Everyone — from those with an idea for a business, those juggling a side hustle and seasoned entrepreneurs to those who just want to understand what is happening in the Pittsburgh Black business sector — is invited to participate in Greenwood Week.
The seventh annual Greenwood Week aims to refine Black businesses by providing them access to the necessary resources for them to thrive. The business expo hosted by The Greenwood Plan is a conference that includes workshops, networking opportunities and seminars led by regional entrepreneurs. Greenwood Week will run from Thursday, Oct. 9, through Saturday, Oct. 11, at Emerald City in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Why Greenwood Week? Well, it’s absolutely necessary.
Historically, Black businesses have suffered. In 1921, the Greenwood section of Tulsa, Oklahoma — a bustling business center filled with Black merchants and other entrepreneurs known as Black Wall Street — was obliterated by racists.
Today, Black business owners still face challenges. According to the Brookings Institute, Black businesses grapple with the weight of systemic racism, which results in lower credit ratings and lower loan offerings, among other things.
Although the rate of Black business ownership is surging nationwide, Pittsburgh is still lagging behind. It has the lowest rate of Black-owned businesses among U.S. metro areas: only 1%, according to census data.
Greenwood Week aims to shift this narrative through intentionality. The conference provides an assertive response to the devastating opposition that may waylay Black businesses.
“We want Black businesses to thrive regardless of what is happening in the market and regardless of which administration is in office,” said Chardaé Jones, a spokesperson for Greenwood Week.
The conference opens on Thursday with classes centered on business law, finance and insurance. Friday is an open coworking day at Emerald City. This is a new offering, Jones said, to foster inclusivity among the business community.
“We want anyone who wants to work together to be able to work together, regardless of ability to pay,” Jones said, stating that the coworking day is completely free. Removing gatekeeping is one of the goals of Greenwood Week, Jones said, and allowing people to mingle and interact is key for that.
Terri Lawson, owner of TerriBerriez Sweet Boutique and Cafe’, was a vendor at last year’s conference. Terri noted the networking opportunities presented at the conference.
“It is also a great opportunity for small business owners to be in the room with a lot of lenders and other small business entities that can help elevate a small business in ways we’ve never known” Lawson said.
There will also be resource tables during the event and one-on-one consultations for businesses. On Friday, there will be the State of Black Business town hall.
Greenwood Week will conclude with levity and relaxation at a brunch party on Saturday.
Greenwood Week is operated by The Greenwood Plan, a nonprofit focused on supporting the communal health of Black communities that was established in 2021.
Sponsors include Cocoapreneur, Dollar Bank and Neighborhood Allies. Sponsorship opportunities are still available by contacting the organization.
Jones said that the hope of Greenwood Week is for attendees to know that they are in a community that needs their bold ideas and their businesses. And in turn, there is a community that will uplift them.
“My personal experience was phenomenal,” Lawson said. “I got to engage with other small business owners throughout the City of Pittsburgh in one space and enjoy lot of original designers and caterers as well as technical business owners and graphic designers that I did not know exist here in the City of Pittsburgh.”
