Black Business Block Party to kick off in Indianapolis this Saturday

The second annual Black Business Block Party will kick off at 11 a.m. on Georgia Street between Capitol Avenue and Meridian Street this Saturday.

More than 100 local, minority-owned businesses will gather to connect with the community and share their work.

Vendors will provide food and drinks, handmade goods, beauty and skincare products and clothing. Local non-profits will teach visitors about the community resources they offer. Check out the full list of participating businesses here.

Alpha Sigma, the Indianapolis-based alumnae chapter of national sorority Sigma Gamma Rho, organized the event. The sorority is one of the "Divine Nine" Black Greek letter organizations established by the National Pan-Hellenic Council and was founded at Butler University in 1922.

Jocelynn Porter is one of many local business owners among Alpha Sigma’s ranks. Her online store We’re Popp’in Popcorn & Lemonade will return to the block party for a second time to serve up confections like Oreo blasted popcorn and handmade funnel cakes.

At last year's event, Porter met fellow entrepreneurs and introduced herself to a wider customer base. She said events like the block party are critical for growing her business.

“I’m trying to grow in every way possible and get this popcorn into everyone’s hands,” she said.

Alpha Sigma doesn't merely act as a social network, but as a support system for its members.

The sorority sisters want to share that solidarity with Black-owned businesses across the city. Porter said many minority residents may be interested in founding their own business, but few of them know where to begin or have the resources to materialize their ideas. Alpha Sigma is working to change that.

"I think the fear of not knowing scares people," Porter said. "Because you don't know who's gonna support you."

Mayrena King, the block party chair, said she hopes Indianapolis residents discover local companies they may not have known about before. In particular, she said she hopes the block party will highlight minority-owned firms that don't always receive the same opportunity or attention that other businesses do.

Sigma Gamma Rho's mission is to "enhance quality of life for women and their families," which King said extends to supporting Black community members in general.

"It's no secret," she said, that there is a wealth gap along racial divides in this country.

Consumers can help shrink that gap when they're thoughtful about where they shop, King said.

“It’s important for us to be intentional when shopping for goods and services,” she said. “We just consume a lot in this country. The event serves as an opportunity for the Indianapolis community to come out and meet some amazing business owners.”

And though the Black Business Block Party provides a platform to businesses owned by people of color, King said anyone is welcome to visit Georgia Street this Saturday.

"We are highlighting minority business," she said. "But it's not for minorities only. It's just to give minority businesses an opportunity to be seen."

This exposure is an essential step in closing the wealth gap. King said many people of color who were raised in blue collar families may not have ever learned about entrepreneurship opportunities growing up. She's hopeful that the block party will serve as an example to young Black children.

"African American young people need to understand the opportunities that are out there and available, and how they can make those things happen," she said.

Alpha Sigma is already working with the city's young people to kickstart the next generation of entrepreneurs. Harper Shockley-Thomas, 9, owns and operates Harper's Lemonade. Since she was two years old, Shockley-Thomas has hosted lemonade stands at local churches and farmer's markets.

Plus, she's selected an Indianapolis charity to which she donates a portion of her proceeds: The Mozel Sanders foundation, which serves residents hot meals on Thanksgiving day.

All week long, Shockley-Thomas has been preparing lemonade to sell at Saturday's block party. She even took the day off summer camp to bottle the beverages, which she said are brewed "with love."

The incoming fourth grader said running her own lemonade business helped her come out of her shell.

"In past years, I didn't really like talking to people," Shockley-Thomas said. "But when I had my lemonade stand, I knew I had to be talking to people more so they would buy lemonade."

Her mom, Heather Shockley, reminded her daughter that the weekend's event would promote Black-owned, women-owned businesses.

"I'm excited to see the girl power," Shockley-Thomas said.

Shockley said she's proud to watch her daughter learn people skills and grow into a young businesswoman. It's Harper's business, not hers.

"I'm just her employee," she said laughing.

Contact the reporter Tory Basile at vbasile@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @torybasilee.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Black Business Block Party to highlight Indy minority-owned businesses