Atlantic City Hosts First Black Business Expo, Pledges $500K in Grants

ATLANTIC CITY — Atlantic City celebrated Black entrepreneurship on Tuesday, August 27, 2025, with its first-ever Black Business Expo at the historic All Wars Memorial Building, where local business owners showcased their products, forged new connections, and tapped into resources aimed at helping them grow.

The event featured panel discussions with emerging and established business leaders, live radio broadcasts promoting local brands, and an art exhibit curated by Atlantic City historian Ralph Hunter. Attendees also had the opportunity to apply for micro-grants designed to support small business development.

Mayor Marty Small Sr., who headlined the event alongside chamber leaders and state officials, used the occasion to announce a $500,000 city commitment to support Black-owned businesses. He also introduced Great Day University, a new initiative launching this fall that will provide free financial wellness programs—including credit repair and financial planning—to Atlantic City residents.

“Black businesses in Atlantic City have been ignored for far too long under previous administrations—and that ended with me,” Mayor Small said. “My administration has a clear plan and vision to support Black businesses by any means necessary, and to provide the tools they need to thrive. The Black Business Expo is just one step forward in our broader mission to empower all small businesses, with a focus on minority-owned enterprises.”

Bruce Weekes, the city’s assistant director of economic development, underscored the historical significance of the expo, which coincided with Atlantic City’s first official recognition of National Black Business Month.

“There was a time when our city was home to hundreds of Black-owned businesses. Today, that number has dwindled to just dozens,” Weekes said. “We see this expo as a launching pad to help restore the strong presence Black businesses once had in our community.”

The expo was organized by Weekes and Pam Fields of the city’s Economic Development team, with support from the Department of Planning and Development. City officials plan to make the Black Business Expo an annual tradition highlighting entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in Atlantic City.

Please Enjoy our Gallery from the Black Business Expo 2025.

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