Braintree Hosting Forum To Discuss Helping Black Businesses

BRAINTREE, MA — In honor of Black History Month, Braintree will host a virtual forum discussing opportunities and challenges for Black business owners in town.

Town Councilor Julia Flaherty and Shellee Mendes, Braintree resident and owner of Salon Monet on Newbury Street in Boston, will host the virtual forum at 7 p.m., Feb. 25.

Councilor Flaherty will serve as moderator of the forum, which along with co-host, includes the following Braintree business owners:

• Chanel Conway-Smith, owner of Bella Sei & Bella Derma Aesthetics
• Ralph Mitchell, owner of Carthage Financial
• Kyle Martin, owner of Industry Solutions Inc.
• Lanita Cullinane, Boston Police Detective and aspiring entrepreneur.
• Monica Cost, The Core Value Company

"We want to celebrate Black History Month and provide our Braintree-based business owners of color with a forum for discussing the opportunities and challenges for business success here in Braintree," Flaherty said.

Flaherty said many business owners – like Mendes – are Braintree residents with businesses outside Braintree, and she hopes they will join the virtual forum, along with local business owners and Braintree residents of all racial-ethnic backgrounds.

Mendes is the only Black woman who owns a business on Newbury Street and started out a young, homeless woman with two children. She worked hard to achieve her dreams and said she wants to help others do the same.

Mendes said Braintree is becoming more diverse, and there are more opportunities for business development with the end of the coronavirus pandemic in sight.

“I want everyone in town who has a business or dreams about opening one to have the opportunity to get together and share ideas and information," Mendes said. "What better time to do this and to celebrate the achievements of Black business owners than during Black History month?"

To join the Zoom Meeting go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83163056469