Cincinnati, OH — Vibe Cincinnati, presented by the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau and The Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce, has announced The State of Black Culture, July 23, 1-3 p.m. at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. The free event will feature Andre Perry of the Brookings Institute speaking on the “Devaluation of Businesses in Black Communities,” followed by a keynote address on the “State of Black Culture” from the Rev. Al Sharpton.“The State of Black Culture will explore the lifestyle, development and ethnology of our communities, families and businesses. It presents a unique opportunity for businesspeople, entrepreneurs and those who wish to start their own business to learn more about the challenges that face Black businesses and the solutions that can lift our region as a whole,” said Eric Kearney, president and CEO of the African American Chamber.
“Black people represent 12.7 percent of the U.S. population, but only 4.3% of the nation’s 22.2 million business owners. Nearly 96 percent of business owners in the United States are non-Black people. Mr. Perry and Rev. Sharpton will show us hard data as to why – and what we can do as a community to develop the next generation of business owners and leaders. It has been proven, that cities with a strong black business footprint attract and retain talent which leads to increased market share,” said Jason Dunn, Group Vice President of Diversity Sales & Inclusion for the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau and board chair of the African American Chamber.
Partners in The State of Black Culture event include the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincy Soul: The Black Taste and Cincinnati Music Festival presented by P&G.
About the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau is a sales, marketing and service organization whose primary responsibility is to positively impact Hamilton County’s and the City of Cincinnati’s economy through convention, trade show and visitor expenditures. The travel and tourism industry traditionally has been a $5.3 billion industry in Cincinnati USA, employing more than 80,000 people in a variety of fields and bringing 26.6 million visitors to the region annually. Visit www.cincyusa.com for more.
About the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce (AACC)
The AACC is the largest African American Chamber in the State of Ohio. It is as committed to inclusion as business development; and as focused on advocacy as on building capacity. The AACC leverages regional partnerships and collaborates with organizations and supplier diversity and inclusion experts to empower businesses to succeed. The AACC is your business advocate providing business education series, marketing programs and networking events to grow your business.
The AACC was founded in 1996 by a group of African American business owners and consumers seeking to improve the economic status of African Americans and the African American community. The vision was to form an organization, which would advocate on behalf of emerging and established businesses, help to create new market opportunities, and provide access to capital, and revitalize African American communities.
PRESS CONTACT:
Jackie Reau
Game Day
(513) 929-4263
jreau@gamedaypr.com
Jenell Walton, CTA
Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau
jwalton@CincyUSA.com
(513) 632-5378