In Summit County, Ohio, black business owners banded together and founded the Summit County Black Chamber of Commerce once they realized there was no Chamber of Commerce for black businesses in the county.

According to the Black Chamber of Commerce was created to help bridge the racial wealth gap and create more opportunities for Black entrepreneurs. Robert DeJournett, founder and CEO of the Black Chamber of Commerce, told the outlet that Black businesses in the business community think the chamber is a great idea.

According to directory run by US Black ChambersThe Summit County Black Chamber of Commerce will develop into one in every of 25 Black Chambers of Commerce in the Midwest and one in every of greater than 150 across the United States.

“Everybody thinks it’s a great idea and it’s very necessary, but some of our companies are not involved; they’ve fallen off the radar,” DeJournett said.

Black Chamber of Commerce Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Misty Beasley said, “Black business owners often work in their businesses, so it’s hard for them to work on them or they don’t have the information, knowledge or resources to work on them, so having an organization that can help them with that and help them be successful is really important.”

About one-third of Akron’s population is black, according to the U.S. Census. Akron is the seat of Summit County, and a 2017 study by the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce found that a big portion of the county’s black community is excluded from economic opportunities.

“If this problem is not addressed, it will severely hamper innovation and startup activity, and as a result, the workforce will be unable to participate in the knowledge economy,” the report said.

As Beasley said, “We want to be a voice for black-owned businesses.” Beasley was previously employed by the Akron Urban League. “We want to create something that we help ourselves with.”

According to a press release was issued by the Summit County Black Chamber of Commerce, “The mission of the Summit County Black Chamber of Commerce (BCCSC) is to develop, strengthen, promote and support Black-owned businesses and to be the collective voice and advocate for the interests of the Black business community and the community at large. The nonprofit organization aims to close the racial wealth gap by fueling entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for inclusive commerce. It will focus on key areas such as advocacy, education, collaboration and resource availability, enabling Black entrepreneurs to grow and contribute to the prosperity of the region.”

The Summit County Black Chamber of Commerce is looking for donations from founding donors of $1,000 or more to help speed up the organization’s growth. In return, the group guarantees exclusive recognition for its donors, which incorporates: placement on the Founding Donor list on the group’s website, recognition at Black Chamber of Commerce headquarters or offices, invitations to the Founding Donor Recognition event, a Founding Donor badge and certificate, access to exclusive events, advantages and discounts, and the chance to join the Founding Donor Advisory Board.

Fiyori Vodka changes the foundations of the alcohol industry, offering a singular combination of luxury and well-being.

Founded by Clarence Darkwa and COO Jay Black, Fiyori is the world’s first organic vodka with hemp. It offers a smooth, sophisticated drinking experience combined with the health advantages of organic hemp seeds. As black entrepreneurs in a white-dominated industry, Clarence and Jay have overcome challenges and broken barriers to create a product that stands out and is leading a brand new wave of wellness-conscious spirits.

BLACK ENTREPRENEURSHIP We caught up with the founders to debate their journey, the innovation behind their brand, and the way Fiyori is poised to disrupt the market.

BE: What inspired you to create Fiyori and the way did the thought for an organic hemp-infused vodka come about?

Clarence and Jay: Fiyori was inspired by the need to create a premium vodka that not only tasted exceptional, but in addition offered health advantages. Known for its wealthy dietary profile—filled with essential fatty acids, proteins, and antioxidants—hemp seeds were a natural alternative. We desired to mix wellness with pampering, and so the thought of ​​an organic vodka infused with hemp was born. Fiyori was a product that combined one of the best of each worlds: premium vodka and the advantages of organic hemp seeds, while maintaining a smooth, sophisticated taste.

Can you tell us concerning the technique of developing the world’s first organic hemp-infused vodka? What challenges did you encounter along the best way?

Creating the world’s first organic hemp-infused vodka has been an exciting journey. The process began with sourcing high-quality organic hemp seeds that met our rigorous standards for sustainability and purity. We experimented with the infusion process to realize the proper balance of flavor without compromising the smoothness of the vodka. One of the most important challenges was overcoming regulatory hurdles and educating consumers concerning the difference between hemp and marijuana. Despite these hurdles, we remained committed to creating a singular product that showcased the natural advantages of hemp seeds.

Why was it necessary to you that Fiyori vodka not only be hemp-infused but in addition organic? How do these decisions reflect your brand values?

From the very starting, we were committed to making a vodka that was aligned with the values ​​of quality, sustainability and wellness. The decision to make use of organic ingredients stemmed from our belief that customers deserve a clean, pure product without harmful additives. Hemp seeds have quite a few health advantages and we desired to preserve these characteristics through an organic process. This commitment to integrity reflects Fiyori’s mission to supply a premium, health-conscious vodka while supporting sustainable farming practices.

How do you think that the addition of hemp makes your vodka stand out from others available on the market and the way have consumers responded to it to date?

The hemp infusion definitely sets Fiyori apart in some ways. It adds a subtle nutty flavor and offers potential health advantages like improved heart health, reduced inflammation, and protection of neurological function. Consumers were thrilled to find a vodka that not only tastes smooth but may also contribute to their overall well-being. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many purchasers surprised by how smooth our vodka is and thrilled by the potential health advantages.

In an industry where tradition often rules, how does Fiyori manage to embrace innovation while still paying homage to the art of vodka making?

While we honor traditional vodka-making techniques, we’ve embraced innovation with our hemp seed infusion and deal with organic ingredients. Using state-of-the-art equipment and sustainable practices, we’ve created a product that’s each modern and respectful of workmanship. Our goal is to refine the vodka-making process without overshadowing its roots, combining tradition with recent trends in wellness and sustainability.

Given current trends within the alcohol industry, where do you see Fiyori’s place and what do you think that the longer term holds for cannabis-infused alcohol?

Fiyori suits right into the growing trend of health-conscious, organic spirits. As more people see the advantages of hemp and as regulations evolve, we imagine hemp-infused spirits will turn into more popular. We are proud to be on the forefront of this movement, leading the charge to coach consumers and push the boundaries of premium spirits.

What advice would you give to aspiring black entrepreneurs seeking to break through? spirits industry or other highly competitive market?

Our advice to aspiring Black entrepreneurs is to remain true to your unique vision. Your personal experiences and perspective can set you apart. Build strong networks, deal with quality and innovation, and persevere within the face of challenges. The journey is not going to be easy, but with exertions, community support, and a transparent mission, success is within sight.

Former NBA star Gary Payton recently partnered with Green Label Rx to launch Greater Purpose, a cannabis-infused wellness brand with recovery support for athletes and professionals.

The product will debut on September 20 at Hall of Flowers, a cannabis industry trade show in Santa Rosa, California. The former legendary Seattle Supersonic guard has teamed up with Green Label Rx founder Jason McKnight to bring the product to the world.

“Having maintained peak physical fitness throughout my career, it became important to me to share the benefits of cannabis recovery and offer the highest quality wellness products to those with an active lifestyle,” Gary Payton said in a written statement.

Greater Purpose bills itself as the primary brand of its kind to mix the worlds of recovery and cannabis. The topical product line will help alleviate chronic muscle pain, because it has been developed to harness the healing properties of cannabis and is designed to assist those with an lively lifestyle.

During the Hall of Flowers festival, people will have the opportunity to experience Greater Purpose, receive exclusive prizes, watch live product demos and meet Payton on the event.

“Greater Purpose is more than just a product line – it’s a movement to change the way we think about recovery and self-care,” said Jason McKnight.

It was recently revealed that Payton, who has been coaching basketball for several years, was announced as the brand new head coach of the College of Alameda men’s basketball team. He will lead the team after serving as head coach at Lincoln University in Oakland, California for the past three seasons.

Payton has coached within the Big3 Ice Cube league since its inception in 2017. He led his team to a title last season and was named Big3 Coach of the Year.

In 2006, he won the NBA championship with the Miami Heat. The 56-year-old played within the NBA for 17 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. In the 1995-96 season, he was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the primary point guard to win the award.