Cambridge Celebrates Black Business Month

CAMBRIDGE, MA, August 1, 2022 -- In August, the City of Cambridge will celebrate National Black Business Month. This month-long event highlights Black entrepreneurs thriving through the unique challenges they face. Cambridge is celebrating Black Business Month to recognize the importance of Black businesses to our local community and the national economy.  

The month’s events include panel discussions, networking events, and informational sessions designed to support and promote Black businesses owners and provide them opportunities to connect with one another. The City will also feature Black businesses in Cambridge on social media throughout the month. Community members may join the celebration by supporting Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs this month and beyond.

“Cambridge’s celebration of Black Business Month is part of the Economic Opportunity and Development Division’s ongoing efforts to foster an inclusive and sustainable economy, and uplift entrepreneurs facing systemic barriers such as institutional racism,” said Iram Farooq, Assistant City Manager for Community Development. “We are proud to celebrate Black Business Month again this year and recognize the contributions local Black-owned businesses have made not only to our economy, but to Cambridge’s cultural fabric.”

Other Economic Opportunity and Development efforts have included updating the Business Diversity Directory, celebrating Small Business Week and Women’s Business Month, running workshops for food entrepreneurs, and more.   

National Black Business Month was created in 2004 by Frederick Jordan and John William Templeton in an effort to uplift and celebrate Black businesses through the unique and enormous challenges they face. Cambridge began celebrating Black Business Month in 2021 in partnership with Cambridge-Somerville Black Business Network, the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, Cambridge Local First, and the Sustainable Business Network.

For more information and a list of events, visit www.cambridgema.gov/BlackBizMonth.