Black Business Network

St. Paul | Minneapolis

Black Business Network (BBN) unites and empowers Black-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals across Minnesota through community support, economic development, and advocacy.

Our Mission

The purpose of the Black Business Network (BBN) is to unite and empower Black-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals in Minnesota through community support, economic development, and advocacy, while creating opportunities for connection, collaboration, and collective advancement.

Food Truck Fridays

Food Truck Fridays begins May 1—bringing community, visibility, and sales opportunities for Black-owned businesses.

Vendor / Retailer Interest Sponsor a Friday

Come to an Event!

Join us at one of our events and connect with Black entrepreneurs, community leaders, and supporters across Minnesota. Whether you're networking, learning, or celebrating, your presence helps strengthen and uplift our local businesses. Be part of the movement—attend today!

BBN

News & Updates

Monthly Theme: Prepare. Strengthen. Scale.

Build to Scale is BBN’s focus for April. This month centers business readiness, stronger systems, and strategic growth as we prepare for Phase 1 of Business Ascend. Through this focus, BBN is supporting the long-term success of Black-owned businesses in Minnesota by emphasizing stronger operations, clearer structure, and readiness for future growth.

Food Truck Fridays Update

Food Truck Fridays will now run May 1, 2026 through November 20, 2026, happening every other Friday, due to logistical coordination with the city. This seasonal series creates consistent visibility for Black-owned food trucks and small businesses while giving the community an easy way to shop and support locally. Vendor and retailer interest is open now.

Become a Vendor

Website + Member Access Update

BBN’s website is continuing to grow, with new member access features now being rolled out to better organize tools, updates, and opportunities in one place. Resources that were previously shared across multiple spaces will now become part of the member experience, including portal access, updates, and future learning tools. Full member access integration and functionality is targeted for April 30, 2026.

Get Member Access

Live Funding Opportunities — Updated Weekly

BBN’s Live Funding Opportunities page helps businesses stay on top of grants, RFPs, and other funding resources without digging through multiple sites. We update this list weekly so you can quickly spot new opportunities, deadlines, and support resources that may fit your business or organization. This funding resource will be fully integrated into BBN’s member access portal by April 30, 2026. After that date, the current direct link will no longer be active, and access will take place through the member portal.

View Funding Opportunities

Organizational Update: Welcoming Our Executive Director

BBN is entering an exciting new chapter as we begin onboarding our first Executive Director. This milestone strengthens our internal capacity and supports more consistent program delivery, stronger partnerships, and long-term growth across the organization. Over the next 30 to 60 days, members can expect continued progress as BBN integrates this leadership role into operations and prepares for the next phase of programming, systems, and community support.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

We extend our sincere thanks to Rooted Philanthropic, District 5, ESABA, the University of St. Thomas Family Business Center, and Sheletta Makes Me Laugh for their generous support of Black Business Network. Your commitment helps empower Black-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals across Minnesota by strengthening economic opportunity, community support, and long-term growth. We are deeply grateful for your partnership and continued investment in the success of our communities.