MSR receives Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce Legacy Award

On Saturday, August 3, the Minnesota Black Chamber of Commerce (MBCC) hosted its annual fundraising gala, celebrating 20 years of service to Minnesota’s Black business community. The theme for the gala was “In Living Color,” a name taken from the popular TV show of the ’90s.

Just like the show’s theme lyrics, “You can do what you want to do, in living color,” the MBCC’s theme was a green light for attendees to literally show up dressed in their best and/or brightest non-traditional gala attire if they so desired.

The event began with a meet and greet reception that featured hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and the smooth sounds of Daniel, the violinist, who was the first of three special performers for the evening. The other performers were DJ Miss Britt and Billy Steele and his band.

MBCC’s mission is to serve Black-owned businesses and communities through access to education, advocacy, and economic development. Their goal is to maximize the potential of every Black-owned business, large or small, by providing equitable opportunities for growth at every stage.

Gabe Henderson, who is an on-air personality and producer for the Minnesota Vikings,

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was the emcee for the gala. Henderson welcomed everyone and introduced Sam Ndely, the MBCC board chair. Ndely thanked the close to 500 people for supporting the event. 

MBCC has built up strong support from elected officials throughout the state and the banking community as well. Wells Fargo Bank was the main presenting sponsor of the gala. Three of the elected officials who spoke to the attendees were State Senator Bobby Joe Champion, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter.

Mayor Frey was the first to address the audience: “In the living color, Black Chamber of Commerce, how are you doing tonight? Right now, in Minneapolis, we recognize that there is no economic rebound without each of you. 

“Understand that you are creating successful businesses at risk that is higher than any other demographic. We understand Black women are starting businesses at a far higher rate than anybody else. When you invest in our city, your tireless efforts to make sure that you get a return on investment come true,” said the mayor.

 Frey talked about a fund that will help Black business owners get financing for their businesses and additional financial support via gap financing to gain site control of the building where their business operates. 

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This fund helps business owners, particularly Black businesses, own the business and the underlying building. “What we’ve seen should have probably been understood from the beginning,” continued Frey. “We at the city can provide better service to our residents when working with Black entrepreneurs. We love you, we care about you, and recognize the work that you are doing. Let’s please keep that wonderful momentum going. Thank you so much,” concluded Frey.

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said, “It’s a deep honor to share this space with you tonight.” He observed that successful business owners and elected officials are often praised for speaking well and are referred to as exceptional individuals, but “I’m not an exception in my neighborhood,” noted the mayor. “ I’m an extension. It’s true because many of you are part of the community that raised me. As we celebrate the Spokesman-Recorder, I could write a growth chart of my whole life in the Spokesman-Recorders.”

Senator Champion said, “Congratulations to the MBCC for receiving one million dollars via the PROMISE Act, “ which stands for Providing Resources & Opportunity & Maximizing Investments in Striving Entrepreneurs.

The Minnesota Legislature created the PROMISE program in June 2023 to help small businesses and nonprofits in disadvantaged communities. This state-funded program will provide loans to disadvantaged small businesses in certain Minneapolis and St. Paul areas. We hope that you get it. The PROMISE Act bill was co-authored by Senator Champion and House Representative Cedrick Fraizer.

While dinner was served, Jeffrey Asamoah, the founder of ThrivEdge Solutions, a consulting and training firm dedicated to empowering individuals to improve their credit profiles, received the award for Member of the Year. 

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The late Andre Debonaire McNeal received the Community Impact Award for being a bridge builder, with his work as a promoter and emcee for various events and as the founder of the Doorstep Foundation. Another Community Award went to the late Arthur Samuel “Sammy” McDowell of Sammy’s Avenue Eatery. 

The Legacy Award was given to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder newspaper (MSR). The MSR is the oldest Black Business in Minnesota and one of the nation’s longest–standing family-owned businesses.

Accepting the award for the MSR was CEO/Publisher Tracey Williams-Dillard. After receiving the award, Williams-Dillard shared, “I am proud to be able to stand here and talk about the legacy; we are going to continue to celebrate for the next 90 years. We will be back in this room celebrating 90 years of continuous publication in two weeks.” (The MSR will celebrate its 90th Anniversary on Aug. 17 at the Depot).

The Entrepreneur of the Year award was given to Gerald and Brittney Klass of the Soul Bowl restaurant in Minneapolis. 

The MSR asked Board Chair Ndely what the future of the MBCC looks like; he explained, “The vision that we set for the organization is going to take us to new heights. We’ve never had a full-time president and CEO, so having somebody full-time to help grow the organization is going to be transformative. The second state appropriation that we received will help us expand throughout the state of Minnesota.”

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The night ended with attendees rushing to the dance floor. 

To learn more about MBCC, you can follow them on social media at Facebook @MNblackchamber, Instagram @mnblackchamber, LinkedIn @mnblackchamber, and Twitter @mnblackchamber.

See more photo highlights by James L. Stroud, Jr. below.