[0:00] All right, everyone. Uh, welcome now to [0:04] what is the fifth annual Black Business [0:07] Week right here at George Floyd Square. [0:11] We're proud to bring this really [0:14] exceptional [0:15] uh and important event yet back yet [0:18] again. And we also wanted to have it [0:20] right here at the Square in George Floyd [0:24] Square. And a big thank you to Mr. PJ [0:26] Hill here for helping to host us and so [0:29] many of the other incredible business [0:31] owners and entrepreneurs who have [0:32] decided to come out. Uh when we started [0:35] Black Business Week, the whole concept [0:38] uh was recognizing that any part of a [0:41] great Minneapolis comeback will not be [0:44] that without black business owners. Uh [0:46] we know that black women are creating [0:49] businesses at rates higher than any [0:52] other group of people. We know it's [0:56] true. Uh we know that our city does not [0:59] just have the goal of getting back to [1:01] the old normal prior to George Floyd's [1:04] murder. It's emblematic that we're [1:06] having this here at George Floyd Square [1:08] because what our city is doing right now [1:10] is taking the next step. We're blown by [1:13] that old normal to get to true change [1:15] and transformation [1:17] uh and equality in our city. And we [1:20] recognize that the work that we have to [1:22] do uh needs to be deliberate. We need to [1:25] make sure that the precision of our [1:26] solutions match the precision of the [1:28] harm that was initially inflicted. And [1:30] we need to make sure that black business [1:32] owners are working directly with us and [1:34] co-creating the important policies that [1:36] we're moving going forward. Uh and also [1:39] that their incredible work needs to be [1:41] highlighted. And so if you were to go [1:42] out on Chicago right now, you will see [1:45] quite a few amazing black businesses. uh [1:49] you'll see some incredible people that [1:51] are running with a great idea and [1:53] becoming entrepreneurs. And the whole [1:55] concept of Black Business Week is not [1:57] just connecting people around the city [2:00] to the incredible black businesses that [2:01] call Minneapolis home. And by the way, [2:03] we've got I think it's 11 or is it nine [2:06] events? Nine events all around. Is it [2:09] 10? Yeah. [2:09] All right. In between. We've got 10 [2:11] events uh all around the city uh during [2:15] Black Business Week, which runs from [2:16] July 20 uh 4th to July 31st. And so you [2:21] will have so many opportunities to [2:24] patron these incredible businesses. And [2:26] it's also an opportunity for these [2:28] businesses to connect with the services [2:30] that we are able to provide at the city [2:31] of Minneapolis. We have a great team [2:34] that wants to help. And we recognize [2:36] that we will not succeed unless every [2:38] single bit of the talent that's on the [2:40] table is realized. And so in honor of [2:41] that, I got a proclamation and I full [2:43] disclosure, I'm not going to read the [2:44] whole thing. Um, but I will I I will [2:47] read the the important parts of it. Uh, [2:49] because this is indeed black business [2:51] week in the city. So whereas blackowned [2:54] businesses play a vital role in driving [2:56] economic growth, creating jobs, and [2:58] promoting diversity and inclusion across [3:00] Minneapolis. And whereas heading into [3:02] Black Business Month, the city of [3:04] Minneapolis is proud to be hosting its [3:06] fifth annual Black Business Week from [3:08] July 21st, 24th to July 31st. And [3:12] whereas [3:14] Black Business Week provides space to [3:16] connect blackowned businesses with the [3:19] resources, networks, and opportunities [3:20] that fuel their long-term success. And [3:23] whereas Minneapolis is proud to be home [3:25] to hundreds of blackowned businesses [3:27] that provide a diverse array of goods [3:30] and services to the local community and [3:32] well beyond. And whereas the city [3:35] remains steadfast in its commitment to [3:37] building a more equitable and diverse [3:39] business environment through targeted [3:41] investments in cultural corridors and [3:43] development capital for historically [3:46] underserved areas. And whereas the city [3:48] of Minneapolis applauds the remarkable [3:50] success and efforts of local BIPAC [3:53] business owners and leaders and [3:55] encourages all residents to support [3:57] black businesses not just this week but [4:00] every single day of the year. Now [4:03] therefore, I, Jacob Fry, mayor of the [4:05] city of Minneapolis, do hereby proclaim [4:07] July 21st [4:09] to July 31st as Black Business Week in [4:12] the city of