Small Business Month
Celebrating Small Business Month with Purpose
Small Business Month—recognized nationwide each May alongside National Small Business Week—is more than a celebration. For Black & Brown Founders Inc. (BBF), it’s a movement.
It’s a time to recognize the resilience, innovation, and economic power of small business owners—especially those from underserved and underrepresented communities. It’s also a time to take action: to build, fund, scale, and sustain businesses that create generational wealth and community impact.
High-Value National Events
May 3
SBA National Awards Ceremony
Washington, D.C.
National visibility and award-winner networking. (Small Business Administration)
May 5–6
SBA National Small Business Week Virtual Summit
Online
Best national event for BBF members; free but registration required. (Small Business Administration)
May 7
U.S. Chamber CO— Small Business Day
Washington, D.C. + virtual
Strong for policy, cybersecurity, retail, AI, and networking. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
May 4–8
Inc. Small Business Week Series
Virtual
Scaling, leadership, AI automation, customer growth. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
May 7
Small Business Expo NYC
New York City
Large in-person lead generation and vendor networking. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
May 27
Small Business Expo Boston
Boston
Strong Northeast market access. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)
City-Level Evens
Charlotte, NC
Charlotte Small Business Month, #31DaysofBiz, Kickoff Networking, Crowns of Enterprise Awards, Breakfast & Business
May 1–31
Charlotte has one of the strongest citywide Small Business Month calendars. (Charlotte, NC)
Monroe / Union County, NC
Scaling Smart: Systems, Customers & Growth Summit
May 4
Hosted with South Piedmont Community College, Union County Chamber, and WBC Charlotte. (SBM Charlotte)
Columbus, OH
2026 Ohio Small Business Week & Lender Awards Celebration
May 6
SBA Ohio District event at Ohio State University Fawcett Center. (Small Business Administration)
Boise, ID
2026 SBA Small Business Awards Ceremony
May 6
SBA Boise District Office event. (Eventbrite)
Bristol, CT
National Small Business Week SBA Awards & Expo
May 6
SBA awards and expo at Bristol Event Center. (CBIA)
Laredo, TX
Small Business Week events: proclamation, networking, Power Block, stress/wellness workshop, mixer
May 4–8
Strong chamber-led week across the city. (Laredo Morning Times)
Laredo, TX
Economic Development Week: forums, expo, job fair
May 4–8
Economic development-focused business growth week. (Laredo Morning Times)
Hillsboro, OR
Small Business Expo
May 30
Washington County Chamber event at Walters Cultural Arts Center. (Washington County Chamber of Commerce)
Mobile County, AL
Southwest Mobile County Small Business Expo
May 2026
Chamber expo focused on local business connections. (Southwest Mobile County Chamber)