Muskegon’s 5th annual Black Business

Lashae Simmons II holds up Black Business Expo sign, downtown Muskegon Market, June 22, 2025.

Muskegon, Mich. (APN) — Muskegon’s fifth annual Black Business Expo was held at the downtown farmers market Sunday, June 22nd.

It's the second year the expo has been held at the downtown market.

Lashae Simmons II is the founder of Black Wall Street Muskegon and organized the expo. 

She says it’s a monumental year for it with close to 90 vendors showing up. 

“So exciting to just see how it’s grown from being 60 vendors to just continually progressing. That’s just in the space of there being more Black owned businesses in Muskegon County and the surrounding area,“ Simmons II said.

All different types of businesses filled the market.

“MockTales to children’s books right, you have food, you have clothing, we have a bounce house, ice cream trucks… anything you can think of,” Simmons II said.

The mission of Black Wall Street Muskegon is to increase exposure to black businesses so the community can work towards financial empowerment and offer their services to the world. 

“The Black dollar last in the community six hours, maybe, from the time that you get your direct deposit and wake up to go get your first coffee you’re typically shopping outside of a Black business,” Simmons II said.

“But a lot of it’s because there’s not a lot of exposure, many people don’t know these businesses exist. So it gives us the opportunity to say we’re here and you have the opportunity to support and shop with us just the same.”

Simmons II says the expo is just one day of exposure, but encourages the community to seek out and shop local Black businesses by visiting their websites.