By Dawn Scotland
The Truth Reporter
The Blackwall Street Community Development hosted its bi-monthly networking event Dec 4 at The Entrepreneurs Club on 222 Fassett St. The series of events, which began in August 2023, have become a premier networking event for Black entrepreneurs to connect, collaborate and support fellow Black owned businesses in northwest Ohio.
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 and have been ongoing and growing since 2023.
Last week’s event at the black owned Entrepreneurs Club was opened by Toni Gaines Battle, sales manager at The Juice, who conceived the idea of the BWSCD. After her welcome, attendees heard an impassioned speech by Nikola Welcome-Bovell, of The Truth Colours Gallery, encouraging the Black community, in general, to work together, and a speech from Alisa Gafeney, who spoke of the benefits of yoga and other physically relaxing activities.
Fletcher Word, publisher of The Truth, led the attendees in an introduction session and each attendee had the opportunity to explain his or her business or organization and what that business offers to the community.
Attendees included realtors, poets, restaurant owners, financial advisors, holistic wellness providers, content creators, media owners and more – giving each individual the opportunity to grow their business among likeminded people.
The BWSCD began in August 2023 with an introductory meeting at the black-owned 32NINE Studio. Subsequently the group has held bimonthly networking meetings along with a speed funding session and a variety of business instruction meetings. Each event includes refreshments and is free to the public.
The next event will be in February date and location TBA.
