WEST BROADWAY BUSINESS AND AREA COALITION

Technical Assistance Programs: Northside Business Luncheons: Northside Business Luncheons are monthly gatherings for networking and info on select topics with lunch provided from local restaurants and caterers in Minneapolis. Co-hosted by the West Broadway Business & Area Coalition (WBC) and the Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON). B-TAP: Provide direct business technical assistance and training to small businesses and microenterprises located in Minneapolis. The goal of the Business Technical Assistance Program (B-TAP) is to help small, Minneapolis-based businesses start or expand and support job creation in the city.

Outreach/Events: Black Business Week- WBC partners with the City of Minneapolis every last week in July to host Black Business Week. This is a 2 day event that brings together Black-owned businesses together to share, learn from each other, and to boost their sales and exposure. Day one consists of a formal business event highlighting prominent Black Business Owners throughout the country. Day 2 WBC hosts an outdoor pop-up street mall, where the community can shop for all their favorite products from Black-owned businesses in one place. Open Streets West Broadway- WBC has been hosting Open Streets West Broadway since 2011. This event has grown immensely from its inception and enjoys over 300 vendors every year. Open Streets West Broadway is led by WBC and partners with the City of Minneapolis, is supported by partner organizations along West Broadway Avenue to celebrate our community's commerce, programs and residents. This 17-block event happens in September and closes down our main business corridor in North Minneapolis and allows businesses to set up shop in the street. Bringing the businesses to the people and the entire city and surrounding twin cities area to the Northside so they may enjoy our rich culture and to be introduced to our narrative of the Northside. Black Friday on West Broadway- Created by 2 black-women business owners in North Minneapolis; WBC and Northside Economic Opportunity Network partnered with them to produce an event that allowed consumer conscious patrons in the Twin Cities to support an event that competed with big box stores, allowing a space where small business owners, artists, and curators could successfully sell their products to a wide audience for 2 days following the Thanksgiving holiday. West Broadway Business and Area Coalition (WBC) hosted its largest ever, 13th Annual Open Streets West Broadway, street fair.