A night of elegance, dining, soulful entertainment, and the nostalgia of classic cars at our Inaugural Circle of Community Black Business Gala and Awards!
Grant recipients & Awardees:
Circle of Community Grant: 356 Days, 365 Chances Counseling Services LLC, Smokin H’s Meats, Black Paradise Doulas LLC, Zydeco Meadery, Aunt Meka’s, Rhone Enterprises LLC, Winks by Thanie and J’s Makeup Artistry.
Lifetime Achievement & Longevity Award: Clay Taylor, of American Family Insurance. Taylor has run his insurance agency for more than 30 years serving families and businesses in the Manhattan, Kansas area.
Youth Achievement Awards: Kylee’s Konfectionary, owned and operated by 11-year-old Kylee Burt, is sixth grader at Fort Riley Middle School. She creates dipped treats in her business selling locally through events and catering.
Tre’s Squeeze, owned and operated by 11-year-old, Tremaine Glasper, a fifth grader at Northview Elementary creates freshly-squeeze lemonade sold in Hy-Vee, his website and events.
2022-2023 Circle of Community Sponsors
UJIMA SPONSORS: Kansas Health Foundation, Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce, K-State Innovation Partners, Kansas Black Leadership Council, Butler Family Charitable Foundation and Kansas Gas Service.
NIA SPONSORS: Hy-Vee, Kansas African-American Affairs Commission, Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, 365 Days 365 Chances Counseling LLC, On Purpose Works, Johnny Taylor, New Boston Creative and Mary Vanier.
UJAMAA SPONSORS: ESB Financial, Ward & Brenda Morgan Community Fund, Manhattan Brewing Company and Cause, LLC.
KUUMBA SPONSORS: Junction City Chamber of Commerce and Commerce Bank.
Gala Planning Committee & Volunteers: Tychelle Ransom, Mentoria Green Nathania Nathy Riva, Jessica Michell Andrews, Crystal Davis, Tonya Winston, Jermaine Glasper, DeMario Johnson 2 Peaches, Clay Taylor, Doug Barrett, Johnny Taylor, QueenArty Weekes, Dwan Miller, Toni Owens, Chaz Mailey and Brittany Fielder.
Our Gala Vendors: Performers: JahVelle, Justin Aaron, Keynote: Dell Gines, Caterer: Chef Lamona; Audio Technician: Owen Taylor (OTAV);
Event Photographer: Luke Townsend; Headshots: Dwan Miller; BEFH video production: Companion Projects Media, LLC; Event Videography: Rough Diamond Media;
Visual Branding/Graphics/Web/Social & Email Marketing: SEG Media Collective, LLC;
Table Candle Favors: Positively Soap & Candle Co; Appetizer Table Donation & Floral: Hy-Vee;
VIP bag products: Zydeco Meadery, Smokin’ H's Meats and Nikita's Cakery;
Banners, posters & rack cards: Able Printing
BEFH Decor Team: Nathania Nathy Riva, Jessica Michell Andrews, Crystal Davis and DeMario Johnson
Venue: Midwest Dream Car Collection
February 25, 2023 | 6 to 9 p.m. | Midwest Dream Car Collection
3007 Anderson Ave, Manhattan, KS 66503
The purpose of this gala is to further our mission of empowering, equipping, and engaging black entrepreneurs in our region. This gala will be the first of its kind in our region recognizing and celebrating black entrepreneurship and excellence as well as recognizing our allies in our entrepreneurial ecosystem who have contributed to our Circle of Community Fund and our black business grant recipients.
The event will feature keynote and economic ecosystem builder, Dell Gines and special performances by Junction City native, NBC The Voice's Justin Aaron and Influencer and Recording Artist, Jahvelle.
All funds raised will help further our mission to provide opportunities, culturally-competent business training and access to capital for black and underestimated founders in the Flint Hills.
Networking from 6 - 7 p.m. Program begins at 7 p.m. Semi-Formal to Formal attire is encouraged.
The Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills is a non-profit 501(c)(3)organization.