Official Rules & Regulations

Best of Black Business 2026 – Presented by the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder & Sister Spokesman

Eligibility

  • Businesses must be at least 51% Black-owned to qualify.
  • Businesses must have a physical location and an active website to be eligible.
  • Businesses may be nominated in only one category per year.
  • MSR staff and their immediate families are not eligible to participate.

Categories

Nominations and voting are open in the following five categories:

  • Hair & Nails
  • Food & Drink
  • Retail & Merchandise
  • Health & Wellness
  • Professional Services (examples: carpet layers, lawyers, accountants, handymen, marketing services, and more)

Nominations

  • Nominations are open June 1 – June 30, 2026.
  • Nominators may submit one nomination per category per day using a valid email address.
  • The Top 10 businesses with the most nominations in each category advance to the voting stage.
  • In the event of a tie for the 10th nomination spot, the advancing business will be determined at the discretion of MSR editorial staff.
  • Duplicate, fraudulent, or automated submissions may be disqualified at the discretion of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

Voting

  • Voting is open July 1 – August 31, 2026 at midnight.
  • Voters may cast one vote per category per day using a valid email address.
  • Duplicate, fraudulent, or automated submissions may be disqualified at the discretion of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

Winner Selection

  • The business with the most valid votes in each category will be declared the winner.
  • Winners will be verified for eligibility before being announced.
  • In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined by MSR editorial staff.

Winner Benefits

Each category winner will receive:

  • Plaque recognizing them as 2026 Best of Black Business in their category
  • Two months of print advertising (1/8 page) in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • One month of digital banner ads on MSR’s website
  • One dedicated social media post across MSR platforms
  • Recognition at the Best of Black Business Awards on November 7, 2026

Release & Permissions

By nominating or voting, you:

  • Consent to the publication of your submission and related information.
  • Grant MSR the right to use names, likenesses, and submissions for promotional purposes.

Mailing List Consent

By submitting a nomination or vote, you agree to be added to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder mailing list, which includes the MSR Today newsletter and client advertising newsletters. You may unsubscribe at any time.

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