Downtown Phoenix Inc. Celebrates Black History Month with Record-Breaking Entrepreneurship Rate
Downtown Phoenix currently has 34 Black-owned businesses and counting, 12 of which opened in the past year. In honor of Black History Month this February, Downtown Phoenix Inc. [DPI], a community-building nonprofit that provides enhanced municipal services to the Downtown business core and marketing and event production to Greater Downtown, is spotlighting small business owners and influential visionaries by sharing their stories and amplifying Black leadership.
The Black business landscape in Phoenix comprises various industries, with an emphasis on hospitality, retail, and wellness. Downtown is seeing an increased investment in small business incubation for entrepreneurs, and one collective is paving the way. ACRES (Archwood Community Resource Empowerment Strategy) launched the Buy Black Marketplace in 2017 with a small group of vendors, and now, over 40 vendors attend their markets twice a month. Since its origination, the Archwood Exchange team has opened a community space in the historic Arnold Pickle House on Van Buren Street, successfully incubated two businesses, and operates five additional businesses outside the marketplace, all within Greater Downtown Phoenix. “It’s the most rewarding experience to witness these community wins firsthand,” said Henry Dickerson, co-founder and board chair of Archwood Exchange. “It’s a labor of love, but we’re paying it forward, and that keeps us going every day.”
Trailblazers like Archwood Exchange are highlighted in DPI’s campaign through various mediums like the organization’s website, DTPHX Insider Newsletter, and social media, which boasts a combined following of over 336,000 followers. In addition to digital media, Downtown will be adorned with vibrant Black History Month street pole banners, posters, and marketing collateral that reflect the significance of the month. "With nearly 80% of our street-level businesses being locally owned, Downtown continues to drive economic growth through the support of small businesses and local entrepreneurship,” said Devney Majerle, president and CEO of Downtown Phoenix Inc. “We’re fortunate to have such a diverse pool of engaged entrepreneurs, and we’re honored to share their success stories.”
Further strengthening the Black History Month campaign, DPI will be hosting the second annual CAN I KICK IT? event on February 22, from 3 to 8 p.m., highlighting DJ-duo Shaolin Jazz from Washington, D.C., who will live score a soundtrack on top of the movie “Men in Black.” In addition to the movie, Archwood Exchange will present its Buy Black Marketplace, while Tricee Thomas of The Garment League will showcase a fashion show featuring Black designers from the community. For more information about Downtown Phoenix Inc.’s Black History Month campaign, please visit www.dtphx.org/black-history-month.