HYFIN, 37 Oaks hosts E-commerce Summit for Black Businesses

To support and empower local Black-owned small businesses, HYFIN is set to host its first-ever E-Commerce Summit on May 18 at Ward4 in the Pritzlaff Building in partnership with 37Oaks. The all-day event provides valuable insights and resources to help entrepreneurs navigate the increasingly competitive digital marketplace.

The summit, organized in partnership with Chicago-based, Black woman-owned commerce development and learning lab 37 Oaks, founded by Terrand Smith, will feature a series of workshops, panel discussions, and application exercises designed to help small business owners optimize their online presence and drive sales.

“The E-Commerce Summit is an opportunity for small business owners to gain the knowledge and tools they need to succeed in the ever-evolving digital marketplace,” said Tarik Moody, HYFIN’s director of digital strategy and innovation.

Attendees will have the chance to learn from a panel of experts who have successfully established their own online businesses, sharing their experiences and strategies for overcoming challenges. The event will also include workshops focused on improving product descriptions, analyzing data, and converting website visitors into customers.

In addition to the summit itself, participants will receive a 30-minute one-on-one coaching session with an industry expert and a one-month membership to the 37 Oaks Growth Lab, which provides access to courses, coaching, community, content, and services to help businesses grow.

The event, made possible by sponsors such as Verizon, American Family Institute for Corporate and Social Impact, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., and United Way Techquity, can accommodate up to 75 local small-business owners in its inaugural year. Interested Black-owned businesses can join the waitlist by filling out an online form, and confirmation of attendance will be sent by May 13.

For those unable to secure a spot this year, the summit will provide access to Operation HOPE’s One Million Black Businesses Initiative, which connects entrepreneurs with coaches to help launch and scale their businesses.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like the HYFIN E-Commerce Summit play a crucial role in ensuring that Black-owned small businesses have the support and resources they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.