Minneapolis. All right. [4:19] Um uh in in just a second here, I'm [4:21] about to turn it over to Council [4:23] President Elliot Payne. But before I do [4:25] that, I just wanted to acknowledge a [4:27] panel that will come up right after we [4:29] speak. Um it's some incredible people. [4:31] PJ Hill uh is going to be, you know, [4:33] obviously he's hosting us in this space. [4:35] Chef Lelle putting together the main [4:38] Black Business Week kickoff event and [4:40] moderating the panel. And a big thank [4:41] you to the panelists as well. Uh, we got [4:43] Ace Rice from founder of the Plot [4:46] Gallery. We got C. Terren Anderson, [4:48] owner of Bichota Coffee. We've got PJ, [4:51] of course, owner of Square Event Center. [4:53] Renee Dossman, director of the [4:55] Neighborhood Development Center. And [4:57] Tracy Williams Dillard, of course, the [4:59] CEO of the Minnesota Spokesman Recorder. [5:02] Uh, this is a great event, a phenomenal [5:04] week, and I have the great honor of [5:05] turning it over to our council [5:07] president, Elliot Payne. [5:08] Thank you, Mayor. [5:11] Hello, everyone. My name is Elliot [5:12] Payne. Uh I'm the president of [5:14] Minneapolis City Council. And actually [5:16] before I was ever elected, I actually [5:18] worked for the city uh helping to work [5:20] with our small businesses and understand [5:22] what their challenges are. And through [5:24] countless conversations with [5:26] entrepreneurs, we learned that there was [5:28] always the challenge of access to [5:30] capital, access to affordable commercial [5:32] space, uh safe neighborhood environments [5:36] for having a successful business and [5:39] navigating city bureaucracy and we [5:42] really ran with that and became started [5:45] what became our small business team. So, [5:46] I'm really grateful that Zo uh Teal is [5:49] outside, works handinhand with, uh, [5:52] small businesses in the city of [5:53] Minneapolis. And like the mayor said, [5:55] uh, the disparities in our city didn't [5:57] happen by circumstance. They they happen [6:00] through targeted and focused policy. [6:02] That means we need targeted and focused [6:03] policy and more importantly, targeted [6:06] and focused investments to reverse some [6:07] of those disparities. And so, Black [6:09] Business Week isn't just about [6:10] celebrating our black entrepreneurs and [6:12] making sure that we're out shopping and [6:14] buying black. It's also about a [6:16] recognition that we as a local [6:17] government can do more to more directly [6:21] uh invest in our black community. And [6:22] I'm I'm glad to be here with my [6:24] colleagues uh to represent that. And [6:26] with that, I'll hand it over to Council [6:27] Member uh Andrea Jenkins. [6:29] Great. [6:33] Good afternoon everybody. My name is [6:35] Andrea Jenkins and I am the W 8 city [6:38] council member. And guess what? You guys [6:40] are in W 8 right now. [6:43] That's right. [6:44] Wow. I have been working at this [6:47] intersection and along this corridor for [6:50] over 25 years, and it is so incredibly [6:54] amazing to see the energy that is at [6:58] this intersection right now. The black [7:00] businesses that make up this [7:02] intersection, [7:04] Smoking the Pit, Just Turkey Plot [7:08] Gallery, Bachota Coffee. We're in the um [7:13] Square Event Center. [7:16] Um just incredible energy and [7:20] entrepreneurial spirit that is here at [7:23] this intersection right down the street [7:26] at Pillsbury [7:28] um house and theater. they're going to [7:30] be celebrating this weekend their brand [7:33] new um annex that they built to to [7:38] support businesses and to be a bridge [7:41] between 38th and Chicago and Lake and [7:46] Chicago to really connect and bring all [7:50] of that energy together along this [7:52] corridor. So, we're celebrating Black [7:55] Business Week today, but we want to get [7:59] out and support black businesses each [8:01] and every day. So, thank you guys for [8:05] coming out, for hanging out in George [8:08] Floyd Square, [8:10] uh, Southside. We outside, right? All [8:14] right. Thank you everybody. [8:16] All right. All right. All right. [8:22] You got this. All right. Thank you so [8:25] much everyone. All right. So, I do have [8:27] a few written things to say. [8:30] Um, good day everyone. My name is Lelle [8:33] Cunningham and I want to thank you for [8:35] being here today for showing up for [8:37] black business, for culture, for [8:39] community, and for legacy. This event, [8:42] Legacy on the Block, is more than a [8:44] gathering. It's a declaration. Okay? [8:47] A love letter to the past, present, and [8:50] future of 38th in Chicago. It's