![]() Census Bureau released the findings of its most recent Annual Business Survey, covering 2019. “They create businesses they are hoping to turn into full-time businesses.” “A lot of Black people, on top of their 9 to 5 jobs, they have side hustles,” Harrison said. Some of those are defunct, partly due to the effects of the pandemic, but that still leaves hundreds of Black-owned businesses in the area. Harrison researched it and found about 130 Black-owned businesses listed in Henderson County, and close to 500 in Buncombe. More: Asheville YMI celebrates 129 years $5 million renovations to begin in April She started working in 2020 in ad sales for a local newspaper group and got curious about how many Black-owned businesses were in the area. ![]() “It doesn’t matter what color you are. If you persevere, and you keep trying and keep persevering through all the struggles and even the racism at times, you can accomplish your dreams and goals."Ī native of Washington, D.C., Harrison has been in Western North Carolina for nine years. “Part of me choosing those people is I wanted people to see that nothing is impossible,” Harrison said. The event will also feature multiple local entrepreneurs who've succeeded in various enterprises ranging from lawn care to youth programs. She’s a 13-time national pitch champion, three times number one best-selling author.”Īnother speaker, an African American, is one of nine children and grew up in extreme poverty, she added. “One of them was homeless, and she’s an attorney now. "Two of my Latinos speakers and one of my special guest speakers that will be appearing Friday, they started from poverty,” Harrison said. Harrison said they're expecting about 700 people to attend over three days. The event is free, with the exception of the keynote speaker luncheon, which costs $50 plus service fees. Rika Harrison, executive director of the WNC Black Business Expo, said she hopes and believes John's story, along with other featured speakers who are Latino and African American and overcame similarly challenging circumstances, will inspire those in attendance. John, who is African American, is also an author of five books, including New York Times best-sellers "The Power of Broke" and "Rise and Grind." As the event organizers note, he's come a long way from taking out a $100,000 mortgage on his mother's house and working from her basement. More: Opinion: Support for Black businesses growing making a difference That's a shark as in the hit ABC television show, "Shark Tank," which features budding or aspiring entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas to a panel of heavy-hitting entrepreneurs.ĭaymond John, CEO and Founder of FUBU, a global lifestyle brand and a fashion industry pioneer with over $6 billion in product sales worldwide, is in his 13th season on "Shark Tank." He will be the featured speaker April 9 of the three-day Expo, which will run from April 8-10 at the Crowne Plaza Resort in Asheville. ASHEVILLE - The inaugural WNC Black Business Expo is coming up in early April, featuring several high-profile speakers - including a big-time shark.
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