Black Entrepreneurs Day

Daymond John speaking at 2023's Black Entrepreneurs Day.

Black Entrepreneurs Day is an annual livestream event created and hosted by Daymond John in partnership with Medium Rare production company, which was launched in 2020.[1][2] It is filmed at the Apollo Theater in New York City.[3][4][5]

The event provides funding for Black-owned businesses, and features celebrity speakers on the topic of entrepreneurship.[6][7][8] The event has won two Webby Awards and two People’s Voice Award for the category “Virtual & Remote - Business & Finance” at the Webby Awards.[9][10][11]

History

The first annual Black Entrepreneurs Day was broadcast live online on October 24, 2020.[5][2][12] It featured speakers such as Shaquille O’Neal, Gabrielle Union, LL Cool J, and Jamie Foxx.[2][5][7] It also featured musical performances from artists such as Chance the Rapper and Questlove.[7] The event also awarded $225,000 to selected entrepreneurs through NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grants.[5][7]

The second Black Entrepreneurs Day event took place at the Apollo Theater, in New York City and was broadcast live on October 14, 2021.[13][14][15] Guest speakers included Kevin Hart, Michael Strahan, Tyra Banks, and Rev Run.[8][13] The event also featured a musical performance from Khalid.[16][17] $250,000 in NAACP grants were awarded to Black-owned businesses at the event.[18][19]

Awards

The first iteration of the event won a Webby Award and a People’s Voice Award for the category “Virtual & Remote - Business & Finance” at the 2021 Webby Awards.[11]

At the 2022 Webby Awards, the second iteration of the event won another Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for the category “Virtual & Remote - Business & Finance.”[9][10] Medium Rare also received an Anthem Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for its work on the second Black Entrepreneurs Day event.[20][21]

References

  1. ^ Grant, Shawn (2020-10-06). "Daymond John Curates 'Black Entrepreneurs Day' for October 24". The Source. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  2. ^ a b c Hipes, Patrick (2020-10-06). "Daymond John To Host Virtual Black Entrepreneurs Day; Jamie Foxx, Gabrielle Union Among Participants". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  3. ^ Jackson, Dory (September 23, 2021). "Shark Tank's Daymond John Recruits Kevin Hart, Tyra Banks and More for Black Entrepreneurs Day". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  4. ^ "Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Hart, Tyra Banks and more team up for 'Black Entrepreneurs Day' special". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  5. ^ a b c d Gomez, Brandon (2021-09-23). "Want to find a great mentor? Pick someone who gets personal about their mistakes, says Daymond John". CNBC. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  6. ^ Gardner, Chris (2021-09-23). "Kevin Hart, Tyra Banks, Khalid and Shaquille O'Neal Joining Daymond John for Black Entrepreneurs Day". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  7. ^ a b c d Deczynski, Rebecca (2021-09-24). "How Businesses Can Make the Most of Grant Money, According to Daymond John". Inc.com. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  8. ^ a b "Daymond John Helps to Give Away $250K in Grants to Black Businesses at 2nd Annual Black Entrepreneurs Day | Entertainment Tonight". www.etonline.com. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  9. ^ a b Grein, Paul (2022-04-05). "Megan Thee Stallion, Ariana Grande's r.e.m. beauty & More Nominated for 2022 Webby Awards". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  10. ^ a b Rosario, Alexandra Del (2021-05-18). "2021 Webby Awards: Ava DuVernay, Riz Ahmed & Dr. Anthony Fauci Among Winners". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  11. ^ Lacy, Lisa (October 6, 2020). "Shark Tank's Daymond John Presents Black Entrepreneurs Day". Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  12. ^ a b "Daymond John Brings Celebrity Flair to Second Annual Black Entrepreneurs Day". Black Enterprise. 2021-10-22. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  13. ^ "'Shark Tank' investor Daymond John gives advice to young entrepreneurs". KTLA. 2021-10-13. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  14. ^ Hilburn, Jair. "Daymond John Is On A Mission". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  15. ^ "Daymond John announces date for Black Entrepreneurs Day 2021 and offers advice for new business owners". TheGrio. 2021-09-23. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  16. ^ "Shaquille O'Neal, Kevin Hart, Tyra Banks and more team up for 'Black Entrepreneurs Day' special". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  17. ^ "2021 Powershift Entrepreneur Grant Recipients | NAACP". naacp.org. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  18. ^ "Founders of KidVestors, from Louisville, recognized by 'Shark Tank' investor". bizjournals.com. 2021-10-20. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  19. ^ Urban, Sasha (2022-02-15). "'Insecure' Star Jay Ellis to Host Inaugural Anthem Awards for Social Impact (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
  20. ^ Chan, J. Clara (2022-01-25). "Anthem Awards: 'The Daily Show With Trevor Noah,' N.Y. Times' 1619 Project Among Finalists". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2022-05-29.