The Black Business Empowerment Event is opportunity to:

• Learn about and from successful Black-owned Tacoma businesses,
• Learn about resources and funding that the City of Tacoma and Minority Business Development Agency has available for small and micro-businesses,
• Receive the most up-to-date information about the next round of PPP and best practices for your application.

Black-owned business panelists:

Diamond Sanger, Satori & Little Sister

"SATORI opened in 2013 as a women’s boutique that specialized in carrying indie and established contemporary lines. We carried apparel, accessories, jewelry, even plants at one point! During the shutdown I was forced to look at my business from a personal standpoint. Satori has been closed for almost a year undergoing renovations and having its own line manufactured. Little Sister opened in 2019 and is a much easier shop- we carry everything from makeup to skincare and zero waste products. The focus is on wellness, face masks and bubble baths aren’t the only way to treat yourself.. I choose products that fall in one of the following categories: woman owned, natural ingredients, handmade, free of common harmful ingredients."

Quincy Henry, Campfire Coffee

"Quincy Henry is Co-Owner of Campfire Coffee in Downtown Tacoma, America’s first and only black/female/veteran owned open flame coffee roasting operation. Campfire was launched at the start of the covid-19 pandemic and has since been featured in NPR, Roast Magazine, The News Tribune and more. Campfire was listed as one of Roast Magazine’s 20 Coffee Shops in 2021 and won both the Grand Prize and Public Favorite awards at Kitsap Bank’s Edg3 Fund competition. Prior to going into coffee, Quincy worked as Partner in a Seattle based Marketing agency after a 5 year stint as a 2x Grammy nominated, full time touring musician. Quincy recently completed his Doctoral studies in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and serves on the UW Tacoma Milgard School of Business Executive Council. "

Elizabeth Scott & Afi Howell, Quickie Too Restaurant

"Quickie Too is a family-owned and operated vegan restaurant in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood. Since opening in the 90's the family has continued their mission of providing the community with healthy comfort food that even non-vegans/vegetarians can easily enjoy. The Howells love traveling, and they are collecting recipes around the world that you can try at their café. "

Umi Wagoner & Dazjon Johnson, ETC Tacoma

"Umi Wagoner is a Tacoman through and through raised on the Southend. In 2014 he open downtown Tacoma boutique eTcTacoma with long time business partner and friend Perris Wright. Since the grand opening of eTc Tacoma Umi and Perris have welcomed in the youth and community they know and have been able to expand that network over the past 6 years working with both the city and businesses through the Puget Sound."

"Dazjon Johnson is Tacoma who wears his city like a badge of honor. It was at Henry Foss High School where Daz became the understudy of Perris Wright and Umi Wagoner co-owners of eTcTacoma. After graduating he pushed his way through Langston University in Oklahoma far from home his appreciation Tacoma’s unique way of life grew immensely. It was 2018 that Daz arrived home to a store manager position waiting on him. Since then he has consistently found ways to bring Tacomans together for fellowship or libations and organized ways to re-direct money into the community through benefits and fundraising efforts."

Karina Blasco, Only Oatmeal Cookie

"Karina has offered her addictively delicious oatmeal cookies to the city of Tacoma for over 10 years by way of local farmers markets throughout the city and surrounding areas. In her success at these markets and with the support of the community she took the leap of faith to open up her first shop located inside The Point Ruston Public Market. That initial leap of faith has allowed blessings to flow down and now you can pick up a sweet treat any day of the week."