For the third year in a row, Black business owners and community leaders are invited to the Minnesota State Capitol to share their needs with legislators at Black Entrepreneurs Day.
The Feb. 3 event kicks off with a morning rally in the Capitol Rotunda followed by one-on-one meetings between Black entrepreneurs and lawmakers. It ends with a complementary lunch.
“We’re creating a space where Black business owners can connect with each other, access resources and amplify their voices in the halls of power,” said event founder and small-business advocate Sheletta Brundidge, in a news release. “Together, we’re ensuring our contributions to Minnesota’s economy are recognized, respected and supported.”
Attendees will include Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minnesota Sen. Judy Seeberger and Rep. Jim Nash, who represents Carver County towns Chaska and Waconia and has agreed to meet with business owners outside his district if the DFL stalemate is ongoing, said Brundidge, who is the founder and owner of podcast and production company ShelettaMakesMeLaugh..
Seeberger, a Democrat whose district includes Cottage Grove and Hastings, will also speak at the event to honor former Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic, who recently died of cancer at 62.
In keeping with previous years, Brundidge said a $5,000 grant will be awarded to one of the attendees. The event’s first two years saw a turnout of around 400 people.
If you’re planning to attend, Brundidge recommends coming with a list of questions and demands, such as what you need for your business to succeed, what issues you’ve faced in the last year and how your representative can help.
Black Entrepreneurs Day
When: 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 3
Where: Minnesota State Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul
RSVP: ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com
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