As we celebrate the achievements of African Americans during Black History Month, we want to use this opportunity to offer an invitation to our community to help us Recapture the Spirit of 1897.

In 1897 Wilmington was an outlier in the post-reconstruction American South, with a Black political, social, and economic community that was present, engaged, and promising.

Our community was most prosperous when our collective vision was unified in building community prosperity through entrepreneurship.

Genesis Block has the vision to leverage entrepreneurship as a mechanism for not only economic prosperity but social reconciliation. We demonstrate this vision by creating environments where the community can engage freely. Genesis Block promotes a message of empowerment, open exchange of ideas and inclusion to transform our community operating within a framework of one mind focused on economic prosperity and social reconciliation.

We are ready to lead our community forward with a pathway in peace, harmony and prosperity. We invite you to join us on February 23, 2022, 8 a.m. at Genesis Block for Inclusive Connections: To Build Pathways Forward. This is a platform for all and we encourage you to come out and meet a diverse group of people excited to build a prosperous community. Here is more information on Inclusive Connections.

What is Inclusive Connections?

Inclusive Connections: To Build Pathways Forward is an event created with the purpose of building community and collaboration to strengthen an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem for small business growth. We create collaborative environments that give community stakeholders the ability to work together in creating entrepreneurship opportunities that empower communities.

What is the main goal of Inclusive Connections and how does it bring value to the community?

We believe that increasing minority participation in contracting and procurement opportunities is low-hanging fruit to move the needle on creating entrepreneurial opportunities. Inclusive Connections offers a casual environment for small business owners, potential trade partners, procurement professionals and others to build meaningful partnerships that will lead to transactions and economic activity.

Who will this event benefit and who is invited?

Inclusive Connections will be of particular benefit to general contractors, people with a trade, small business owners, procurement professionals, entrepreneurs and those interested in connecting with trade partners. However, the entire community will benefit from coming to this event because the cross-pollination of a diverse group of people provides a great networking opportunity. Genesis Block is a hub for community gatherings and business activity.

What are the event details?

Inclusive Connections will be held on February 23, 2022, at 8 am at Genesis Block located at 20 Wrights Aly, Wilmington, North Carolina.