Diverse Business Council of West Alabama Hosts Jingle and Mingle Expo

The Diverse Business Council of The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama is hosting a Jingle and Mingle Christmas Expo. This holiday event collaborates with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® Eta Xi Omega Chapter’s Build Our Economic Wealth Initiative, City Councilman Cassius Lanier, and Tuscaloosa Builds.

This festive and free event will be open to the public on Thursday, December 7, from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Tuscaloosa River Market.

Erica Grant, Incoming Chair of the Diverse Business Council of The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, said that you will enjoy light refreshments and music, shop for unique gifts, gift wrapping station, and be able to mingle with the community.

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“This holiday event provides entrepreneurs and small business owners with an ideal opportunity to exhibit their companies and showcase their products to the local community,” said Grant.

“You Will Have a Grand Ole’ Jolly Time While Doing Business”

The first-ever Jingle and Mingle Expo is special to Grant as she is an entrepreneur. She said that the businesses that will be featured at the event will not pay a vendor fee.

Jingle & Mingle involves Tuscaloosa Builds managed by the City of Tuscaloosa. “It is a proactive business development program that advocates for and provides resources to minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged-owned businesses,” said Caramyl C. Drake, Community Development Program Manager.

Tuscaloosa Builds ensures equitable access to diverse business owners throughout West Alabama to contractual, consulting, and purchasing opportunities.

Born and raised in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Grant feels that “it is important to recognize that small and start-up business owners are the backbone of our communities and local economies.”

Supporting small businesses at the Jingle and Mingle Christmas Expo aims to create a long-lasting effect on the entrepreneurs driving these endeavors, resulting in a dynamic and diverse business environment.

Drake said that “community support means to these businesses an increase in exposure, increased sales, and the encouragement to keep going and possibly expand services or offer additional products or services. Tuscaloosa Builds is designed to give a leg up to the “little guy,” in this instance, a small, diverse business.”