Legacy on the Block: A Black Business Showcase to Kick Off Minneapolis Black Business Week at 38th & Chicago

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Legacy on the Block: A Black Business Showcase to Kick Off Minneapolis Black Business Week at 38th & Chicago

Minneapolis, MN – July 2025 — The City of Minneapolis will launch its annual Black Business Week with Legacy on the Block: A Black Business Showcase, a full-day activation taking place on Thursday, July 24, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, centered at 38th & Chicago.

Legacy on the Block is a powerful, place-based celebration of Black entrepreneurship, creativity, and community power, led by Healthy Roots Institute and City Food Studio in collaboration with the 38th & Chicago Avenue business coalition, other local partners, including CANDO, Sabathani Community Center, AGAPE Movement, and more.

The event will feature a City-led press conference at 4:30 PM, with remarks from Mayor Jacob Frey, Councilmember Andrea Jenkins, and community leaders. The press conference will uplift the ongoing legacy of Black business ownership and call attention to the significance of the 38th & Chicago corridor as a cultural and economic hub.

Event Highlights Include:

  • Food Court Sampling & Business Storytelling from anchor corridor businesses like Smoke in the Pit and Just Turkey

  • A curated Art Crawl featuring Plot Gallery, Listen 2 Us Studio, Mystic Healing Stones,Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center, Wing Young Huie, and other creatives

  • A Cultural Walking Tour of 38th Street led by community historians and movement leaders

  • A vendor market and resource zone showcasing Black entrepreneurs and community organizations

  • A Fireside Chat and Open Mic amplifying the voices and visions of local Black business owners, creatives, and residents

The day begins with a Communities of Practice convening at Sabathani Community Center—bringing together cohort members from the Greater Twin Cities United Way Full Lives Grant to explore collective healing, food access, and Black-led collaboration. From there, the activation moves into a vibrant public celebration throughout the 38th & Chicago corridor.

Why It Matters:

Legacy on the Block is more than an event—it’s a statement. At a time when public attention has turned away from the intersection once at the center of global consciousness, this event calls us back—to witness, to support, and to invest in the Black businesses, artists, and community builders who never left.

This isn’t just a celebration—it’s a platform for Black entrepreneurs to be seen, supported, and sustained,” says Chef Lachelle Cunningham, event lead and founder of Healthy Roots Institute and City Food Studio. “Black business owners can’t build legacy in isolation—we need each other. Legacy on the Block is about moving together in unity, lifting one another up, and showing what’s possible when we invest in our community.”

Press Conference Details:

  • Time: 4:30 PM

  • Location: The Square at 38th & Chicago

  • Speakers: Mayor Jacob Frey, City Council President Elliot Payne, City Council Member Andrea Jenkins, Neighborhood Development Center and community business leaders

Media RSVP and Contact:

Members of the press are encouraged to attend the 4:30 PM press conference and explore the full activation throughout the day. Interviews, photo opportunities, and vendor features will be available.

For press inquiries or to RSVP, contact:
Bridgette Stewart, agapebstewart@gmail.com



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