What's Happening?
The second annual Best of Black Business Awards, hosted by Sister Spokesman and the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, took place on November 7, 2026, at the Center for Performing Arts. The event honored top Black-owned businesses in Minnesota across five
categories, with winners selected through public nomination and voting. Golden Thyme won in Food and Drink, Hayat Beauty Salon in Hair and Nails, 612 Jungle in Health and Wellness, Minuteman Press Uptown in Professional Services, and Strive Bookstore in Retail and Merchandise. MSR CEO and Publisher Tracey Williams-Dillard emphasized the importance of community support for these businesses. Winners expressed that the community's recognition made the awards particularly meaningful, highlighting the significance of creating inclusive spaces and supporting local Black entrepreneurship. The event also featured local vendors, food, and a performance by Tasha Prince of Sounds of Blackness.
Why It's Important?
This event is crucial for the U.S. business landscape, particularly in Minnesota, as it highlights and supports Black-owned businesses, which often face unique challenges in accessing capital and market opportunities. By providing a platform for recognition and community endorsement, the awards help to increase visibility and patronage for these enterprises, fostering economic growth within the Black community. This initiative contributes to closing wealth gaps and promoting economic equity by strengthening local economies and creating jobs. The emphasis on community choice in the awards process underscores the importance of local support networks and consumer power in shaping business success. For the broader U.S. economy, the success of such initiatives demonstrates the potential for targeted support to diversify business ownership and stimulate innovation, ultimately leading to a more resilient and inclusive economic environment.
What's Next?
Following the awards, the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder plans to feature profiles of each winning business in its 'On the Radar' section, further increasing their visibility and encouraging continued community support. This ongoing media coverage will help sustain the momentum generated by the awards ceremony. The success of this second annual event suggests that it will likely become a recurring fixture, potentially expanding in scope and influence in future years. Other communities and organizations across the U.S. may look to this model as a blueprint for establishing similar initiatives to support their local Black-owned businesses. The continued emphasis on community engagement and public voting indicates a sustained effort to empower consumers in driving local economic development and recognizing entrepreneurial excellence within underrepresented groups.
Beyond the Headlines
Beyond the immediate recognition, the Best of Black Business Awards reflect a broader cultural and economic movement towards intentional support for minority-owned businesses in the U.S. This initiative is not just about celebrating individual businesses but also about building collective community wealth and challenging systemic inequalities. The stories shared by the winners, such as Gabrielle Roberts of 612 Jungle creating an inclusive wellness space and Mary Taris of Strive Bookstore fostering community gathering, highlight the social impact of these enterprises beyond their commercial functions. They serve as cultural hubs and safe spaces, contributing to the social fabric of their communities. The awards also underscore the power of local media, like the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, in championing community-led economic development and providing a voice for underrepresented business owners, thereby fostering a more equitable and representative business ecosystem.
