Today we’d like to introduce you to Tinicia Smith.
Hi Tinicia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2016 I posed a question on Facebook, “Where are the Black Owned Businesses in San Diego? List them, tag folks, shout ’em out!” From there I linked with Sheri who is a childhood friend and track&field teammate as well as a Real Estate Business owner. She had an idea of hosting a networking event, particularly because she was often the only Black representative in a room full of Real Estate professionals. We held our first networking event that brought together over one hundred Black business owners and professionals and have been “putting on” for the city, and our commUNITY ever since.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Creating a space and platform for Black owned businesses has not been a smooth road at all. We encountered businesses who did not want to collaborate based solely off of our name, Black San Diego: Empowering Our Community. We have experienced burn out, lacked capacity to complete ideas and maintained family life as well as owning side businesses and regular 9-5’s. But, we come always come back to the community aspect of the organization. We understand that the struggles are not bigger than the overall vision and mission which keeps us pushing in the direction of sustainability.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Black San Diego took to Facebook in 2016 and created a niche of Black Professionals, business owners, event curators, community events, and resources. BSD holds quarterly networking events where representation of Black professionalism is at the forefront. We have incorporated the B6 Program which encourages folks to start, develop, and sustain their business. There is a directory of businesses on our website, ourbsd.com, where Black Business in San Diego can be effortlessly located.
In 2020 as the pandemic was in fyll effect BSD threw our first Daygo Eatz event in which we hosted food vendors in order to circulate the Black dollar. We now host Daygo Eatz once a year, during Black History Month, President’s Day weekend, and it has turned into a mini festival where food vendors, pop up vendors, resource booths, entertainment, youth STEM and activities are all present within the Black Arts and Culture District of San Diego.
What matters most to you? Why?
Building and Sustaining a thriving Black Business community matters to me the most. A community of thriving Black Businesses is the foundation of care, where we can hire our youth, and provide employment for all, barter services, create wealth, offer impactful resources, and create a future that is based in our own morals and values while backed with our own currency.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Ourbsd.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blacksandiego?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BlackSanDiego/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBThttps://www.linkedin.com/company/black-san-diego-empowering-our-community/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/black-san-diego-empowering-our-community/
