MERIDIAN, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – Music, dancing, food, and black owned businesses.
Those were the highlights at the Black Business Expo at the MAX in downtown Meridian.
The event kicked off the city’s Juneteenth Heritage Festival.
An event that participants said is crucial to the Queen City.
“It’s very important for our community to empower people, you know, we get in our head that we have to work for somebody our whole life— no, you need to live your dream,” said Lou Nabors, owner of Country Boys Farm to Table Market.
Nabors was a keynote speaker at the expo— sharing his story of how he started his own business.
“I’m just here to hopefully inspire somebody. I think that’s the purpose for this event, to inspire people, and to have a celebration,” stated Nabors. “It’s a lot of young kids out here that are going to see this and are going to take it to a whole ‘nother level.”
Historically, Meridian has always had a black business district, and the impact of that history can still be felt today.
“My Aunt owned a restaurant here called AI Seafood that was a staple in the community on 5th street. Everyone knows about A1 Seafood— It was the best fish in town,” said Nabors.
“We need the exposure, these black businesses need the exposure. So, it is very important that we keep that black district alive because we want our black businesses to excel and exceed, so I think it’s very important that we do keep that alive,” said Smith.
However, starting your own business comes with a lot of challenges.
“Historically, local businesses, entrepreneurs, sometimes have a hard time with getting money and resources. When we have a partner like Citizens National Bank, who have different programs for minority or black businesses, and teaming up with them to let the black businesses know what’s going on, that’s a benefit,” said Cultural Affairs Coordinator Terrence Davis.
And when it comes to taking that leap of faith, local entrepreneurs say–
“Go for it. You know, everything is a risk. Take the risk, make sure you do everything the right way, and it will be rewarding and fun. You just have to make sure you enjoy it,” said
Music, dancing, food, and black owned businesses.
Those were the highlights at Friday night’s Black Business Expo at the MAX in downtown Meridian.
The event kicked off the City’s Juneteenth Heritage Festival.
An event that participants say is crucial to the Queen City.
“It’s very important for our community to empower people, you know, we get in our head that we have to work for somebody our whole life— no, you need to live your dream.” — Nabors
Lou Nabors, owner of Country Boys Farm to Table Market, was a keynote speaker at the expo— sharing his story of how he started his own business.
“I’m just here to hopefully inspire somebody. I think that’s the purpose for this event, to inspire people, and to have a celebration.”— Nabors
“It’s a lot of young kids out here that are going to see this and are going to take it to a whole ‘nother level.” – Nabors
Historically, Meridian has always had a black business district. And the impact of that history can still be felt today.
“My Aunt owned a restaurant here called AI Seafood that was a staple in the community on 5th street. Everyone knows about A1 Seafood— It was the best fish in town.”— Nabors
“We need the exposure, these black businesses need the exposure. So, it is very important that we keep that black district alive because we want our black businesses to excel and exceed, so I think it’s very important that we do keep that alive.” — Smith
But sometimes starting your own business, comes with a lot of challenges.
“Historically, Local businesses, entrepreneurs, sometimes have a hard time with getting money and resources. When we have a partner like Citizens National Bank, who have different programs for minority or black businesses, and teaming up with them to let the black businesses know what’s going on, that’s a benefit.”— Davis
And when it comes to taking that leap of faith.. Local entrepreneurs say–
“Go for it. You know, everything is a risk. Take the risk, make sure you do everything the right way, and it will be rewarding and fun. You just have to make sure you enjoy it,” said Truly TRiMm Apparel owner Dennis Heidelberg Jr.
At the end of the night, coordinators said there’s really only one take away.
“New customers. The businesses want new customers. We want the customers to be satisfied with the product that they have purchased or bought. We want that to happen then to start ringing their names in the community— the new businesses that they’ve come across,” said Davis.
