Black Business Weekend: Three Events to Know Nov. 6 and 7
Three organizations are hosting events for Black entrepreneurs the first weekend of November. The Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce’s Strengthen the Strong Summit & Expo opens Friday, Nov. 6, at Park Square Theatre in St. Paul and continues Saturday, Nov. 7, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Black Business Enterprises hosts its 6th Annual Black Business Ball, “Secret Garden: Honoring the Legends,” Nov. 7 at Quincy Hall in Minneapolis, with tickets starting at $225. The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder and Sister Spokesman host the Best of Black Business Awards Nov. 7, noon to 3 p.m., at the Center for Performing Arts, where 14 honorees will learn their placements live. The Black Market’s Black Business Is Beautiful marketplace follows Nov. 14 and Dec. 12.
Minnesota’s Black business community has a packed calendar the first weekend of November. Three organizations are hosting events Nov. 6 and 7 to celebrate, connect and equip Black entrepreneurs.
The weekend opens with the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce’s Strengthen the Strong Summit & Expo. The two-day event will bring together entrepreneurs, business leaders, corporate partners, resource organizations and community members around business growth, education, connections and opportunity. It kicks off the evening of Friday, Nov. 6, at Park Square Theatre in St. Paul, with doors opening at 5 p.m. and the program starting at 5:30 p.m. The summit continues Saturday, Nov. 7, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Minneapolis Convention Center, with expert-led workshops, business resources, networking and plenary conversations.
The summit is one of the Chamber’s largest events of the year. It follows the Chamber’s August gala, where it inducted the inaugural class of the Minnesota Black Business Hall of Fame.
That evening, Black Business Enterprises (BBE) will host its 6th Annual Black Business Ball, themed “Secret Garden: Honoring the Legends,” at Quincy Hall, 1325 Quincy St. NE in Minneapolis. The black-tie fundraising gala recognizes minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs making a positive impact on the community. Festivities begin at 5 p.m., and organizers expect more than 400 guests. Tickets start at $225 and are available at blackbusinessball.com.
BBE is a Minneapolis nonprofit founded by Nancy Korsah. It supports Black entrepreneurs through resources, connections, mentorship and economic opportunity from its downtown Minneapolis location. Proceeds from the ball support that work.
Readers who want to keep shopping Black-owned after the weekend can visit The Black Market’s Black Business Is Beautiful marketplace. It’s held from 2 to 6 p.m. Nov. 14 and Dec. 12 at The Lab, 767 N. Eustis St. in St. Paul.
The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder and Sister Spokesman will host the second annual Best of Black Business Awards Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 7, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Center for Performing Arts, 3754 Pleasant Ave. in Minneapolis.
Fifteen honorees chosen by the community in five categories (Food & Drink, Hair & Nails, Health & Wellness, Retail & Merchandise, and Professional Services) will learn their first-, second- and third-place finishes live on stage. The afternoon also includes shopping with local vendors, a meal and networking.
Tickets are $25. To find out more and purchase tickets, visit tix.spokesman-recorder.com/e/best-of-black-business-awards-2026/tickets.
Disclosure: MSR Publisher and CEO Tracey Williams-Dillard was inducted into the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Minnesota Black Business Hall of Fame class in August. MSR and Sister Spokesman host the Best of Black Business Awards.