offers to the community.
The keynote address was delivered by Robert Smith, executive director of the African American Legacy Project, who spoke of his organization’s plan to revitalize the Dorr Street corridor and the inspiration his group and others have received by contact with the efforts of the Columbus Ohio planners who did the same though their 20 year project.
Crystal Darnell, director of the Department of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion office of Lucas County, spoke of the plans her office is undertaking to grow and strengthen minority-owned businesses.
Stayce Fowler, publisher of Stalwart Magazine, addressed what membership in the BWSCD will mean in the future – more collaborative opportunities, expanded funding connections – and Kristie Knighten of KpK Unlimited, LLC, described how group members can interact during upcoming BWSCD programming.
Pulling it all together was Shanice Sample of BottlesUp Bartending. Sample brought her signature cocktails to the party to the delight of the attendees.
The BWSCD began in August 2023 with an introductory meeting at 32NINE Studio. Subsequently the group has held bi monthly networking meetings along with a speed funding session and a variety of business instruction meetings.
The holiday networking mixer will be held at the Entrepreneurs Club on December 4.
