At a Critical Moment for Small Black-Owned Businesses, BOBE 2026 Convenes Entrepreneurs, Capital Leaders, and Policymakers at Seattle Public Library

Seattle, WA — January 26, 2026 — As small business owners across Washington State face rising costs, tightened access to capital, and growing burnout, Black-Owned Business Excellence (BOBE) will host its 7th Annual Symposium at the Seattle Public Library, convening entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and ecosystem leaders for a full-day public gathering focused on sustainability, access, and long-term business survival.

The 2026 theme, “Power Moves: Beyond

Boundaries — From Vision to Legacy,” reflects a growing shift among Black entrepreneurs—from hustle-based survival to systems-aware, health-centered leadership. Designed specifically for small business owners, founders, and early-stage entrepreneurs, the symposium offers practical education, policy context, and real pathways to capital, contracts, and long-term viability.

Founded in 2020, BOBE was created in response to persistent disparities facing Black-owned businesses. In Washington State, Black entrepreneurs represent a small but growing share of business ownership, yet continue to receive a fraction of available small business lending and public procurement opportunities—conditions that significantly affect business survival rates and generational wealth outcomes.

“BOBE exists because talent alone is not enough,” said Jenefeness Franke, MBA, Co-Founder & Executive Officer of Black-Owned Business Excellence. “Small business owners need access, protection, wellness, and systems literacy if they’re going to endure economic and political shifts without burning out.”

Morning Program: Systems, Wellness, and Leadership

The symposium opens with a grounding welcome that situates Black entrepreneurship within the current economic and policy landscape, followed by a Leadership & Community Video featuring elected officials and ecosystem leaders addressing the systems shaping Black business ownership across Washington State.

The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Margaret Towolawi, a physician and lifestyle medicine expert, in a session titled “Wellness as a Business Strategy: Building Sustainable Businesses Without Self-Sacrifice.”Dr. Towolawi reframes wellness as a leadership and economic issue—connecting chronic stress and burnout to decision-making, capacity, and long-term business outcomes.

Panels and Breakouts: From Vision to Access

The Entrepreneur Power Panel, moderated by Franke and featuring Olympia Edwards, Lawrence Mwantimwa, Dei’Marlon Scisney, and Shontia Whitehead, examines the real decisions that change entrepreneurial trajectories—bridging leadership wellness, technology, mentorship, and community support.

The Ecosystem Builders Panel, moderated by Monika Mathews and featuring Zenovia Harris, Cedric Austin, Schanice Staples, and Shaude’ Moore, focuses on access to capital, contracts,

and opportunity—naming how systems are navigated, restricted, and reshaped.

Afternoon breakout sessions provide practical education for small business owners, including:

• Capital pathways and SBA-aligned financing with Evergreen Business Capital and Business Impact Northwest

• Digital branding and visibility with Keisha Credit

• Mental health and sustainable leadership with Ashley McGirt-Adair

• Building fundable businesses with Dr. Ebony Grey

• Ethical AI and cultural sovereignty with Giselle Fuerte

• Wealth-building beyond the business with Alexandria Ware and Katie Hodge

Community & Business Leadership Awards

The day includes a Community & Business Leadership Awards Ceremony, honoring individuals and organizations whose work exemplifies “Power Moves” in action—recognizing leadership, service, and ecosystem impact across Washington State. Award presenters include Meko Lawson, Frederick Brooks, Jenine Lewis, and Marsha Mutisi.

Access, Scholarships, and Community Impact

BOBE 2026 is intentionally designed to reduce barriers to participation. Scholarships and reduced-cost access are available to ensure small business owners—particularly early-stage founders and community-based entrepreneurs—can attend regardless of financial capacity.

“This symposium is not for corporations,” Franke emphasized. “It’s for real business owners navigating real constraints who deserve access to information, capital, and community.”

Public Invitation

The Black-Owned Business Excellence Symposium is open to the public and takes place in a civic space to reinforce its mission: economic access, transparency, and collective progress.

For registration, scholarship information, or media inquiries, visit www.bobe-wa.org.