Edwin Muhammad, founder of HEAL Innovators in Miami, had uncertain expectations about attending a networking event at Historic Virginia Beach Park.
He contemplated spending a business day on an event that could potentially set him back, but instead, he found it to be exactly what he needed.
“I actually met with some key people that I specifically need for what we’re looking at doing,” Muhammad expressed after participating in the “Business Link Up on the Beach” event.
This gathering, led by Miami Commissioner Christine King, took place against the picturesque backdrop of Virginia Key, where local government officials, non-profits, and business owners gathered under the shade of a tent beside the park’s Historic Concession Stand.
“That’s why we do these business link-ups, right?” Commissioner King stated.
“You never know who you’re going to run into. You never know who you’re going to see and what resources you’ll learn about and who.”
District 2 Commissioner Damian Pardo joined the event, engaging with attendees about available initiatives and opportunities through the Omni CRA.
“The most important thing about this event is linkage,” Pardo emphasized.
“Often, Black businesses are not connected to various parts of the community that can provide the crucial resources and connections that are available.”
The objective of the event was to merge organizations with substantial resources and programs, provide education to the community, and allow participants to enjoy a beautiful day at the beach while celebrating Black business owners.
Volunteer and education coordinators Maya Forbes and Luiz Serra Arenas welcomed participants to the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, highlighting its significance as a community gathering spot.
“This has been a place of community building,” Forbes said.
“Communities come out to enjoy the beach and work together to foster connections.”
Forbes explained that the event aimed to share resources with the community in celebration of Black Business Month in August.
In addition to networking opportunities, attendees enjoyed complimentary food, drinks, and a raffle.
Participating vendors included South Florida Debris Free Oceans, Miami Waterkeeper, the Omni CRA, The Little Haiti Revitalization Trust, and the Bayfront Park Development Trust, among others.
Many of these vendors aimed to promote available grants for small business owners and foster opportunities for collaboration.
Joann Milord, president and CEO of the Little Haiti Revitalization Trust, encouraged attendees to learn more about their services, including small business grants, home rehabilitation programs, and homebuyer assistance.
Milord noted that Black homebuyers in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods such as Liberty City often face challenges when trying to return to their communities due to income qualifications, high home prices, and low credit scores.
Santravia Butler, special event manager at the Bayfront Park Management Trust Corporation, invited Black business owners to fill out special event applications for hosting events at Bayfront Park.
She referenced recurring events like the Haitian Compas Festival and the Best of the Best Caribbean Festival that celebrate Black culture.
“We support [Black businesses], and we want them to know that anything they need, Bayfront Park is willing to help,” Butler said.
City of Miami procurement analyst Tahlia Gray mentioned several projects available for business services on their website, aiming to encourage small businesses to take advantage of the city’s opportunities.
Cecilia Jones, executive director of the City of Miami’s Omni Community Redevelopment Agency, reiterated the focus on underserved communities.
“We want them to know, and we want to let all of Miami know that we are here as a resource in the City of Miami,” Jones stated.
Statistics reveal that in 2022, businesses with majority Black ownership made up only about 3% of companies in the United States and generated a mere 1% of total revenue among classified firms, according to the Pew Research Center.
Commissioner King highlighted a small business grant available in District 5 that provides support of up to $10,000 specifically for small business owners.
At the event’s conclusion, King expressed gratitude to all participants for their involvement and the celebration of Black Business Month.
“We are here to celebrate. Celebrate Business Month. Celebrate you. Celebrate our businesses,” King proclaimed.
“It is absolutely the most diverse district in the City of Miami, but we share it with all our colleagues in the City of Miami. It is absolutely the Magic City.”
Pardo also took the opportunity to promote his workshop titled Partnering for Progress, which aims to empower individuals with information about various city departments to better advocate for their neighborhoods.
Edwin Muhammad of HEAL Innovators mentioned his intent to follow up on the connections made at the event immediately to create positive change.
The Key Biscayne Independent and Liberty City Independent receive support from the Press Forward program at the Key Biscayne Community Foundation, which focuses on community cultural, arts, and event coverage.
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image source from：kbindependent
