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Morning Edition: Sixth Annual Mass Black Expo Kicks Off in Boston

Introduction to the Event

Paris Alston: Good morning! You’re listening to GBH’s This is GBH on Morning Edition. Today marks the start of the sixth annual Mass Black Expo, hosted at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. This much-anticipated event is expected to draw thousands of participants eager to partake in panels and workshops aimed at building Black wealth. Keynote speakers for the event include notable figures such as Federal Reserve Bank President Susan M. Collins and Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey. The Expo is organized by the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, affectionately known as BECMA. We have the pleasure of speaking with Nicole Obi, the CEO of BECMA, ahead of the event. Additionally, we are joined by Suzanne Graham Anderson, CEO of Positively Suzanne LLC, who will contribute to a panel discussion regarding the Black business ecosystem in regions beyond Boston.

Insights from BECMA’s Leadership

Nicole Obi: This year’s panel continues from a discussion we held last year, where we emphasized the presence of a longstanding community of Black individuals in Massachusetts. This group includes both Black Americans and Black immigrants from around the globe. With the launch of an ambassador program in 2024, BECMA now has a remarkable opportunity to gather ambassadors from various parts of the state, extending beyond just Boston. These ambassadors will provide insights about the developments in their regions—whether that be in Springfield, Worcester, or the Cape and Islands. Our focus for this panel is to highlight the diverse experiences within these communities.

The Black Business Landscape in Worcester

Alston: Suzanne, as a resident of Worcester, which is the second-largest city in Massachusetts, can you share your observations on the Black business landscape there?

Suzanne Graham-Anderson: Being from Worcester, I have noticed a significant shift over the last few years. Historically, small businesses faced limited opportunities, but I’ve seen an emergence of immigrant communities establishing themselves in our city. This includes populations from the Caribbean, Ghana, Haiti, and others from the broader Black diaspora who are launching businesses. Yet, despite this growth, I believe there is still a lack of robust support systems for these emerging entrepreneurs.

It’s been encouraging to see organizations like BECMA beginning to represent the diversity of these businesses more thoroughly. Historically, many of these businesses started small—often without an online presence or physical stores. As a small business owner myself, I often trekked to Boston to access resources that simply weren’t available in Worcester. Many locals would express hesitation to accompany me due to the perceived travel time, which, although it’s only an hour, can seem significantly longer when factoring in traffic, especially during rush hour.

Challenges and Opportunities in Local Business Support

Alston: Traffic, especially during peak hours, can indeed be a deterrent.

Graham-Anderson: Absolutely. Most events or resources seem to align with commuter times, creating additional obstacles for entrepreneurs. In Worcester, organizations such as EforAll and the small business development initiatives at Clark University and the Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) are emerging. These incubators are becoming increasingly impactful for supporting small businesses. While the city displays a commitment to assist these enterprises—through initiatives like pitch contests—the underlying skepticism remains. Many Black entrepreneurs question whether these organizations truly have the resources, networks, and funding to bring about real change.

Nevertheless, the potential for growth is significant. With organizations like BECMA at the helm, persistently advocating for resources and networks for Black business owners, there’s hope that trust will build over time.

Success Factors Across Massachusetts

Alston: Nicole, it’s well-known that regions around Massachusetts, including those outside of Boston, are home to flourishing Black businesses. Take Brockton, for instance, recognized as the first city in New England with a majority-Black population. Do you think that the city’s business landscape is successfully supporting Black-owned enterprises?

Obi: Brockton, like Worcester and Springfield, is grappling with the challenge of creating cohesive support systems for Black-owned businesses. Success often emerges not from one singular aspect—be it funding, business planning, or technical assistance—but rather from a holistic approach to support. My vision is to act as the "sand between the rocks," seeking to identify and fill gaps in support or unify the existing resources in Brockton and beyond. Recently, we organized an event focused on supplier diversity services at a local restaurant in Brockton, highlighting that we recognize the entrepreneurial talent there.

What they need is sustainable and comprehensive support to help their ventures thrive, and we’re committed to bridging those gaps.

The Broader Message of the Mass Black Expo

Alston: Finally, Nicole, what are your hopes in terms of outcomes from this panel regarding the significance of Black businesses throughout the state?

Obi: At BECMA, our aspiration is to elevate awareness, particularly among buyers—whether they are from the private sector or government. As Suzanne mentioned, many exceptional Black-owned businesses are operational and ready to engage in our Commonwealth. Addressing the ongoing workforce shortages, we have an underutilized talent pool of Black and brown firms that can effectively meet that demand. The Expo serves as a crucial platform for fostering connections and raising awareness about the numerous opportunities available for collaboration and partnership.

Conclusion and Resources

Alston: Thank you, Nicole Obi, for your insights as the president and CEO of BECMA.

Obi: Thank you for having me.

Alston: We would also like to thank Suzanne Graham Anderson, CEO of Positively Suzanne LLC, for joining us today.

Graham-Anderson: Thank you as well.

Alston: The Mass Black Expo is taking place today and tomorrow at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. To find more information about the event and participate, please visit BECMA.org. And for those navigating legal language or documentation in the context of starting or growing their businesses, resources like the AI legalese decoder can make a significant difference. This tool helps decode complex legal jargon, making it easier for entrepreneurs to understand important legal documents, thereby empowering them to make informed decisions. You’re listening to GBH News.

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