By: Shelley McKinley
Black Entrepreneurs Week (BEW) featured a host of events from November 25 – December 2, 2023, in Houston to showcase Black-owned businesses, while connecting them to the local community. Through a series of events, BEW provided opportunities to help with the growth of entrepreneurship and wealth-building initiatives in Houston’s Black community. Of those events, Unlock her Power held on November 29, 2023, paid homage to seven Black women form different industries that are paving the way for others to follow.
The honorees included Marian Harper, Vice President of Foundation development and Family Relations for the Houston Astros; Honorable Judge Clarease Rankin-Yates; Ronda M. prince of RapA-Lot records Inc. and Prince Boxing Enterprise Inc.; Kim Roxie, Founder and CEO of LAMIK Beauty; Tezlyn Figaro, Founder of Tezlyn Figaro Communications Group; Tiffany D. Thomas, Houston City Councilmember for District F; and Cheri Green, VP at JP Morgan Chase.
During a lightening round for a response to the question, ‘What is missing from the conversation?,’ Councilwoman Thomas stated, “The votes we cast today will impact generations. Remember the collective.” Although this week was about entrepreneurship, Prince remarked. “Entrepreneurship does not have hours or days off. Know what you are getting into. Keep your job until the money you make can support you.” Most of the attendees were Black female small business owners with goals for growth.
Attendee Jovanni Lota and owner of the house of Mpenzi Salon attended the morning and evening events and left with a notebook full of ideas. “I wish I could have attended all the sessions. The sessions I attended were informative and inspiring. I learned about social, intellectual, and monetary capital. You have to have all three to make it as an entrepreneur. Your bank is your partner and you have to cultivate that relationship,” recalled Lota.
