Minneapolis kicks off Black Business Week 2025

July 23, 2025
Community Planning & Economic Development

The fifth annual City of Minneapolis Black Business Week celebrates and elevates Black-owned businesses – part of the City’s ongoing efforts to strengthen equitable economic opportunity and inclusive growth across Minneapolis, while bolstering civic and community pride among residents. The honorary week goes from July 24 through July 31.

“Black-owned businesses are foundational to the success of Minneapolis—past, present, and future,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “Black Business Week is about recognizing that investing in these entrepreneurs is an investment in equity, inclusion and the kind generational wealth that uplifts entire communities. It’s how we build a stronger, more just city for everyone.”

Kick-Off

The “Legacy on the Block: A Black Business Showcase” starts at George Floyd Square.

  • 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.: The “Black Business Experience” includes rotating stations for:
    • A tour of George Floyd Square and Black businesses (starting at the northwest corner of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue)
    • A kitchen activation at City Foods Studio at 3722 Chicago Avenue South
    • An art crawl at PLOT Gallery at 3730 Chicago Avenue South
  • 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Vendor and resource fair at The Square Event Center
  • 5 p.m.: Panel discussion on Building a Legacy at The Square Event Center
  • 6 p.m. Artist talk in the PLOT Gallery

“Now more than ever, it’s time to double down on our support for Black-owned businesses,” said City Council President Elliott Payne, Ward 1. “Black Business Week is a great time to renew our commitment to supporting Black-owned businesses and cultural institutions not just with our words, but also with tangible resources and monetary support.”

Black Business Week started in 2021 as a way to honor the Black-owned business environment that is vital to the spirit of Minneapolis. 

“The 38th Street corridor is an important cultural connector in our city,” said Council Member Andrea Jenkins, Ward 8. “From the legendary Black economic hub at Fourth Avenue to Sabathani Community Center to Arts on Chicago, it’s rich in history. I’m honored to represent this area and to host the City’s fifth annual Black Business Week Kickoff event at 38th and Chicago, known as George Floyd Square. It’s an epicenter for racial justice and healing, and home to several Black-owned businesses - a community that deserves lasting investment.”

Since the summer of 2020, the City of Minneapolis has invested more than $5 million into housing, infrastructure, art preservation and social services in the area around George Floyd Square. The business development division of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED) completed a forgivable loan program in 2021 that awarded $1.5 million for 30 loans. Borrowers used the funds on things like payroll, rent, mortgage, utilities property repair and other working capital needs. Through a partnership with Pillsbury United Communities, the City has also provided career training and job placement services.

Schedule of events

The rest of the week has no shortage of other events, with more information found on the Black Business Week page on the Black Business Week site. 

  • July 25 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Ignite Business Conference: From Spark to Strategy – Mia – 2400 Third Avenue South
  • July 26 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Black Business Week Street Mall – Capri Theatre – 2027 West Broadway
  • July 26 – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Webber Camden & Northside Epicenter Black Business Expo – Northside Epicenter – 705 North 42nd Avenue
  • July 28 – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. - East African Business Resource Fair – Brian Coyle Community Center – 420 15th Avenue South
  • July 29 – 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. - The Business of Self-Care: A Micro-Workshop for Entrepreneurs – Black Business Enterprises – 1128 Harmon Place, suite 200
  • July 30 – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Black Business Week Summit – Midtown Global Market – 920 East Lake Street
  • July 31 – 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. - Entity Essentials: LLCs, Corporations and More - Online
  • July 31 – 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. - Speed Mentoring with the Experts – Camden Social – 4601 North Lyndale Avenue.

Check out this video message from Mayor Frey, Council President Payne and Council Member Jenkins.

Watch the news conference here at this link. 

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