Inaugural ‘Shades of Progress’ conference emphasizes state’s changing demographics, BIPOC entrepreneurship

‘We need to begin to change the narrative that we’re not a diverse state,’ Anthony Poore told a gathering of business leaders at the inaugural Shades of Progress Conference on May 22

The “Business Growth Blueprint: Empowering Entrepreneurs” panel discussion at the inaugural Shades of Progress conference on May 22 featured panelists (from left) Joanna Kelley, Rachel Ballatori Bellman, Anena Hansen and Jose Abreu. (Photo by Ernesto Burden)

“We need to begin to change the narrative that we’re not a diverse state,” Anthony Poore told a gathering of business leaders at the inaugural Shades of Progress Conference on May 22. Poore, president and CEO at the New Hampshire Center for Justice & Equity, delivered a keynote address that underscored New Hampshire’s changing demographics, emphasizing its burgeoning statewide diversity and the unique challenges faced by diverse populations.

The event was hosted by the Business Alliance for People of Color (BAPOC), which was founded in 2021 to support and advocate for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned small businesses.

Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs, opened the event, followed by a panel discussion featuring BIPOC business owners and an extended Q&A session with an audience of more than 160 attendees. The conference then broke into workshops covering topics including emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, working with financial institutions and starting a business.

Many of the discussions, such as the session covering business growth for entrepreneurs, would have felt familiar at any small business conference. Panelist Joanna Kelley, who owns Cup of Joe Coffee Bar in Portsmouth, spoke frankly about the burnout, isolation and loneliness of entrepreneurship. But then went on to discuss how racism adds to those challenges. Cup of Joe was among one of more than a dozen Black-owned, LGBTQ+ allies or Jewish institutions tagged with swastikas in February 2023.

Another panelist, executive women’s coach Anena Hansen, described the discussion as business, but from a personal perspective, including experiences of fear and trauma. “It’s everybody bringing our full selves to it,” she said.

In the audience, Ali Sekou, the first Black member of Concord’s city council, commented: “I have to say, I love the honesty.”

Latonya Wallace, one of the founders of BAPOC and its new chair, said in her closing remarks, “We are celebrating diversity, innovation and the collective pursuit of progress. We are here together from different backgrounds, industries and perspectives. This convergence of minds and hearts is a testament to our collective commitment to shaping a better world.”

She emphasized again the point Poore made in his keynote, detailing: “With the latest census data telling us that the NH’s BIPOC community increased from 2% to nearly 10% … this, my friends, is why this work and conversations like we had today and moments like this right now need to continue, because the demographics of our state are changing and the work won’t stop.”

Asked whether plans were already in the works for next year’s conference, Wallace replied, “As we are still celebrating the success of our first conference, we’d like to remain in that moment for a while longer. But we would encourage people to learn more about our work at The Business Alliance, learn more about our vision, join as members, and support us during our pop-ups. We are much more than a conference; we are an organization making an impact every day.”

Learn more about BAPOC’s mission and programs at bapoc.org.