Join Us in the Secret Garden: Honoring Legends, Sustaining the Future

Corporate commitments changed. Ours did not.

In the years following 2020, many institutions made bold promises about equity. They launched initiatives, hired leaders, and spoke publicly about supporting Black businesses. As political pressure and economic uncertainty grew, those commitments were often the first to fade. Programs ended. Budgets disappeared. Many simply moved on.

Black Business Enterprises (BBE) has lived the impact of that shift. The phone doesn’t ring the way it once did, but the needs in our community have only grown. At the same time, membership dues across our BBE community have declined as families and business owners face rising costs and economic strain.

We cannot wait for corporations to rediscover their commitments.

And we cannot rely on short-term funding to sustain work that must exist every day.

That is why we gather.

The 2026 Black Business Ball: Secret Garden — Honoring Legends is more than a celebration. It is a return to what has always sustained us: community investment, shared responsibility, and honoring those who built pathways before us while ensuring the next generation has somewhere to grow.

If you’ve ever come to BBE to start or stabilize your business, repair credit, find resources, host a meeting, or simply sit in a space where you didn’t have to explain who you are—you are already part of this garden. This Ball is our invitation to tend it together.

Your support through the Black Business Ball helps us:

Keep BBE’s doors open with lights on, Wi-Fi working, and a professional space where Black entrepreneurs can gather, build, and belong
Provide business formation, credit support, and technical assistance for founders starting, pivoting, or rebuilding after job loss
Sustain homeownership and financial readiness programming so families can move from surviving to owning
Offer accessible meeting and coworking space for entrepreneurs who no longer have access to an office or supportive workplace
Build the internal capacity BBE needs to remain stable, responsive, and rooted in community—not shifting trends or corporate cycles

In the Secret Garden, we pause to honor the legends—those whose labor, leadership, and vision made space for us to be here. And we recommit to what comes next.

We are not asking you to replace anyone else’s broken promises.

We are inviting you to be part of a real, local, long-term answer.

Join us as we honor legacy, invest in community, and ensure Black Business Enterprises continues to stand for decades to come.

The not-so-fine print

Black business is our focus, but we do not discriminate. Black is the blueprint for our work and our lens. We welcome and support BBE members of all backgrounds, including people of every race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, pregnancy status, marital or family status, immigration status, and veteran status.

Our Programs and Initiatives

Financial Literacy Workshops: We partner with local businesses to offer workshops that equip members with the skills and knowledge to manage finances effectively and strategically.

Housing Support: Recognizing that stable housing is foundational to business success, we provide guidance and resources to help entrepreneurs secure housing solutions that support their business goals.

Youth Programs: We are passionate about empowering the next generation. Our youth programs focus on instilling entrepreneurial spirit and financial savvy in young people, preparing them for a brighter future.

Credit Programs: Understanding the importance of credit in business, we offer programs that help members build and maintain strong credit profiles, essential for accessing capital and growing their enterprises.

Our primary mission is to promote community development by offering both financial and educational services. We offer tangible programs and initiatives that address these problems, track success, and start meaningful conversations to make impactful changes.

Our Call to Action

The current financial environment poses an even greater challenge to minority entrepreneurs striving to keep their businesses thriving. Together, we can alleviate these burdens and empower our community to reach new heights.

Your support tonight is crucial. By contributing to our cause, you are investing in the dreams and aspirations of entrepreneurs and future business leaders. Let us work hand in hand to break down barriers, foster innovation, and create opportunities that will transform our community for generations to come.

Thank you for your generosity and belief in our mission.

Together, we can make meaningful changes that eliminate these obstacles and pave the way for a more equitable and prosperous future.
With gratitude,

Nancy Korsah
Executive Director
Black Business Enterprises Fund

2026 6th Annual Black Business Ball

Celebrate excellence at the 6th Annual Black Business Ball: Secret Garden. A night honoring Black business, community, and legacy.