For the fourth year in a row, Shark Tank star Daymond John has announced the return of “Black Entrepreneurs Day” in an effort to give black business owners a boost. The day combines business and entertainment to honor and empower black entrepreneurs who own and run small enterprises.
According to CNBC News, the event will return on November 1, 2023, with famous visitors such as Whoopi Goldberg and Shaquille O’Neal, as well as insights from top Black business leaders.
The event will take place at the Apollo Theater in Manhattan and will be streamed live online. The event is also free to attend and will be broadcast on the Black Entrepreneurs Day website and social media channels such as Facebook and YouTube.
“This year is special because of the list of returning sponsors, including JP Morgan Chase, The General, Shopify, T Mobile, and Lowes,” said John in an interview with BET.com. “I’m starting to get excited about it. As you start to get into your groove, you start to see who are your friends and cohorts and who are the people who really have your back. These brands have got my back.”
Black Entrepreneurs Day was founded in response to the “frustration over injustice” caused by the death of George Floyd in 2020. According to CNBC News, it was founded later that year to “celebrate” Black company entrepreneurs amid a focus on systemic racism and economic disparities.
Large organizations such as JPMorgan Chase’s Chase for Business and Shopify have attended the event. According to CNBC News, interest among corporate sponsors has waned since the program’s inception in 2020.
“It was very easy [to get corporations on board] the first year,” John said. “I said, ‘Will you stand by me and say that you are on the right side of this discussion?’”
This year’s celebrity speakers and other notable voices will share their entrepreneurship experiences with John on stage. Rick Ross will also give a musical performance in commemoration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, according to BET.
In addition, John’s event has teamed with the NAACP to award eight entrepreneurs $25,000 through the NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant.