Media Contact
Skyler Scott
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(480) 262-1473
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30% of the businesses opened Downtown in 2024 were Black-owned businesses
PHOENIX —Downtown Phoenix currently has 36 Black-owned businesses and counting, 12 of which opened in the past year. In honor of Black History Month this February, Downtown Phoenix Inc. [DPI], a community-building nonprofit that provides enhanced municipal services to the Downtown business core and marketing and event production to Greater Downtown, is spotlighting small business owners and influential visionaries by sharing their stories and amplifying Black leadership.
The Black business landscape in Phoenix comprises various industries, with an emphasis on hospitality, retail, and wellness. Downtown is seeing an increased investment in small business incubation for entrepreneurs, and one collective is paving the way. ACRES (Archwood Community Resource Empowerment Strategy) launched the Buy Black Marketplace in 2017 with a small group of vendors, and now, over 40 vendors attend their markets twice a month. Since its origination, the Archwood Exchange team has opened a community space in the historic Arnold Pickle House on Van Buren Street, successfully incubated two businesses, and operates five additional businesses outside the marketplace, all within Greater Downtown Phoenix. “It’s the most rewarding experience to witness these community wins firsthand,” said Henry Dickerson, co-founder and board chair of Archwood Exchange. “It’s a labor of love, but we’re paying it forward, and that keeps us going every day.”
Trailblazers like Archwood Exchange are highlighted in DPI’s campaign through various mediums like the organization’s website, DTPHX Insider Newsletter, and social media, which boasts a combined following of over 336,000 followers. In addition to digital media, Downtown will be adorned with vibrant Black History Month street pole banners, posters, and marketing collateral that reflect the significance of the month. “With nearly 80% of our street-level businesses being locally owned, Downtown has never been better equipped to drive economic growth and support local entrepreneurship,” said Devney Majerle, president and CEO of Downtown Phoenix Inc. “We’re fortunate to have such a diverse pool of engaged entrepreneurs, and we’re honored to share their success stories.”
Further strengthening the Black History Month campaign, DPI will be hosting the second annual CAN I KICK IT? event on February 22, from 3 to 8 p.m., highlighting DJ-duo Shaolin Jazz from Washington, D.C., who will live score a soundtrack on top of the movie “Men in Black.” In addition to the movie, Archwood Exchange will present its Buy Black Marketplace, while Tricee Thomas of The Garment League will showcase a fashion show featuring Black designers from the community. For more information about Downtown Phoenix Inc.’s Black History Month campaign, please visit www.dtphx.org/black-history-month
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ABOUT DOWNTOWN PHOENIX INC.
Formed in 2013, Downtown Phoenix Inc. [DPI] is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that delivers enhanced municipal services to the Downtown business core and marketing and event production to Greater Downtown. Additionally, the organization oversees the work plans for Phoenix Community Alliance, a 501(c)(3) organization, and Downtown Phoenix Community Development Corporation, a 501(c)(4) organization. DPI and its affiliate organizations are committed to making Phoenix a vibrant urban destination and one of the nation’s great cities. For more information, please visit dtphx.org.