TAMPA, FL – On October 8-10, 2021, the Tampa-Hillsborough Action Plan, Inc. (THAPgroup) is hosting the annual Black Wall Street Experience & Small Business Expo (BWE), which, with the support of Wells Fargo, centers on increasing economic growth through entrepreneurship and financial literacy in an effort to close wealth disparities among Tampa Bay’s diverse communities. The three-day event hosted at the THAPgroup campus – 5508 N. 50th Street, Tampa, FL 33610 – is free and open to the public and features a variety of in-person and virtual experiences including a Small Business Expo, workshops on business development and financial education, and a ticked feature movie screening of ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ by Tampa Theatre.
BWE’s opening event features an in-person discussion on ‘Tampa Bay’s Black Wall Streets: Central Avenue & The Deuces,’ with Veatrice Farrell, Executive Director of The Deuces Live in St. Pete and Fred Hearns, Tampa historian and Curator of Black History for The Tampa Bay History Center leading the discussion on the heyday of Tampa’s Black business districts and their collective historical impact.
BWE has something for everyone. Entrepreneurs, organizations, and small business owners will benefit from speakers and panelists addressing topics ranging from niche marketing to strategic business development. Representatives from Wells Fargo will be on hand to address the critical lending and wealth gaps faced by Black entrepreneurs. Break-out sessions will also be held for individuals from all walks of life who are passionate about building generational wealth for families and communities.
“The purchasing power of Black Americans in Tampa Bay means nothing without strategies to use those resources effectively, whether in a business or in a household,” said Derrick Blue, CEO of THAPgroup. “BWE exists to make businesses more profitable and to give families the tools necessary to build a strong financial legacy.”
THAPgroup houses the 5508 CoWorking & Collaboration Exchange, a small business incubator, at their executive campus in East Tampa, located within one of the City of Tampa’s Community Redevelopment Areas. The annual BWE is a parallel to THAPgroup’s business initiatives and is a commitment to drive economic growth and financial education within the diverse communities that comprise the Tampa Bay region.
“We are excited to share this educational and business event with our community, and we encourage everyone to attend,” said Blue.
Eventgoers may visit thapgroup.org/blackwallstreet to view the entire event lineup and to RSVP for in-person events, including the Tampa Theatre film screening of ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ (in-person at 711 N. Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602; $10.00 General, $7.00 Tampa Theatre members).
THAPgroup remains focused on providing a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. In the continued need to address COVID-19, they are asking all attendees, speakers, and vendors to adhere to CDC guidelines. This includes wearing masks. In addition, THAPgroup has proactively implemented policies that include disinfectant and cleaning practices. To learn more about BWE visit, thapgroup.org/blackwallstreet.
THAPgroup is thankful to Wells Fargo, the Centennial Sponsor of the 2021 Black Wall Street Experience, and to all event sponsors for their tremendous contributions to this community friendly event (Suncoast Credit Union, City of Tampa, The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Hillsborough County, Tampa Theatre, The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Pinellas County Economic Development, US Small Business Administration, DSI Black Pages, Inc., Minority Enterprise Development Corp., CDC of Tampa, NEXT LEVEL Entertainment, The Power Broker, OMI Water, and Class Act Consulting).
About The Black Wall Street Experience & Small Business Expo
The Black Wall Street Experience & Business Expo (BWE) strives to build sustainable economies for families and neighborhoods within the Tampa Bay region. Through networking events, technology and economic forums, personal wealth seminars and other curated experiences, BWE is promoting dignity through action and closing wealth disparities among communities of color.
About THAPgroup
The mission of the Tampa-Hillsborough Action Plan, Inc. (THAPgroup) is to offer solutions that build social equity by awakening a sense of dignity within Southwest Florida residents who face educational, health, housing, and economic challenges. For more information, visit www.thapgroup.org.