Essence + New Voices Entrepreneur Summit & Target Holiday Market | Day 1

December 14, 2019 by thefatgirloffashion In FASHION & BEAUTY, FASHION & BEAUTY, LIFESTYLE, TRAVEL, Uncategorized Leave a comment

I spent the last event on my 2019 calendar celebrating women of color with other women of color and I couldn’t be happier. I attend the first-ever Essence + New Voices Entrepreneur Summit and Target Holiday Market. Keep reading to see how I spent day one.

“The ESSENCE + New Voices Entrepreneur Summit is an opportunity to highlight the vast spectrum of entrepreneurs and Black-owned businesses in the city—showcasing Atlanta as a model for commerce while making a real economic impact in our community.”_Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms

ESSENCE + New Voices Entrepreneur Summit and Target Holiday Market | ESSENCE

ESSENCE, the leading media, technology, and commerce company serving Black women, Launch today the ESSENCE + New Voices Entrepreneur Summit, taking place Friday, December 13th through Sunday, December 15th at West End Production Park in Atlanta, GA.

The event is designed to support entrepreneurs of color and cultivate increased economic opportunities for Black-owned businesses. This first-ever Summit represents ESSENCE’s commitment to providing these entrepreneurs the access and tools they need to thrive and transform the global economy.

The Summit will also include the first-ever ESSENCE x Target Holiday Market, which is designed as a holiday market to celebrate and support Black-owned brands and the local community. In addition to interactive and customized activities for the entire family, live musicians and bands, and local food trucks, and vendors.

Summit panel on “Getting funding.”

ESSENCE + New Voices Entrepreneur Summit and Target Holiday Market | New Voices Foundation

ESSENCE + New Voices Entrepreneur Summit

The New Voices Foundation says they seek to build a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem for women of color to advance their significant contributions to our economy and society. Using its access, capital, and expertise or ACE as a model, New Voices offers women of color entrepreneurs capital, leadership development, skill-building, learning and networking opportunities.

They use entrepreneurial summits, accelerators, pitch competitions, coaching/mentorship and or master classes. The Summit was created to inspire black business owners with new ideas to expand their brand and business. Panel discussions that focus on building Black wealth, government accountability, and accessing capital. Firechats with innovators who are driving revenue for culture-based businesses.

Summit panel on “Atlanta Tech.”

ESSENCE + New Voices Entrepreneur Summit and Target Holiday Market |Target Holiday Market

5 Interactive Shopping Villages

ESSENCE is well known for its live events, including Black Women in Music, Black Women in Hollywood, Street Style and the ESSENCE Festival. Essence so I was excited to attend the 3-day ESSENCE + New Voices Entrepreneur Summit and Target Holiday Market event. The jam-packed festive experience offers guests upwards of 50 themed pop-ups featuring Black-owned businesses across industries and categories for all our holiday gifting needs.

Sponsored by Target there were also many curated assortments of products from its Black-owned business vendors. These Black-owned businesses are important partners in helping Target meet its goals of increasing its number of certified diverse suppliers, their products help meet the needs of all Target guests while celebrating a diverse array of backgrounds, style, and creativity.

DJ Traci Steele.

ESSENCE + New Voices Entrepreneur Summit and Target Holiday Market | Day One Recap

Conversation With Retailers

On day one I spent the day speaking with and listening to many black business owners. I really enjoyed the holiday shopping experience. I made it a point to visit all five villages. Each village featured a variety of brands in fashion, wellness, beauty, kids, and food.

Day 1 events included with a keynote with Jermaine Dupri

Moments of Camaraderie

To me, it seemed like every moment of today’s event felt like home. Black people are an exceptionally diverse group of people. We have different upbringings and backgrounds but there was a sense of oneness created by this environment. From compliments given from woman to another woman, they have never met. Beyond just admiration of outfits, there was a genuine acknowledgment of business struggles and how to overcome them.