Empowering Excellence: Celebrating Miami-Dade County’s Black Business Month

Miami-Dade County's Black Business Month kicked off with an electrifying atmosphere at the highly anticipated “Support Black Owned Business 305” (BOB 305) launch on August 3^rd. Hosted by the Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT), in collaboration with the City of Miami Beach and other community partners, the event celebrated the achievements of Black-owned businesses and fostered a sense of empowerment within the county.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of historic Virginia Key Beach, the once only Miami-Dade County beach accessible to the Black community, the evening took on added significance. Virginia Key Beach holds profound significance in Miami's segregation and Civil Rights history. During an era marked by sadness and injustice, this beach served as a safe gathering place for Black families, offering a respite from discrimination and segregation. Here, they could enjoy leisure activities and build a strong sense of community, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity. Today, historic Virginia Key Beach inspires empowerment and unity, and serves as a perfect venue for celebrating and uplifting Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. BOB 305 launch attendees were reminded of the progress made and the ongoing pursuit of economic empowerment and equality within the Miami-Dade business community.

The launch of BOB 305 marks a transformative moment for the promotion and empowerment of Black-owned businesses in the county. This inspiring initiative serves as a catalyst for economic growth, providing a dynamic platform for businesses to thrive and achieve success. The month-long calendar of free events (Register at www.bit.ly/MDEATevents) is a treasure trove of invaluable resources and support, designed to uplift and empower entrepreneurs, nurturing a vibrant and thriving business community.

During the launch, Miami Beach Assistant City Manager and Director of Economic Development, Rickelle Williams, shared Miami Beach’s commitment to supporting and growing Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. She highlighted the pivotal role black consumers, talent, and entrepreneurs play in shaping Miami Beach's vibrant and inclusive community and underscored the City's intentional support for Black businesses by showcasing the array of available resources and opportunities available in Miami Beach.

Williams also announced Miami Beach’s "Bold Moves, Strong Defenses: Small Business Cybersecurity and Resilience Best Practices" a special capacity-building and networking event on August 23^rd at the newly launched Rum Room (2100 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach), in partnership with MDEAT, IBM and CDW. The event will offer local businesses key insights and tools to combat cyber threats as well as free Business Risk Assessment sessions to attendees.

Register for this free event at http://bit.ly/MiamiBeachBoldMovesStrongDefenses