By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Black-Owned Business Excellence (BOBE) hosted its sixth annual symposium at the Wood Technology Center, continuing its mission to empower Black business owners and entrepreneurs. The organization, which prides itself on being “a beacon of empowerment, connection, and growth,” focused on strengthening Black businesses and ensuring their success in 2025 and beyond.
Jenefeness Franke, co-founder and board member of BOBE, emphasized the event’s role in fostering connections and providing essential resources.
“These events are important and essential because Black-owned businesses need to be attached and connected to the resources that will help our businesses thrive in 2025,” Franke said. “The overall feeling this morning is that folks are super engaged. We are having a great time, having open, authentic, and hard conversations about ourselves and our connected community members. I just think it is going really, really well. I am excited.”
The symposium featured a full day of programming, including keynote speakers and workshops on topics such as retirement planning, business succession, leveraging technology for growth, accessing capital and funding, and grant writing. Attendees also had the opportunity to network and explore supportive resources.
Black business owners and professionals from various industries participated, bringing enthusiasm and a strong sense of community. Collette Robinson, president of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle’s Guild, highlighted the event’s impact.
“This event was invaluable—great networking opportunities, positive vibes, and information I can take with me,” Robinson said.
Dr. Talitha Batts, owner of Cornerstone Atlantic, Inc., and an educational consultant, echoed the sentiment, calling the event “amazing” and beneficial for Black business owners seeking to sustain and expand their ventures.
“This has been an amazing event,” Batts said. “It’s an opportunity for business owners to access resources, gain information and education, and network with others. Not only did we learn how to sustain our businesses, but also how to excel and thrive. I have truly enjoyed myself and look forward to connecting with many people in the future.”
The success of Black-owned businesses, Franke emphasized, depends not only on internal resilience but also on community support. She urged everyone—regardless of background—to recognize the value of supporting Black businesses.
“I think it is super important for the community to support Black-owned businesses, whether they are Black or not,” Franke said. “Our businesses are a reflection of who we are, and we need everybody’s support in order to thrive.”
Source: Seattle Medium
