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A quarreling Minnesota House and big businesses dropping DEI commitments aren’t enough to stop Sheletta Brundidge from putting on the third annual Black Entrepreneurs Day at the Minnesota Capitol.

The event, which is scheduled for Monday, brings together Black business owners from across the state to build relationships with lawmakers. Broadcaster, podcaster and activist Brundidge is determined it will go off without a hitch, despite being unexpectedly short of its $25,000 price tag.

Amazon put up $10,000 to sponsor Black Entrepreneurs Day, Brundidge said. But when the multi-trillion-dollar company pulled back on its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, she sent them back their check. 

“I thought about Dr. King. I thought about Rosa Parks. I got local and thought about Dr. Josie Johnson and the sacrifices they made. And I thought, I can’t take these people’s money,” Brundidge said. “So I called Amazon back. I didn’t get Jeff Bezos, but I said, ‘Give this money back to Jeff Bezos and tell him I said, thanks, but no thanks.’”

As a woman of faith, Brundidge is praying and feels confident help will come.

“I do not believe that the Lord has me out here on a limb, and he is not going to allow me to fail, but I know that this is going to go on whether I have to take money out of my vacation fund for my kids this year, or whether a good neighbor steps up to the plate,” she said.

 chipped in to fund a $5,000 scholarship. A stranger on the street slipped a check in Brundidge’s pocket, saying “I’m from Target. I’m sorry about my employer.” A fellow churchgoer signed a check. A small business owner offered $100.

“I’ve seen an outpouring of generosity chipping away at that money that I gave back,” Brundidge said.

Black Entrepreneurs Day has enabled Black business owners to lobby lawmakers. That’s led to millions earmarked for small business owners, more access to capital for people of color and changes to Minnesota law.

As House DFL members continue to boycott the session over a disputed power-sharing agreement, that leaves the visiting entrepreneurs fewer people to talk to. So, Brundidge called the delegation in Washington, D.C., and got a resounding yes that they’d show up. She also reached across the aisle and has GOP state lawmakers committed to attend, too.

“The success of business owners is not a democratic thing or Republican thing, it’s a Minnesota thing,” Brundidge said.

Cathy Wurzer

Host

Gracie  Stockton

Author

Activist Sheletta Brundidge says the third annual Black Entrepreneurs Day, which is scheduled for Monday, will go off without a hitch, despite being unexpectedly short of its $25,000 price tag.

DEI drops and House drama won't stop Black Entrepreneurs Day at the Capitol

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