Black Entrepreneurs Share Wisdom, Passion for Business

From left to right: Michael Massey, Desiree Aidoo, Devonne Canady, Tanahe Edwards, Michael Martin Jr., Casey Ogman and Sean Reeves Sr. Danielle Campbell photos.

The chance to break bread and share collective wisdom drew Black business owners and future entrepreneurs to Whitneyville Cultural Commons for thoughtful conversations about running one’s own enterprise.

Black Corner Investment Inc. organized the All-Black Women and Men's panel discussion in Hamden on the last Sunday of Black History month as a forum for those conversations and an opportunity for small business owners to share their passion. 

Vendors like Jennifer Simon of Live Well shared their businesses with attendees.

Kenia Massey, one of the entrepreneurs behind Black Corner Investment Inc., organized the panel discussion which included panelists Desiree Aidoo of Desiree's Delightful Treats LLC: Michael Martin Jr. of M&M Photography LLC; Sean Reeves of Printz On Deck; Michael Massey of the Black Corner Store and Black Corner Investments Inc.; Casey Ogman of Kittys Missey; and Devonne Canady of Elephant In The Room (EIR) Boxing Gym. 

The discussion was rich with inspiring stories of how each panelist started their ventures. They also talked about some of the setbacks they faced on their journey. 

When asked if they had any regrets about going into business, Martin of M&M Photography said he had none because his experience so far made him who he is today.

Devonne Canady and Michael Martin.

Devonne Canady didn’t have any regrets but she had some cautions as someone who’s been in business since 2012.

“As a Black business owner, you must and I repeat, you must be careful who you trust. Right?” she said. “Because sometimes and let's be honest here, sometimes people are not always supportive, or they may not be the person you think they are. And sometimes things happen.”

In adjacent spaces to the main hall vendors like Trecia Martin, creator of Ray of Rye Scents, were selling their wares but also listening intently to the panelists. 

Martin’s business is named after her two daughters whom she counts as her biggest inspiration. She specializes in candles, body butter, body scrubs, bath melts, wax melts, and more. 

Tami Lind, creator of The Final Touch Apparel.

While several vendors focused on products that add a bit of scent or a sparkle to one’s life, James Belin Jr. 's business focused on practical matters of estate planning. 

He is the creator of a legacy planning workbook that he said features an “easy-to-follow framework designed to aid in the planning stages of meeting with and finalizing your estate with an attorney.” 

Caleb Harris of Choosing Your Freedom is an author and sex addiction recovery coach with his children's book.

Belin said that everyone should be planning their last wishes and wants, regardless of age, because “tomorrow isn’t promised.”

Massey said the event went as she had  hoped it would, offering  friends, family, and community members the opportunity to learn about different ways their neighbors and kin are invested in business. 

“The event did exactly what it was supposed to do [bringing] like-minded individuals together in one place to see and understand the different industries,” Massey said. “It's a great networking event to help with different resources.”