Black-Owned Business Excellence Symposium Convenes Entrepreneurs, Capital Leaders, and Policymakers in Seattle

BOBE 2026 event at Seattle Public Library focuses on sustainability, access, and long-term business survival for small Black-owned businesses

Jan. 28, 2026 at 11:55pm

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The 7th Annual Black-Owned Business Excellence (BOBE) Symposium will take place on January 26, 2026 at the Seattle Public Library, bringing together entrepreneurs, financial institutions, and ecosystem leaders for a full-day public gathering focused on supporting the sustainability and long-term viability of small Black-owned businesses in Washington state.

Why it matters

Small Black-owned businesses in Washington state continue to face significant challenges, including rising costs, tightened access to capital, and growing burnout among owners. The BOBE Symposium aims to address these disparities by providing practical education, policy context, and pathways to capital, contracts, and long-term business success.

The details

The 2026 BOBE Symposium, themed 'Power Moves: Beyond Boundaries — From Vision to Legacy,' will feature a morning program focused on systems, wellness, and leadership, including a keynote address by Dr. Margaret Towolawi on 'Wellness as a Business Strategy.' Afternoon panels and breakout sessions will cover topics like access to capital, digital branding, sustainable leadership, and building fundable businesses. The event will also include a Community & Business Leadership Awards Ceremony.

  • The 7th Annual BOBE Symposium will take place on January 26, 2026.
  • The event will be held at the Seattle Public Library.

The players

Black-Owned Business Excellence (BOBE)

A nonprofit organization created in 2020 in response to persistent disparities facing Black-owned businesses in Washington state.

Jenefeness Franke

MBA, Co-Founder & Executive Officer of Black-Owned Business Excellence.

Dr. Margaret Towolawi

A physician and lifestyle medicine expert who will deliver the keynote address on 'Wellness as a Business Strategy.'

Olympia Edwards, Lawrence Mwantimwa, Dei'Marlon Scisney, and Shontia Whitehead

Entrepreneurs featured on the Entrepreneur Power Panel.

Monika Mathews, Zenovia Harris, Cedric Austin, Schanice Staples, and Shaude' Moore

Ecosystem leaders featured on the Ecosystem Builders Panel.

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What they’re saying

“BOBE exists because talent alone is not enough. Small business owners need access, protection, wellness, and systems literacy if they're going to endure economic and political shifts without burning out.”

— Jenefeness Franke, MBA, Co-Founder & Executive Officer of Black-Owned Business Excellence

“This symposium is not for corporations. It's for real business owners navigating real constraints who deserve access to information, capital, and community.”

— Jenefeness Franke, MBA, Co-Founder & Executive Officer of Black-Owned Business Excellence

What’s next

The BOBE 2026 Symposium is open to the public, and registration, scholarship information, and media inquiries can be found at www.bobe-wa.org.

The takeaway

The BOBE Symposium aims to address the persistent challenges facing small Black-owned businesses in Washington state by providing practical resources, access to capital and contracts, and a supportive community to help these entrepreneurs build sustainable, long-term businesses and create generational wealth.