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Cleveland Food Showcase Puts $9,000 into Black-Owned Businesses
The Cavaliers, Aramark, NAACP, and Black CoLabs produced a sold-out event that delivered prize money and arena-level exposure to local food entrepreneurs, with 45% of participants being first-time competitors.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers, Aramark Sports + Entertainment, the Cleveland NAACP, and Black CoLabs drew 1,150 attendees to Rocket Arena on July 16 for the eighth annual Taste of Black Cleveland. The event filled 96% of the 1,200-person capacity and put $9,000 in prize money directly into the hands of local Black-owned food businesses.
Winners in six categories each received $1,500. Remaining proceeds from ticket sales were split among participating restaurateurs, the Cleveland NAACP branch, and the Cavaliers Community Foundation. Organizers said the structure targets long-term wealth building, not a one-night boost.
Kevin Clayton, the Cavaliers' executive vice president and chief impact and equity officer, said the expanded voting categories reflected the growth of the city's Black-owned business community. "This event only happens because of the hard work chefs and business owners put in every day, and tonight is a chance to celebrate them and show why Cleveland is becoming a true culinary destination," Clayton said in a statement.
Danielle Sydnor and LaRese Purnell, co-founders of Black CoLabs, noted that 45% of the businesses were first-time competitors. Two first-time entrants walked away with first-place wins. "This event for us has always been about economic impact, so please support these businesses throughout the year," they said in a joint statement.