Date: Today, Wednesday, May 3

Time: 5:00 P.M. - 6:45 P.M.

Place:

Myers University, Chester Campus

3921 Chester Avenue, Cleveland, OH

Map Link.

Well-connected cultural communities with strong social networks can accelerate entrepreneurship opportunities quickly across regions and oceans.

Black Culture International on Parade is a celebration of black cultures from across the globe. It is a multi-day festival connecting people through the art, history and culture of the African Diaspora.

International representatives will join local Ethiopia, Nigeria, Jamaica, Senegal, and the Ghana leaders to exchange stories and explore new business connections.

The August 12 festival includes a Business Conference in partnership with the Tri-C Metro Campus Theater. The meeting will host academic presentations and business discussions with organizations serving Northeast Ohio arts, culture and business.

Join us to learn how you can connect in new and different ways to international entrepreneurship opportunities.

Leader: Carl Williams, Founder and Director, Black Culture International on Parade

Visit the Midtown Wednesdays Blog for information and new opportunities. Go here.

Cleveland State University offers a Black Studies Program. Go.

Read about the Museum of African Diaspora (MoAD), the result of a City of San Francisco redevelopment mandate. The Center was designed by business, academic, and government leaders to strengthen the region's African American cultural community. Here.

The Association of College and Research Libraries links online catalogues and national Black Studies programs. Learn more here.

Read the Midtown Innovation Zone 1st Quarter Report. Go.

Join us for Midtown Mornings. Share coffee and bagels, make new connections and explore business opportunities. Join us to network with entrepreneurs building the Midtown Innovation Zone. Work on transformative initiatives. Download the PDF here.

Date: Friday, May 5

Time: 7:30-8:30 A.M.

Place: Nead Brand Partners

3635 Perkins Avenue, Suite 6a

Map Link.

Check out the Midtown Innovation Zone wiki we're building. Here.

Coming Up: Wednesday, May 10: Building Sustainable Regional Food Systems

Time: 5:00 P.M. - 6:45 P.M.

Place: Myers University, Chester Campus

Cleveland, OH 4411

Questions? Contact:

Betsey Merkel, Network Development

The Institute for Open Economic Networks (I-Open)

Cleveland Midtown Innovation Center

4415 Euclid Ave., Suite 310

Cleveland, OH 44103 USA

Tel. 216-246-2447