COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – The River Valley Black Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Juneteenth Mixer tonight at the Columbus Civic Center in Uptown Columbus. Organizers say the event focuses on keeping small, minority-owned businesses thriving in the Fountain City by handing out five grants of $7,000 to help local entrepreneurs grow.

Rocky Marsh, who serves on the Juneteenth committee, said having a thriving small business is important for any city. He said the more thriving businesses a city has, the more they can give back to the city and the more businesses they can attract to the area.

“Small business owners are the backbone of most economies, especially here in Columbus Georgia,” Marsh said. “We take great pride in reaching out to our small business owners and connecting them with resources to help them grow and reach the next level.”

The River Valley Black Chamber of Commerce is hosting the mixer in collaboration with the Juneteenth committee. During the mixer, five small minority businesses will receive $7,000 for their business.

Siophan Hardy, owner of DLG Print, was awarded a grant last year. She said the grant and the support of the Black Chamber of Commerce made a difference in her business.

“We used it to increase our marketing in the community, it allowed us to put our face out there a little bit more so people know we are here, how long we’ve been here and what all we have to offer to the community,” Hardy said.

Kayla Stutson owns Code Beauty Salon. She said she has had her business for roughly a year and encourages anyone with a small business to get involved with the River Valley Black Chamber of Commerce because of the support and education they provide.

“They are always promoting me and just being about the black business so I’m very grateful for their support towards me, and not just for my one year, my grand opening but continuously,” Stutson said.

Marsh said in addition to the grant reception, the organization is holding its Juneteenth mixer. He said the chamber encourages members to greet and meet someone they didn’t know because that person could be the next step for them reaching something new.

The event is free and open to the public at the civic center at 6 p.m.