The Sixth Annual Black-Owned Business Excellence Symposium Empowers Black Businesses on Feb. 1
release date: January 16, 2025
The sixth annual Black-Owned Business Excellence (BOBE) Symposium will kick off Black History Month on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wood Technology Center, Seattle, 2310 S. Lane St., Seattle. The Seattle Public Library is co-sponsoring this event.
With a theme of “Empowering Black-Owned Businesses to Thrive in 2025,” the BOBE Symposium celebrates the innovation and resilience of Black-owned businesses and highlights the resources, strategies, and connections that Black entrepreneurs need to succeed.
“This year’s theme speaks to the heart of what BOBE is about: giving entrepreneurs the resources, tools, and connections they need to thrive,” said Federick Brooks, CEO of Sound Sports Performance and Training. “Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur, just starting out, or someone who wants to support the Black business community, you'll find inspiration, education, and connection. Please join us!”
The day will include national and local speakers, small business panels and workshops, and many networking events. The BOBE Symposium is designed to help attendees gain actionable insights from business leaders, discover new resources and funding opportunities and build connections with like-minded entrepreneurs.
Find out more about the BOBE Symposium at www.bobe-wa.org, and register at this EventBrite link. The event costs $25 and up, and scholarships are available for those who might benefit from having the registration fee waived; email L2B@spl.org for details.
"The BOBE Symposium is more than a conference — it’s a celebration of excellence, a place to build connections, and a platform to inspire growth and change,” said DeiMarlon Scisney, President of Scisney Social Impact. “Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this empowering experience!”
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE SIXTH ANNUAL BOBE SYMPOSIUM
- Keynote speakers and panels: Hear from successful Black business leaders and advocates who are breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations.
- Workshops and breakout sessions: Practical, hands-on learning designed to help your business grow. From marketing and finance to leadership and innovation, there's something for every stage of your business.
- Networking opportunities: Meet, connect, and collaborate with entrepreneurs, business owners, and community leaders who share your passion for Black business excellence.
- BOBE awards and grants: Celebrate the community and business leaders nominated by the community. The grantees will each receive a $1,000 business award.
- Resource fair: Discover valuable tools, resources, and programs to help take your business to the next level.
VIP KICKOFF: BLACK BUSINESS MIXER
Join us for the VIP Kickoff of the Sixth Annual Black-Owned Business Excellence Symposium on Friday, Jan. 31, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Evergreen Golf Club, 2101 Mildred St. W., Tacoma, WA 98466. This dynamic networking event brings together Black entrepreneurs and business owners for an evening of connection, collaboration, and celebration. Featuring interactive games, raffles, business showcases, and golf activities, this event is designed to inspire and empower the local Black business community.
SYMPOSIUM SPONSORS
The BOBE symposium is organized in partnership with community organizations including, The Seattle Public Library, Washington State Small Business Development Center, Washington State Department of Enterprise Services, Fiscal Finesse Consulting, Evergreen Business Capital, Washington Trust Bank, Denkyem Coop, Business Impact NW and others.
ABOUT BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS EXCELLENCE
Black-Owned Business Excellence is a volunteer-led 501c3 organization with a collaborative of different local minority owned businesses, organizations and individuals coming together to support, educate, inspire and elevate businesses that are owned by historically underserved business owners in Washington State since 2020. The inaugural BOBE Symposium was held during Black History Month in Tacoma in 2020 with a group of successful business owners that shared their stories, resource partners who provided technical assistance and the community that came together to support. For more information or to register, visit www.bobewa.org.
ABOUT THE SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Library believes that the power of knowledge improves people's lives. Our Library to Business program offers great resources for you to use for free, including dozens of classes and workshops every year in partnership with local organizations, as well as one-on-one virtual meetings to get specific help for your business. The Library is on the planning committee for the Black-Owned Business Excellence Symposium.
Contact the Library’s Ask Us service by phone at 206-386-4636 or by email or chat at spl.org/Ask. Staff are ready to answer questions and direct you to helpful resources and information.