Building Wealth, Building Justice: SDARJ & the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce Host a National Black Business Month Joint Mixer
At SDARJ, we have always believed that economic justice is inseparable from racial justice. The right to build wealth — to own a business, grow it, pass it on, and participate fully in the economy — is not a luxury. It is a civil right. And for too long, that right has been systematically denied to Black Americans.
The numbers tell a sobering story. Black households hold 77% less wealth than white households, with a median net worth of $44,100 compared to $284,310 for white households. Black-owned businesses represent only 2.7% of employer businesses in the United States — despite Black Americans making up 14.4% of the population. And when Black entrepreneurs do seek financing, they receive it at half the rate of their white counterparts.
Closing that gap requires more than policy — it requires community. It requires connection, mentorship, visibility, and the kind of relationships that are only built face to face.
That is exactly why we are joining forces with the Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce (DEBCC) this August.
Our Partners: The Delaware Black Chamber of Commerce
Founded to support the initiatives of Black business owners across the First State, the DEBCC is the fastest-growing chamber of commerce in Delaware. From Wilmington to Dover to the shores of Rehoboth Beach, the DEBCC provides Black entrepreneurs with access to capital, mentorship, business education, and a powerful network of peers and advocates.
Their mission aligns directly with ours: to create economic opportunity, advance equity, and ensure that Black-owned businesses have the visibility and support they need to thrive — not just survive.
August: National Black Business Month
August is National Black Business Month, established in 2004 to recognize the historic and ongoing contributions of Black entrepreneurs to the American economy. The roots of this observance run deep — from the thriving Black business districts of the post-Civil War era, to the destruction of communities like Tulsa’s Greenwood District by racial violence and redlining, to the resilience and reinvention that has defined Black entrepreneurship ever since.
Today, more than 200,000 Black-owned employer businesses generate $249 billion in annual revenue and sustain over 1.8 million jobs. There is no more fitting time to come together, celebrate that legacy, and invest in its future.
JOIN US: NATIONAL BLACK BUSINESS MONTH JOINT MIXER
This August, SDARJ and the DEBCC invite you to an evening of networking, conversation, and community at our National Black Business Month Joint Mixer — a gathering of Black business owners, advocates, allies, and supporters from across Sussex County and Southern Delaware.
If you own a Black business in Sussex County, this room was built for you. If you support, fund, mentor, or champion Black entrepreneurs, this room needs you. Come and be part of the connection.
Whether you are a seasoned business owner, someone with an idea and a dream, or simply someone who believes that supporting Black business is a form of social justice activism — this mixer is your place. Come ready to meet new people, share your story, and leave with relationships that could change everything.
DATE
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Event Page
TIME
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Register
LOCATION
Thompson Island Grill
Map & Directions
Space is limited — reserve your spot today.
Economic justice is racial justice. See you on August 25.
“Ending racism and its corrosive consequences.”