about [8:53] honoring what's been built here by [8:55] generations before us, by those holding [8:57] it down now, and by those who will one [9:00] day lead in our place. When I started [9:03] planning this activation, I wasn't just [9:05] curating a Black Business Week kickoff. [9:07] I was pouring into the block that helped [9:09] raise me. I was born just a few blocks [9:12] away from here. My family has invested [9:14] in this community for generations. I now [9:16] own a business here. I work here. I've [9:19] cooked here. I've cried here. And today, [9:22] I celebrate here. Legacy to me isn't [9:25] just what you leave behind. It is what [9:28] you build while you're still here. It's [9:30] the space you make for others to rise [9:32] with you. That's what this V is event [9:36] rising together. And none of this would [9:39] be possible without the support of our [9:40] community. I want to thank our partners [9:43] and collaborators who've helped bring [9:44] this vision to life. Can do Sabathan [9:47] Community Center, City Food Studio, Plot [9:50] Gallery, Agape Movement. To the [9:53] businesses and artists, thank you for [9:55] your brilliance and presence. Pota [9:57] Coffee, PJ Hill, Maris Bowie, Finish [10:00] Touch, Chicago Avenue, Fire Arts Center, [10:04] Mystic Healing Stones, Listen to Us [10:06] Studio, Soul to Soul Barbecue, Just [10:09] Turkey, Life Juices, Nashville Coupe, [10:11] Plant Bar Cafe, Peaks and Peppers and [10:14] Produce, Innerpiece Fragrance, The Real [10:16] Minneapolis, Third Place Gallery, [10:18] Frogtown Farm, Smoking the Pit, KRS, RSM [10:22] Radio, and I probably didn't name [10:24] everyone. Chicago. [10:26] I said that. Yep. [10:30] To our storytellers and leaders, Ace [10:32] Rice, Anthony Taylor, Tracy Williams, [10:34] Dillard, C. Terrence Anderson, Renee [10:36] Dosman, King Demetrius Pendleton, and [10:38] the panelists who share who are sh going [10:41] to share their journeys to rise and [10:43] remember in Pillsbury Hall Theater. [10:45] Thank you for contributing to the arts [10:46] and memory woven through this space. to [10:49] our funders and champions, Greater Twin [10:50] Cities, United Way, Neighborhood [10:52] Development Center, KRSM Radio, and [10:54] especially the city of Minneapolis. [10:57] Thank you. [10:58] And to our elected leaders, Mayor Jacob [11:01] Fry, Council President Elliot Payne and [11:04] Council Member Andrea Jenkins, thank you [11:07] for being present and for continuing the [11:10] conversation about the real investment [11:12] in black business and what that looks [11:14] like. To this day, we build on [11:17] collaboration, not competition. Our [11:20] culture on culture, not conflict. On [11:24] legacy, not ego. To everyone who showed [11:27] up, not just to be seen, but to build, I [11:30] thank you with a whole heart. Let's keep [11:32] going together. Thank you. [11:34] Well said. [11:35] Thank you. Can I read one more thing? [11:37] Okay. [11:40] I got to I got to take the the floor one [11:42] more time because I have something to [11:43] read. That is a a collective voice of [11:46] the businesses of 38th in Chicago. And I [11:48] want to read what we all wrote together. [11:52] Dear city council members and city [11:55] officials and community members, we the [11:58] undersigned stakeholders at the 38th and [12:00] Chicago intersection write to you today [12:02] with a unified voice. We represent a [12:05] range of community assets, restaurants, [12:07] art galleries, community organizations, [12:09] service providers, and more. As small [12:12] business owners, workers, residents, [12:13] creators, visionaries, and most [12:15] importantly, as members of a community [12:17] rooted in resilience, healing, and [12:18] progress, we are deeply invested in this [12:21] community. As stakeholders directly [12:23] impacted by the redevelopment of this [12:25] corridor, we are fully committed to [12:27] honoring the life of George Floyd and [12:29] the social justice movement that his [12:31] death ignited. We share the wider [12:34] community's vision of creating a space [12:36] that acknowledges the trauma, fosters [12:38] healing, and provides opportunities for [12:40] growth and thriving for everyone who [12:42] lives, works, and visits this [12:43] intersection. We also recognize that [12:46] economic vitality and access are [12:48] essential components of a healthy [12:49] community. As owners and workers of [12:52] establishments on 38th in Chicago, we [12:54] have poured our creativity, labor, and [12:56] time into building resources that not [12:59] only serve our community's needs, but [13:01] also provide employment, cultural [13:03] enrichment, and