The Northland Black Business Showcase is back and happening this Saturday

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Small businesses are a huge economic force in the Northland, and there’s a wide range of unique, diverse businesses and diverse entrepreneurs.

The third annual Northland Black Business Showcase is back this Saturday from 1-4 pm at the Depot, with the fashion show taking place at 1:30 pm.

The event was created by Kia Ronning with an idea that has turned into a platform for local black businesses. Working alongside Ronning is Pez Davila, the Operations Manager at the Family Freedom Center in Duluth.

Davila shares how the event has grown over the past two years. “The goal for the first year was to highlight the different businesses, small businesses here in Duluth that are people of color. The goal for this year is to get more businesses involved and to highlight more small businesses in the area. Just the culture around here, the different skills that individuals have, and show the people in Duluth that there is a lot in the area that people may not know about. People that are doing really great things and super cool things and creative but is inspiring to the youth around here as well.”

Running a business is not easy and first-time event vendor Timothy McCray says the showcase is about learning how to grow his company. “I’m excited about the connections and to just be able to see other entrepreneurs in their prime. Just to be able to sit back and watch and potentially learn different things as sales regimens, etc. I’m also excited for people to be able to see what I have to offer.

This event is designed to be inspiring, but it is also a chance to celebrate businesses that have been part of our community for a long time.

“A lot of black-owned businesses of color have been doing things for a long time. They never really got the look or the people to come in or even knew how to start to integrate into the city. Our goal is for them to know that they are seen and to help others see them as well. You know, not just as a black-owned business, but as a business,” Pez shared.