CTC x BECO Black Business Expo: A Packed House at the Top of the City
From the 76th floor of the Columbia Tower Club, the view stretched across Seattle—but the real focus was inside the room. Once again, we had a packed house gathered at the very top of the city for the CTC x BECO Black Business Expo in honor of Black History Month.
The evening opened with a powerful reminder: from this height, we can see the skyline, but what truly matters is the future we are building within it. Thanks to our partners at BECO and our key sponsor, Banner Bank, the space was filled with entrepreneurs, investors, creatives, professionals, and community leaders ready to engage in meaningful conversation about ownership, access, wellness, and legacy.
Before the panel began, attendees connected with an outstanding lineup of vendors including Queen Care Products, Debrena Gandy’s 2026 Black Business Cohort, Estelita’s Library, Healthy Smart Homes, Wings That Soar, Dana Frank and her bestselling book Get Up and Get On It, and the Shyan Selah Foundation. The vendor experience set the tone for an evening rooted in commerce, culture, and community.
The Panel Conversation
The discussion formally began at 6:10 PM with welcome remarks from Melissa Reaves of the Columbia Tower Club Business Alliance Committee, followed by a dynamic conversation moderated by BECO Program Director and the Executive Vice President of Brave New World Enterprises, Candice Richardson.
Evan Poncelet of Venture Black addressed the stark reality that less than half of one percent of venture capital funding reaches Black founders. He spoke candidly about the work being done to expand investment access and the structural challenges that still stand in the way. His insights into preparing for fundraising and strengthening the “Mind Movie” pitch resonated deeply with entrepreneurs in the room.
Dana Frank, national bestselling author and real estate leader, began with a moving and poignant story about how her father, a drummer attracted to Seattle’s vibrant jazz scene, arrived in the city working odd jobs in order to save up to buy his first home. She provided clarity on today’s housing market and shared practical guidance on navigating ownership in uncertain economic times, reinforced the principle that equity grows while cash erodes. Her perspective on long-term ownership as a wealth-building tool grounded the conversation in tangible opportunity.
Shyan Selah provided an injection of energy giving offering a rousing speech about the need for entrepreneurs to believe in themselves despite the challenges of not only haters, but those in the inner circle who doubt another’s dreams and goals. He challenged founders to move beyond chasing algorithms and instead build brands rooted in authenticity and trust and emphasized storytelling as a strategic advantage in balancing visibility with longevity in a crowded marketplace.
Dr. Michelle Terry brought the conversation inward, offering practical tools for maintaining mental and physical resilience during turbulent times. From calming the nervous system using breathing exercises she demonstrated with the room to prioritizing restorative sleep, she reminded the audience that sustainable success requires personal well-being.
Closing the Evening
As the panel concluded and networking resumed, the energy in the room remained strong. Entrepreneurs exchanged contact information, vendors connected with new customers, and conversations about funding, homeownership, brand building, and health continued well past the formal program.
Once again, the Columbia Tower Club was filled to capacity with people committed to shaping the next chapter of Black excellence in Seattle.
The skyline may have framed the evening—but the real elevation came from the ideas, the collaboration, and the shared commitment to building something lasting.
