Mayor John Cooper will recognize National Black Business Month by hosting and attending a series of events aimed at highlighting some of Nashville’s black business owners and encouraging residents to support and learn more about African American-owned businesses across the Metro Nashville area.
“Nashville’s black-owned businesses are an essential part of the cultural and economic fabric in our city,” said Mayor John Cooper. “As Mayor, I will continue to pursue equitable initiatives and policies that drive prosperity for minority-owned businesses and encourage entrepreneurship. Earlier this summer, I announced a $10 million investment to transform Burrus Hall on Fisk University’s campus into an innovation incubator. Modeled after similar programs at top universities around the country, the new Burrus Hall will host tech boot camps, mentoring programs, classes, workshops, and events to assist emerging entrepreneurs and spur business development right in the middle of the Jefferson Street corridor.”
On Friday, August 5, Mayor Cooper will attend the Nashville Black Market, which spotlights more than 40 Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs the first Friday of each month at the Nashville Farmer’s Market.
On Sunday August 7, Mayor Cooper will join Ernie Allen on 92Q at 1pm CT for the hour to discuss key issues facing Nashville’s neighborhoods and families.
Later in August, Mayor Cooper will visit the Black Business Month Expo, which will feature more than 40 minority-owned businesses selling their goods and services. Mayor Cooper will also have conversations with local Black entrepreneurs and business owners including Rhonda Cammon, Creator and CEO of Perfectly Cordial; Chef Star Maye, executive chef and co-owner of Anzie Blue Café in Hillsboro Village; and David Swett of Swett’s Restaurant.
National Black Business Month was created in 2004 by historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr. to bring attention to the needs of more than two million Black-owned businesses operating across America.
August 5: Nashville Black Market
900 Rosa L Parks Blvd. Nashville, TN 37208
6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
August 14: Black Business Expo
3250 Dickerson Pike, Nashville TN 37207
1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Rhonda Cammon
With over 20 years of hospitality experience, Rhonda Cammon left a 20-year nursing career to pursue her passion to create three distinctive companies all with a focus on food and beverage. Perfectly Cordial, a fruit-first, female-founded and female-sourced beverage company. Barseat, one of the first African American spirit education and consultant companies in Nashville, and Cammon is also the co-owner of the CAMP Conference, which focuses on the mobile beverage community.
Star Maye
Prior to Chef Star Maye earning the title as executive chef at Anzie Blue, she spent 20 years working in the shadows of the male-dominated restaurant industry. With an extensive culinary background, she has previously held leadership positions at well-known dining venues in and around Nashville, such as The Palm, City Winery and the Governor’s Club. As a graduate of the Culinary Institute, and after honing her craft, Maye is passionate about creating distinctive dishes inspired by her love of soul food.
David Swett
David Swett was raised in the family business along with his eight siblings. David’s parents instilled an entrepreneurial spirit in him at a young. Since 1979, he has owned and operated Swett’s Restaurant - a popular landmark in the North Nashville community.