June 15 – It was more than just a fun party.
The Black Chamber of Commerce of New Mexico hosted a riveting Juneteenth celebration at Civic Plaza all afternoon and well into the night on Saturday. But the House had more in mind than just a party. It also hosted a Black Business Summit at the Albuquerque Convention Center, which included a pitch competition from local startups.
Karla Causey, the chamber’s president and CEO, said the purpose of the event was to inform entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs about the resources available to them.
She said too often, Black entrepreneurs don’t take advantage of incentives that are within reach.
“What we found during COVID was that a lot of our businesses that didn’t succeed, didn’t succeed because they didn’t know about the resources,” Causey said.
The symposium also had games for children, provided by a local small businessman, and a financial literacy session for teens.
WESST (Women’s Economic Self-Sufficiency Team), Sandia National Laboratories, the FBI, local banks and other business development organizations had booths at the event.
“There are still so many discriminatory practices that the Black community faces today,” Causey said. “And sometimes it happens that they don’t even know about it.”
Malcolm Shelby, a 31-year-old entrepreneur, was at the event for his company, Throwback’s Rollerskating and Entertainment. His company set up an arcade, mini golf course and roller skating rink in the Downtown Convention Center.
He started his business in 2020, during the pandemic, in parks so kids could learn to skate while socially distancing. He said his usual customers include schools, community centers and churches.
“We want to give the next generation something to aspire to,” Shelby said. “Kids are excited about what I do. Sometimes they ask me what I do, and I say, ‘I teach kids to roller skate every day,’ and they say, ‘That sounds fun.’ .'”
