Flint, MI—From humble beginnings to lessons learned throughout their journeys, a handful of entrepreneurs shared insights during a panel discussion at the “Black Dollar Black History Month Social” event on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023.

While the panelists offered plenty of practical tips on social media marketing and pricing, they also dove into broader conversations about how the Flint community could better support its small businesses and why they are important to the city.

Brandee Cooke-Brown, the Executive Director of 100k Ideas speaks during the panel discussion at the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
Jessyca Mathews, an award-winning teacher, activist and published writer, speaks during the panel discussion at the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)

On top of the panel discussion, the event brought together more than a dozen Black business owners from Flint to show that the city has more to offer than many may initially expect, said Terrance Green, the founder of Black Amor, who hosted the event.

“My intention is to get people to realize the things that you’re searching for outside of Flint are actually here,” Green said. “The majority of people I see that leave always say there’s nothing here, and it’s like, ‘Are you supporting what’s here?’”

Kendrick Hood holds up a bag he designed for the first line of his clothing brand It’s O.V.A. during the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
Karima Majied displays handmade hair oils on the table for her business, Dime Diva LLC, during the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
Sydney White smiles at she talks with customers at her best friend’s hair care product business, Desired Hair Company, during the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
Panelists discuss lessons they’ve learned as entrepreneurs during the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)

Green founded Black Amor in 2020 when he moved back to Flint after living in Nashville, Tenn. for about three years, he said. Nashville’s economy was growing fast at the time, and he had a job that afforded him a BMW and a nice home, he said. But he was stressed.

“I woke up one morning, I was just mad,” he said. “Like, why am I mad? I have all this stuff that society tells me I’m supposed to have to be happy. I realized that I wasn’t doing anything purposefully.”

Those years in Nashville helped Green see the importance of self-love, he said, but he also took with him lessons from the city’s small business community. Now back in Flint, he said he’s hoping to do his part to cultivate a more collaborative network for small business owners and bring wealth to the city.

“It’s also just about how community works,” he said. “Everybody has their own lane. If we do it properly, we can all flow together and actually grow as a community.”

K’Dijah Tyson, a real estate investor and an entrepreneur who co-owns Crowned Beauty LLC with her best friend Briona Ross, speaks during the panel discussion at the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
Ondante Lott, founder of Solidified Clothing, smiles as he talks with a customer during the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
Ondante Lott, founder of Solidified Clothing, holds up one of his hoodies during the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
Anthony Allen, an actor and entrepreneur, speaks during a panel discussion at the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
Brekell Bee poses behind the table for her handmade candle business, Indulge Candle Bar, during the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
Brekell Bell displays handmade wax melts on the table for her business, Indulge Candle Bar, during the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
Panelists discuss lessons they’ve learned as entrepreneurs during the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
George Conway II, a licensed clinical therapist, speaks during a panel discussion at the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
Shunta Love, a dental hygienist and an entrepreneur who owns A & V Accessories and Boutique, speaks during the panel discussion at the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
George Conway II, a licensed clinical therapist, speaks during a panel discussion at the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
Sade English, Kass English and Reign English hang out at the table for their business, BeYOUty by Nature, during the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
Niy Hall displays nails she hand-decorated at the table for her business, Fresh Sets, during the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
Desi Boyce (right), the founder of Desired Hair Company, smiles with her best friend Sydney White (left) during the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
Ladonna Wyatt and Ples Wyatt, owners of Brook’s Tea, smile for a portrait during the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
Cedric Woods smiles as he shops around during the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)
K’Dijah Tyson, a real estate investor and an entrepreneur who co-owns Crowned Beauty LLC with her best friend Briona Ross, speaks during the panel discussion at the Black Dollar Black History Month Social at the Flint Farmers’ Market on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. (Michael Indriolo | Flint Beat)

Michael is Flint Beat’s multimedia journalist. He joined the team as a corps member of Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered...