CINCINNATI — Entrepreneurs from across Ohio gathered during Black Tech Week this week to connect with organizations that can help them grow their businesses, from strategic partners to financial experts.
One event, JobsOhio’s Opportunity Day, focused on connecting founders with business resources designed to help companies expand and navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.
Candice Matthews-Brackeen, CEO of the Lightship Foundation, said Black Tech Week aims to create opportunities for entrepreneurs who are often underrepresented in the innovation ecosystem.
“Sometimes, and unfortunately, we are still the only ones in our roles,” Matthews-Brackeen said. “So, we’re just trying to make sure that we’ve created a space for everyone to see themselves.”
Monica L. Womack, CEO of MLW Solutions, said the event brought together entrepreneurs and resource partners from across the state.
“We’re matching entrepreneurs with different resource partners from around the state of Ohio,” Womack said. “My company, MLW Solutions, is here to really help identify strategic opportunities to connect into the ecosystem.”
Among the organizations participating was Cleveland-based CLE Consulting, an accounting, tax and payroll consulting firm that works with businesses nationwide.
“The whole emphasis was to help people in the minority in the Black community build strong financial foundations around as individuals, as businesses,” Co-founder Larese Purnell said.
Access to capital remains one of the biggest challenges for many small businesses, according to business leaders at the event. But CLE Consulting co-founder Meltrice Sharp said entrepreneurs should focus on preparing their businesses before seeking funding.
“Part of it is knowing your numbers, making sure you can demonstrate that on paper how well you’re doing, making sure you’re filing taxes on time, making sure you’re governed properly,” Sharp said.
The conversations come as CNBC recently named Ohio the nation’s top state for business, citing the state’s infrastructure, affordability and growing innovation economy.
Womack said events like Black Tech Week help entrepreneurs take advantage of that momentum by creating meaningful connections and expanding access to resources.
“Ohio is the way. We say that Ohio is the heart of it all and how we’re able to now continue to make those connections, make those resources. And then with Black Tech Week, really been able to drive that in,” she said.
