The achievements of Black business owners in Staffordshire was celebrated at a prestigious ceremony at Keele University, held in honour of Black History Month. 

Hosted by Dr Tolu Olarewaju from Keele Business School, the Staffordshire Black Business Network (SBBN), Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, and Keele Business School came together to recognise and celebrate the contributions of Black Business Directors and CEOs to the region and economy. 

SBBN is a support network that acts as a voice for minority Black owned businesses in the Staffordshire area. Their goal is to foster and maintain economic growth and development of the Black businesses in Staffordshire, working collaboratively with other organisations to help create a positive environment for businesses in the Staffordshire area. 

The event this week, attended by over 40 delegates from the business community as well as Newcastle-under-Lyme MP Adam Jogee, the Stoke-on-Trent South MP, Dr Allison Gardner, the Stoke-on-Trent North MP, David Williams, and the Tamworth MP, Sarah Edwards. The MPs saw Dr Olarewaju presenting his research on business resilience, as well as awards given to businesses for their outstanding achievements and contributions to regional prosperity. 

Dr Olarewaju, a Lecturer in Management at Keele Business School, said: “My research highlights how selective incivility affects entrepreneurship, and why bridging institutional voids is crucial for promoting a more inclusive environment where ethnic and non-ethnic entrepreneurs can succeed.  

“It also shows how businesses can pay attention to building resilience. Staffordshire Black Business Network is plugging institutional voids in protection and security, politics, education, finance, and formal and informal networks to promote equity and inclusion in entrepreneurship in Staffordshire.” 

Adam Jogee, MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme, added: “I was delighted to welcome traders, business owners, local stakeholders - and three of my Parliamentary colleagues - from across Staffordshire to Newcastle-under-Lyme for 2024's Staffordshire's Black Business Network Awards.  

“It was a unique opportunity to celebrate, acknowledge and support the significant contribution that 'Black Business' makes to the economy in Newcastle-under-Lyme, to North Staffordshire and to the wider county.  

“I am grateful to Keele University for hosting us, to the organisers and folks behind the Network for all they do; and to Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce for their hard work in standing up for our businesses locally and across the county. 

“As Member of Parliament for Newcastle-under-Lyme, standing up for - and alongside - our businesses will always be a priority for me.”

Image and video credit: Staffordshire Black Business Network