black entrepreneurs empowerment network | culture & community
Economic justice is a civil rights issue. Discrimination doesn’t only happen in courts or classrooms—it shows up in who gets capital, contracts, protection, and opportunity.
A Black Entrepreneurs Empowerment Network supports AADM’s vision by:
Addressing Economic Discrimination as a Root Cause. Economic exclusion has always been a tool of discrimination. By supporting Black and minority-owned businesses, we are correcting historic inequities, strengthening our community, and building sustainable pathways to justice. This is not about exclusion—it’s about access, repair, and equity.
How do we work towards addressing these issues?
The AADM host the Culture & Community Market series (previously Athens Black Market) a celebration of art, food, and local culture that creates equitable opportunities for black and minority vendors to share their product and services while creating a space for economic growth. This market brings the community together to uplift diverse voices & entrepreneurs
Vendor Eligibility Guidelines:
AADM welcomes participation from:
Minority-owned small businesses
Retail, Services, Local artisans, creatives, and food vendors representing cultural traditions
Vendor Requirements:
Must support AADM’s values of equity, inclusion, and anti-discrimination
Must provide products or services that reflect culture, creativity, or community connection
Community Impact:
By participating, vendors help support AADM’s work in:
Economic justice awareness
Community engagement and belonging
Join the Black EntreprenEurs Empowerment (Bee) Network
The AADM provides space for entrepreneurs to network and access resources. Join the BEE Network part of a growing community that’s dedicated to economic empowerment and collective success for Black and Minority entrepreneurs.
Stay up to date with vendors opportunities by completing the form below.
Black EntreprenEurs empowerment (Bee) Network
Be part of a growing community that’s dedicated to economic empowerment and collective success for Black and Minority entrepreneurs.
Stay up to date with vendors opportunities by completing this form.
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WHY FOCUS ON BLACK BUSINESSES?
Because discrimination created the disparity.
This focus is not arbitrary—it is historically and legally grounded.
Historically, Black and minority entrepreneurs were:
Locked out of New Deal programs
Denied SBA loans and bank financing
Redlined out of commercial districts
Excluded from unions and trade networks
Targeted by predatory lending
Shut out of government contracting
These barriers were state-sanctioned, not accidental.
You cannot repair harm without naming who was harmed.
Equity ≠ Equality
Equality gives everyone the same thing.
Equity gives people what they need to overcome systemic barriers.
A wheelchair ramp is not discrimination against people who walk.
Targeted business support is not discrimination against those who already had access.
Debunking the “This Is Discrimination” Argument
1. Supporting marginalized groups is not discrimination
U.S. civil rights law once recognized remedial and inclusive programs designed to address historical exclusion.
Courts have consistently upheld:
Minority business development programs
Women-owned business initiatives
Veteran business preferences
Because they expand access, not restrict it.
2. No one is being excluded from opportunity
A Black Entrepreneurs Empowerment Network:
Does not remove resources from others
Does not prevent anyone from starting a business
Does not deny services based on race
It adds resources where they were intentionally denied.
That is corrective justice—not discrimination.