About this Event
Welcome to the 6th Annual Black Business Ball: Secret Garden Edition!
Get ready for a night of celebration, networking, and fun. Join us on February 28, 2026 at 5:00 PM for an unforgettable evening.
Location: TBA (we know we're just not telling yet)
Beyond the concrete and chaos of the city, there is a place where Black business blooms.
On February 28, 2026, we invite you to step through the gates of our Secret Garden for the 6th Annual Black Business Ball — an evening where vines, florals, and soft light frame a celebration of Black excellence, legacy, and limitless possibility.
This year’s Ball, “Honoring the Legends,” is a love letter to the founders, visionaries, and trailblazers who have built, sustained, and reimagined Black business in Minnesota and beyond. We’ll gather beneath a canopy of greenery and light to:
- Honor LEGENDS whose work has created pathways for generations
- Celebrate today’s builders and innovators across industries
- Elevate Future Founders and Kidpreneurs who are just beginning their journey
Guests will experience:
- A fully transformed ballroom evoking an evening garden — rich with florals, greenery, and storytelling installations
- A seated dinner and curated program highlighting Black business legends, award recipients, and Future Founder features
- Live performances, music, and creative vignettes that bring our Secret Garden to life
- Interactive installations including the Legends Wall, Floral Tribute Garden, Future Founder Showcase, and Secret Garden Portrait Experience
Whether you are a long-time supporter of BBE, a business owner, a community partner, or a first-time guest, the Black Business Ball is your invitation to step into a space where Black brilliance is centered, celebrated, and beautifully staged.
Come dressed in your best Black-Tie or culturally expressive formal attire.
Expect elegance. Expect magic. Expect a night that feels like walking into a story we are all still writing together.
Agenda
🕑: 05:00 PM
VIP ARRIVAL & RECEPTION
Info: (VIP Tables, Premier Admission, Visionaries, Trailblazers, Legends buyers) • VIP check-in opens • Champagne welcome • Access to the Secret Garden Lounge • Priority Portrait Experience • Live strings or muted jazz set • Private mingling with honorees, speakers, and partners The lights are low, the greenery glows, and the garden begins to wake.
🕑: 06:00 PM
GENERAL DOORS OPEN
Info: Standard admission check-in • Guests explore installations: • Legends Wall • Floral Tribute Garden • Stars of the Garden Wall • Future Founder Showcase • Secret Garden Portrait Studio • Ballroom seating begins • Atmospheric garden soundscape + curated DJ set
THE SECRET GARDEN CALLS
Info: Lights dim. A whimsical narration welcomes guests into the evening’s story. A dramatic garden-light transition signals the start of the program.
🕑: 07:15 PM
Opening Blessing & Acknowledgment
Info: Welcome remarks • Land acknowledgment • Ancestor acknowledgment • Honoring Black business lineage and the community that sustains us
🕑: 07:15 PM
Dinner Service
Info: Plated dinner or premium buffet service begins. Soft live musical backdrop continues.
🕑: 07:30 PM
Honoring the Legends: Part I
Info: Feature video + first round of Legend Honoree Awards. Spotlight on the individuals whose work paved the way.
🕑: 07:55 PM
Future Founder Spotlight
Info: Youth entrepreneur showcase: • One short feature video • Two youth founders introduced • Mini-pitch or storytelling moment “From roots to bloom — the next generation grows here.”
🕑: 08:10 PM
Performance + Garden Reveal Moment
Info: A live artistic performance (dance, spoken word, or music) that embodies the theme. Lighting cues transform the ballroom into the fully illuminated Secret Garden.
🕑: 08:25 PM
Honoring the Legends: Part II
Info: Second round of Legend Honoree Awards, including: • Business pioneers • Cultural leaders • Visionaries and innovators in the ecosystem
🕑: 08:45 PM
BBE Impact Moment
Info: Short but powerful: • What BBE accomplished this year • Why the work matters • Invitation to support the ecosystem
🕑: 09:00 PM
Closing Ceremony
Info: Final Legend honoree • Gratitude to partners, sponsors, members • Blessing over Black business for the year ahead.
🕑: 09:15 PM
Secret Garden Comes Alive (After-Program Celebration)
Info: DJ takes over • Dance floor opens • Secret Garden Photo Experience remains active • Networking + community connection • VIP Lounge remains open for Premier/VIP guests
Event Venue
USD 55.20 to USD 4270.13
