“Black Entrepreneurs Day” organized by Daymond John, FUBU founder and “Shark Tank” judge returns for the fourth time at the Apollo Theatre on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. EST.
The annual event to support Black entrepreneurs will feature live conversations with business leaders and cultural icons including Whoopi Goldberg, Shaquille O’Neal, and Anthony Anderson.
Launched in 2020, the event has provided more than $750,000 in grants to business owners via the NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant, which John created. Unlike his investments on Shark Tank, the grants are “no-strings-attached” money that business owners can use however they see fit.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, rapper Rick Ross will also join John in conversation at the event, which takes place on November 1 and will be streamed live on the Black Entrepreneurs Day website as well as on YouTube and Facebook. Last year’s BED attracted over 7.6 million broadcast viewers.
“Supporting these business owners is not just something you need to do because it’s the right thing; it’s proven to increase the bottom line substantially,” says John. “When you look at many of the companies that Black communities support, those companies are doing well because they look and think like the people they serve.”
Black entrepreneurs and small-business owners can apply for a $25,000 NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant through October 11, 2023.