Black Entrepreneurship is on the rise and Detroit is not sequestered from this growing trend. In fact, Detroit was identified by Rolling Out magazine as one of the top 20 cities in the nation for for Black entrepreneurs to start a business. However, Detroit is already very much Black and already has many Black businesses. Detroit’s Black businesses only make up 15% of all privately owned business revenues in the city of Detroit, and over 69% of all Black-owned businesses in Detroit only have 1 employee on record – as compared to just 33% of White-owned businesses.

• So what can we learn from existing businesses here before starting new ones?
• How can we maximize our positive impact on Detroit? How should we work together?
• Where should young Black professionals try spending their dollars so they can help the community?
• What should young Blacks who are starting a new business, or considering it, keep in mind that is specific to Detroit? Why should we start businesses or not?

In partnership with the Independent Business Association, Black Young Professionals of Metro Detroit will be holding a public panel discussion entitled “Established Entrepreneurs” which will be a candid conversation about the challenges and values of Black-owned businesses in Detroit. We will tackle the hurdles and triumphs of some of Detroit’s existing brick and mortar Black-owned businesses, as well as the growing impetus for more Black entrepreneurs in the city. These two ends of the spectrum will be brought together to paint an image of what Detroit has versus what it needs. We will highlight advice for those who want to support Black Business, as well as the entrepreneurs themselves.

The discussion moderated by Black Young Professionals of Detroit at the Livernois Pop-up shop in the heart of Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion. It will feature a collection of successful Black business owners who are currently operating in the city of Detroit. People of all backgrounds are encouraged to partake in this edifying engagement on the evening of Friday, September 8th with light refreshments provided as well as pre+post networking opportunities galore. Engage, mingle, and learn in the name of economic growth for our Black community. We intend for every attendee to leave with a greater sense of their role within the Black economy and a deeper, more appreciative understanding of the challenges of starting and running a small business, especially as an African American. This is all in effort so that we can better know where and why to direct our dollars in these days of massive change in the city of Detroit.

Free event but RSVP is required as there is limited room. You do not need to bring a printout of your ticket.

Doors open at 6pm
Discussion starts promptly at 6:30pm until 8:00pm

Any questions or concerns can be directed to our team at contact@bypdetroit.org