The City of Atlantic City hosted its inaugural Black Business Expo on Aug. 26 at the historic All Wars Memorial Building, offering local Black entrepreneurs and small business owners a platform to showcase their products, build connections, and access resources.
The event featured panel discussions with both emerging and established business leaders, live radio broadcasts promoting local brands, and a curated art exhibit led by Atlantic City historian Ralph Hunter. Attendees also had the opportunity to apply for micro grants to support the growth of their businesses.
Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. was joined at the expo by African American Chamber of Commerce President and CEO John Harmon; African American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ & DE President Regina Hairston; and other city and state officials to celebrate Black entrepreneurship and local success stories.
During the event, Mayor Small announced the city’s commitment of at least $500,000 in grant funding specifically to support Black-owned businesses. He also introduced “Great Day University” – an initiative launching this fall that will provide free financial wellness programs to Atlantic City residents, including credit repair and financial planning services.
“Black businesses in Atlantic City have been ignored for far too long under previous administrations — and that ended with me,” said Mayor Small. “My administration has a clear plan and vision to support Black businesses by any means necessary, and to provide the tools they need to thrive. The Black Business Expo is just one step forward in our broader mission to empower all small businesses, with a focus on minority-owned enterprises.”
The event coincides with National Black Business Month, which is observed every August, and recognizes the role Black-owned businesses play in local and national economies.
“This is the first time Atlantic City is officially recognizing National Black Business Month,” said Bruce Weekes, assistant director of economic development for the City of Atlantic City. “There was a time when our city was home to hundreds of Black-owned businesses. Today, that number has dwindled to just dozens. We see this expo as a launching pad to help restore the strong presence Black businesses once had in our community.”
The Black Business Expo was organized by Weekes and Pam Fields from the city’s economic development team, with support from Mayor Small and the Department of Planning and Development. Mayor Small plans to make the Black Business Expo an annual event celebrating entrepreneurship in Atlantic City.
