At Nashville Entrepreneur Center, we celebrate the incredible journey of entrepreneurs like Carlos Partee, co-founder of Nashville Black Market and a proud member of our Twende program. Through passion, innovation, and dedication, Carlos is transforming ecosystems for Black entrepreneurs while bringing communities together through the intersections of culture and commerce.
What does Nashville Black Market do?
Carlos and his team curate regional market events, expositions, conferences, and gatherings that showcase Black entrepreneurs’ products and services. These events provide an invaluable platform for community members to experience the vibrancy of culture and commerce.
The Impact of the Twende Accelerator
Before joining Twende, Carlos was managing a rapidly growing business but knew something was missing. Twende illuminated areas of growth and opportunity, helping him focus and refine his strategies. Key takeaways included:
- The importance of patience in growth.
- Learning to lean on peers for shared experiences and insights.
- Gaining perspective by witnessing other businesses navigate similar challenges.
Incredible Growth and Milestones
Since participating in Twende, Nashville Black Market has reached impressive milestones:
- Over $1,000,000 reinvested into the community through vendor revenue.
- Hosted 70+ events with a combined attendance of 100,000+ people.
- Continuing to scale and foster meaningful community connections.
Partnerships and Awards
Carlos has made impactful connections with advisors like Josh Mundy, Em Wilder, and Sam Davidson, who have provided clarity and inspiration.
Some standout achievements include:
- Winning NEXT Award for Retail Growth and Hospitality Award in 2024.
- Starting 2025 with a powerful partnership with Bridgestone and the Nashville Predators for Black History Night on February 8th, providing vendors for the concourse and collaborating with an artist to design the Black History Month jersey for the players.
- February 8-9th Nashville Black Market is hosting their Black History Month Expo at Nashville Fairgrounds with over 70 Black Owned Businesses from around the country.
Goals for the Future
Carlos’s vision revolves around empowering communities and creating value through collaboration. His goals include:
- Fostering meaningful connections.
- Inspiring innovative ideas and providing clarity to others.
- Continuing to elevate Black entrepreneurs while strengthening community ties.
Carlos’s journey reminds us of the power of entrepreneurship to build bridges, create opportunities, and uplift communities. We’re proud to have him in our Twende program and can’t wait to see what’s next for Nashville Black Market!
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