economic opportunities [13:05] for residents and visitors. Many of us [13:08] are from this community. We live and [13:10] work here, raise our families here, and [13:12] are dedicated to uplifting this [13:14] neighborhood for the long term. It is [13:17] not only our livelihoods that are at [13:19] stake. It is our collective vision for a [13:21] resilient, flourishing, and united [13:23] community. While we appreciate the [13:25] city's efforts to address concerns and [13:27] envision a renewed George Floyd Square, [13:29] we are deeply concerned about the [13:31] proposal to convert the intersection [13:32] into a pedestrian-only plaza. This [13:35] decision, while well-intentioned, risks [13:37] further isolating our establishments [13:39] from the community and visitors we [13:41] strive to serve, reduces foot traffic [13:43] and blocks vehicular access to our [13:45] businesses. This proposal also conflicts [13:48] with the outcome of the work done to [13:49] gather collective feedback from the [13:51] community into which considerable time, [13:53] money, and good faith were invested. The [13:56] results of imposing a permanent [13:58] pedestrian-only plaza will go far beyond [14:00] impacting the street redesign. The [14:03] damage to the community and the Chicago [14:05] Avenue corridor may be irreparable. It [14:08] risks perpetuating the historical [14:10] dividing line of 38th Street, now [14:12] designated as a cultural corridor, and [14:15] interrupts an important and [14:16] long-standing transit corridor. We've [14:18] heard from our various staff, members, [14:21] and community that returning the Dline [14:23] to Chicago Avenue is important and [14:25] needed. Closing the intersection will [14:27] negatively impact our neighbors on [14:29] surrounding side streets and raises [14:30] concerns about access for emergency [14:32] vehicles. Our city's experience of [14:35] closing off Nicollet Avenue with a Kmart [14:37] stands as a fair comparison to the [14:39] proposal to turn a portion of Chicago [14:41] Avenue at 38th Street into a [14:42] pedestrian-only plaza. The symbolism of [14:45] a dead-end street is not conducive to [14:47] healing or growth. Instead, we advocate [14:50] for a flexible communityinformed design [14:52] that preserves access to residents, [14:54] customers, and visitors while [14:56] incorporating spaces for reflection, [14:58] cultural expression, and remembrance. We [15:00] believe that safe and open access is [15:02] vital to the spirit of George Floyd [15:04] Square and ensures that this community's [15:06] memory continues to inspire progress and [15:09] healing for generations to come. We urge [15:11] you to consider the voices of those who [15:13] live, work, and build community within [15:15] this space. We ask that you support our [15:17] vision for space that serves for a space [15:19] that serves the needs of residents, [15:21] visitors, business owners, property [15:22] owners, and community members alike. [15:25] Thank you for your consideration of our [15:26] perspective. We look forward to [15:28] continuing a constructive collaborative [15:30] dialogue that will ensure George Floyd [15:32] Square becomes a beacon of healing, [15:34] unity, and progress. With respect and [15:36] commitment, Lelle Cunningham Healthy [15:38] Roots Institute and City Food Studio, [15:41] Ace Rice, Plot Gallery, PJ Hill, PG GMA [15:45] Development, Sam Willis, Just Turkey [15:48] Restaurant, C. Terrence Anderson, [15:50] Bachota Coffee, Victoria uh Long Line. I [15:54] know I can mess that up. and Heather [15:56] Doyle, Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center, [15:59] Dwight Alexander, Smoke in the Pit, [16:01] Reginald Per Ferguson, Maris Bowie and [16:03] Bridget Stewart of Agape Movement, [16:05] Harrison Holloway of PC Foundation, Dan [16:08] Rafa of Mill City Auto Body, Willie D of [16:12] Finish Touch, Miguel S of Miguel Auto [16:14] Service, and Lane Brown and Ally Ross of [16:16] Central Area Neighborhood Development [16:18] Organization. That's right. [16:20] I said all that. [16:22] Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. [16:25] I didn't know you were going to do that. [16:26] I know. I know. I had to do it. [16:29] I I you know, I didn't I didn't know my [16:30] friend here was going to do that. But [16:32] here's the thing. [16:33] We got to listen. A big part of [16:36] supporting black businesses is actually [16:38] supporting black businesses, hearing [16:40] them out, uh doing right by the needs of [16:43] community, and not uh turning a blind [16:46] eye when we're hearing loud and clear [16:48] from them. Thank you so much. [16:50] I appreciate