Empowering Black Businesses: GRINDFest’s Unique Connection Platform

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GRINDFest, a festival focused on promoting Black-owned businesses, was recently held on the campus of A-B Tech in Asheville, North Carolina. The three-day event, sponsored in part by the nonprofit Black Wall Street, featured music and various offerings from Black-owned businesses, including Deep Time, a coffee vendor with a business model based on hiring individuals seeking a second chance post-incarceration. This year marks the fourth occurrence of GRINDFest, with local and out-of-state participants and vendors expressing contentment with the attendance.

Asheville GRINDFest Celebrates Black-Owned Businesses during Memorial Day Weekend

The Memorial Day weekend witnessed the successful launch of GRINDFest, a major festival based at A-B Tech in Asheville, NC. The event, now in its fourth year, is primarily focused on promoting Black-owned businesses.

Both local and out-of-state vendors participated in the event, expressing satisfaction with the turnout. Music filled the air throughout the three-day festival, which was partly sponsored by Black Wall Street, a nonprofit organization.

Asheville’s 4th GRINDFest Aims to Close Wealth Gap, Honors Black Wall Street Legacy

Much of the final day of GRINDFest, held on May 26, was marked by vendors enjoying the festivities, selling clothing, and showcasing a variety of offerings from Black-owned businesses.

J. Hackett, the founding figure of GRINDFest, communicated that the event serves a dual purpose. It allows people of color to connect with the tourism industry while providing visitors the opportunity to engage with local businesses that may not have a physical storefront.

One such business is Deep Time, a coffee vendor known for its unique hiring practice. Deep Time employs individuals who have previously been incarcerated and are grateful for a second chance. These employees work in the Asheville coffee scene, crafting blends in a local church basement which are then sold at retail.

GRINDFest attracted vendors from as far as Raleigh, with many commending the event’s strong turnout.

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