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Inspiring Entrepreneurs: Black Wealth Builders


    Celebrate Black History Month with stories from Inspiring Entrepreneurs! Join us for a panel discussion celebrating Black entrepreneurs who are breaking barriers, building legacies and reshaping industries. From transforming retail and food to revolutionising beauty and broadcasting, this event offers real insight into building wealth through entrepreneurship.

    Hosted by *BBC 1Xtra's Richie Brave*, this engaging event will highlight real stories of purpose-driven leadership, innovation and wealth building. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your business, this session will leave you energised and equipped to build your own legacy.

    On the day expect to:

    • hear from social impact entrepreneurs changing how we support Black-owned businesses
    • discover how food, culture and heritage can be turned into a thriving business
    • learn how innovation and sustainability are transforming the beauty industry
    • gain insights into navigating funding, scaling, and authentic brand building
    • be inspired by stories of resilience, creativity and community connection.

Speakers

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The Beat Goes On: Black Voices in the British Music Industry


In celebration of the British Library’s “Beyond the Bassline” exhibition, we’ve assembled some ground-breaking Black entrepreneurs who’ve transformed the British music industry to share the secrets of their success, including the highs and lows of their entrepreneurial journeys.

At £2.5 billion, the UK is home to Europe's most valuable digital music economy (Statista, 2021, 2023). However, despite the undeniable contribution of Black music artists and entrepreneurs to these figures, 2021’s Black Lives in Music report found that among Black music professionals, 73% experienced direct or indirect racism and noted disparities in respondent’s earnings and ability to gain music funding.

As part of our Inspiring Entrepreneurs series, this event provides a unique chance to hear our panel discuss the challenges and realities of the industry and share their experiences leveraging their creative talent to drive positive change for other artists and innovators. So if you’re thinking about starting a business, or already running one, join us to gain insight into their journey – or simply be inspired!

On the day, you can expect to:

Examine how entrepreneurship has evolved in the music industry, focusing on the journey of Black music in Britain and how this has been impacted by trends and other cultural shiftsLearn how music artists and creatives are transforming wider popular culture and redefining BlacknessAnalyse diverse business models utilized in the industryDiscover new opportunities and potential pitfallsPut your specific questions to our expert panel.

Michael Cashman

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