Recognizing and celebrating African-American entrepreneurs and community leaders will be a focus of the Dickey Museum’s 2023 Black History Month fundraiser.
Starting at 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 4, The Dickey Museum & Multipurpose Center will host their Connecting Excellence in Business, Community & Education banquet to celebrate Black History Month, featuring a soul food dinner catered by the staff at Main Street Intermediate School, awards, fellowship and music at Main Street Event Center, 3101 N. Main Street.
“I’m really excited,” said organizer Nakevia Miller, vice president of the board. “This year is my first time being really involved in creating the event. Before, I was just a volunteer for promotion, but this year I was heavily involved in planning.”
This is the first Black History Month banquet since the original historic home of Dr. James Lee Dickey in Taylor was destroyed by fire.
“Black History Month is a celebration, but it is also a reminder that black history is American history, and black culture is American culture, and we should honor the trials of African-Americans,” said Jennifer Harris, board president. “Proceeds will go towards the reconstruction of a replica of the Dickey House … But it’s not so much about the money, its about celebrating and recognizing the achievement of the African-American entrepreneurs in our community and bringing them to the forefront.”
A major focus of the night will be honoring excellence in the local community. Miller said this banquet will feature two Entrepreneur of the Year Awards from the 2023 Connecting Excellence Cohort she is starting with funding from the St. David’s Foundation for blackowned businesses in the area.
“We will be having a series of meetings, and I will be reaching out to the nominees as well as other small business owners as I find them and as they find me to invite them to workshops … but most of all, the core space is going to be listening sessions and storytelling sessions about their experience as entrepreneurs, just for the sole purpose of asking them how they want to be helped.”
Another component of the evening will feature a fair from 6 to 7 p.m., and Miller said she is still accepting vendors in the lobby of the events center.
“Everybody that I am talking to, I am inviting them to bring their table and bring their best conversation starters and just tell the people about what you do,” she said.
Miller said the event will be fun for all.
“It’s going to be cool,” Miller said. “There is going to be lots of music, lots of fun and laughs, and hopefully colorful attire.
Tickets are $15 each and $5 for ages six to 18. For more information, call Harris at 512-2966109.
