Launched in 2020, the nonprofit BlacQuity has already made a huge mark in pursuing its missions to empower Black entrepreneurs. More than 30 local businesses have received expert instruction in growing their business through the organization’s Black Equity University and through one-on-one coaching that continues beyond graduation. Countless more have benefited from being listed in their Black-Owned Business Directory.
But a select few got to grow their business while having the time of their lives at last year’s inaugural Roots & Rivers Festival. This year, they’ll have a chance to do it all again, with a festival that promises to be even more of a can’t-miss event than the first.
Attendees will walk away with fond memories of dancing the night away.
“This year, the festival is set to be exceptionally energetic, with an expanded lineup of events and activities that I think festival goers will find captivating,” said BlacQuity Executive Director Gwen Chambers.
Guiding this expanded lineup is the second annual event’s Coastal Cowboy and Cowgirl theme, which Chambers describes as “spirited Southern flair reminiscent of ‘Texas Hold ’Em’ by Beyoncé.” Scheduled for 2-8 p.m. September 14 at Oyster Factory Park, 63 Wharf Street, the event will cowboy up with live music from Deas Guyz, line dancing, a mechanical bull, craft beer from Side Hustle Brewing Company, and food trucks. A market showcase will feature a wide assortment of local Black-owned businesses, Black artisans, and Black craftspeople.
Through the Roots & Rivers Festival, BlacQuity is giving the community a chance to see Black-owned businesses in action and meet the people behind them.
“Additionally, the introduction of a larger KidZone is designed to engage more families,” Chambers said. “By weaving educational and entrepreneurial elements into this space, we aim not only to entertain but also to nurture and inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators within our community.”
And community lies at the heart of the event’s motivation. Sure, attendees will walk away with fond memories of dancing the night away, sampling delicious drinks from presenting sponsor Burnt Church Distillery, and watching the sun set from the gorgeous riverfront park. But they’ll also have experienced exactly how much entrepreneurial spirit the Lowcountry’s Black community brings to the table.
General admission tickets for the Roots and Rivers Festival are $15 online, with tickets increasing to $20 at the gate. A limited number of VIP experiences are also available for $125.
“It’s a great opportunity to continue the engagement and for folks to be able to see the fruits of our labor and the excitement of entrepreneurs who have been able to go through the program,” said BlacQuity Co-Founder and Board Member Bridgette Frazier. “It lets people see the work that we’ve done and the way we’ve been able to expand the footprint of what Black businesses are in this community.”
Scheduled for 2-8 p.m. September 14 at Oyster Factory Park, 63 Wharf Street, the event will cowboy up with live music from Deas Guyz, line dancing, a mechanical bull, craft beer from Side Hustle Brewing Company, and food trucks. A market showcase will feature a wide assortment of local Black-owned businesses, Black artisans, and Black craftspeople.
For a community often misrepresented, BlacQuity represents a chance to not only give these entrepreneurs a seat at the table, it represents a way to make the table big enough for everyone. Through the Roots & Rivers Festival, BlacQuity is giving the community a chance to see these businesses in action, meet the people behind them, and gain a better understanding of the impact they make on local business (and have a great time doing it).
“The Roots & Rivers Festival significantly advances BlacQuity’s mission by creating a platform for Black-owned businesses to showcase their products and services,” Chambers said. “It fosters economic empowerment and community cohesion, ensuring that these businesses receive the visibility and support they deserve.”
General admission tickets for the Roots and Rivers Festival are $15 online, with tickets increasing to $20 at the gate. A limited number of VIP experiences are also available for $125.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit rootsandriversfestival.com. To learn more about BlacQuity and its mission to empower Black entrepreneurs, visit blacquitysc.org.
