Black Entrepreneurs Day

The first annual Black Entrepreneurs Day was broadcast live online on October 24, 2020.^[5][2][12] It featured speakers such as Shaquille O’Neal, Gabrielle Union, LL Cool J, and Jamie Foxx.^[2][5][7] It also featured musical performances from artists such as Chance the Rapper and Questlove.^[7] The event also awarded $225,000 to selected entrepreneurs through NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grants.^[5][7]

The second Black Entrepreneurs Day event took place at the Apollo Theater, in New York City and was broadcast live on October 14, 2021.^[13][14][15] Guest speakers included Kevin Hart, Michael Strahan, Tyra Banks, and Rev Run.^[8][13] The event also featured a musical performance from Khalid.^[16][17] $250,000 in NAACP grants were awarded to Black-owned businesses at the event.^[18][19]

The first iteration of the event won a Webby Award and a People’s Voice Award for the category “Virtual & Remote - Business & Finance” at the 2021 Webby Awards.^[11]

At the 2022 Webby Awards, the second iteration of the event won another Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for the category “Virtual & Remote - Business & Finance.”^[9][10] Medium Rare also received an Anthem Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for its work on the second Black Entrepreneurs Day event.^[20][21]