Diversity, equity and inclusion programs have been a major news story since the Trump administration’s executive order to roll back DEI initiatives in federal agencies.
Some private businesses such as Walmart and Target have followed suit, but that doesn’t mean historically underrepresented groups have been completely locked out of the marketplace.
The U.S. Small Business Administration counts more than 11 million minority-owned small businesses nationwide. In the greater Twin Ports area, there may be more than many people think.
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“I feel our community is standing very strong with DEI initiatives and strongly believes in it,” said Kia Ronning, the creator and organizer of the Northland BIPOC Business Showcase, now in its fifth year.
Ronning spoke with Robin Washington on WPR’s “Morning Edition” about the showcase, which will be held from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9, at Clyde Iron Works in Duluth.
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Robin Washington: You started the showcase when DEI programs were widely embraced by mainstream businesses. Why did you start it and how are you dealing with the changes?
Kia Ronning: We wanted to start an event for Black History Month in 2020. At the time, I was a small business owner in Superior.
I owned a business called Keeks Creations and I was, like, “Where are the other Black businesses in the Northland? Where are the BIPOC businesses?” So I started the event just based on my own curiosity, and to bring the community together during Black History Month.
RW: You have vendors who run retail businesses as well as those who do B2B work, serving other businesses.
KR: Yes. We have folks who do cleaning services. We have folks who do bead work, folks who do coffee and espresso, original artwork, health navigation and health information. We have some super fun things too, like a 360° photo booth.
RW: How does that work?
KR: Luks Photo Booth. There’s a camera that goes 360° around you — you can fit in six or seven people — and records a little video. You can make funny poses or dance, and it’s super fun.
This year we’ll also have DJ Brinn Major from Superior. We’ll have a little bit of a drag show. We’ll also have some henna art, which is super fun, and kids from Neighborhood Youth Services in Duluth will be doing a fashion show. So we’ll have a little bit of everything for entertainment.
RW: What’s the most unusual item or service?
KR: Tired Mom Emporium. They make Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women needle felts, which are intricately done and very serious.
Then they also have jewelry and fun stuff, like vampire hunting kits and little pocket ghosts. That’s some of the most unique stuff that we’ve had at the showcase.
RW: What’s the support from sponsors been like over the years, and today?
KR: Our first year we only started with $200. This year we have about 18 sponsors and about $9,000. Some of our sponsors are the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce, the Ordean Foundation, the Entrepreneur Fund, and individuals and small businesses like Superior Waffles, Adeline Inc. and Aim Clear. We’ve never felt a lack of support from the community.
If you have an idea about something in northern Wisconsin you think we should talk about on “Morning Edition,” send it to us at northern@wpr.org.
