More than 50 Black-owned businesses and county nonprofits were featured during an expo on Tuesday.
The inaugural Black Business Expo at The Universities at Shady Grove showcased local businesses in Montgomery County.
“It’s just a great opportunity for vendors to meet potential customers, also to build links among themselves,” said County Executive Marc Elrich.
“I started The Elm Shop actually during the pandemic selling handmade face masks, and then it just expanded based on what the customers wanted,” said Elaine Myada, who owns the shop, an online boutique featuring items like dolls, mugs, jewelry, cards and clothing made by Black creators.
“It’s not just because it’s Black History Month,” said County Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles. “Anything that we can do — especially post-pandemic — to ensure that our small minority-owned businesses thrive,” she said.
The Montgomery County Black Collective organized the event.
