This event is for students that attend University Middle/High School Academy in Lathrup Village MI. Observe the opportunity for students to create and launch their very own startup business! Support young entrepreneurs hand made goods and services as they recreate Black Wall Street. Young entrepreneurs are the key to the future in our communities. Business ownership should benefit the people in the community and the community should support community businesses. Let's inspire young students to become future business leaders in our community. Let's revisit the era where black businesses thrived and created a community of millionaires. In 1921 in Tulsa, Oklahoma black freedman created wealth for the community with 35 beautiful blocks of businesses. They owned and operated hair salons, tailors, education services, movie theaters, and diners. A total of 190 businesses existed. Black Wall Street's history is very important and must be shared. The are known as the Greenwood District was created by freed slaves. A white mob jealous of black excellence burned it all to the ground and the freedman were left with no inheritance to pass down to their descendants. Generational wealth was destroyed. Learning history is important especially when black communities today struggle with obtaining and keeping black owned businesses in our communities. We have to teach young students to become business leaders which is needed to grow strong community. Entrepreneurs create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at our one-day marketplace.
We will host 25 student booths at the University Middle High School Academy's Recreation of Black Wall Street Entrepreneur Fair in the school's media center on Friday, March, 24 2023 from 2:00pm - 5:00. Parents, friends and supporters are welcome from 3-5pm.
This event is sponsored by The University Middle/High School PTA and The Moon Reading Group which helps students understand the importance of literacy and how vital financial literacy is for the future. Thanks also to the generous support of our donors and volunteers. We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation.
James and Loula Williams were a family of entrepreneurs in the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They owned a confectionery on Greenwood Avenue and the East End Garage around the corner on Acher Street. They are one of the thousands of black business owners across this country, who had their businesses destroyed because they were black freedman. Let's honor these people who made sacrifices to innovate, create jobs and serve their communities.
We are a team of passionate parents, entrepreneurs, and mentors, who want our children to be the leaders of businesses in our community. Teaching entrepreneurship and financial literacy with a practical and hands on approach.
The Acton Children’s Business Fair inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur. The largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses.
How many businesses will you accept?
We will accept up to 25 businesses
Where should I begin?
Start with our resources page. Read inspiring stories about other young entrepreneurs and play games to hone your business skills.
How do I apply? Can I apply as part of a group?
Application must be submitted online. Please submit one application for each business. Children working as a group should submit one application that includes each child’s information. No more than 3 participants per business.
What is on the application?
The application asks kids to think through some simple, but important elements of their business:
What product or service do you plan to sell?
What price will you charge for each product/service? How much will each product/service cost you?
How will you pay for your startup costs? If someone is helping you with your startup costs, how will you pay that person back?
How will you advertise/market your business before the fair?
At the end of the fair, how will you determine if your business was a success?
What if someone else has the same business idea?
Two cupcake businesses, or two lemonade businesses, we will limit it to the first two entries. In general, we will let market forces play out, though we will let later entries know if another applicant has a similar idea so the later entrant can decide what to do.
How will the fair be set up?
The fair will be a indoor event with booths. Each business will be given a booth with an 8-foot table (to share with one other business), 1-2 chairs. Tablecloths will be provided. We are not able to accommodate businesses requiring electricity.
Will electricity be available?
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide electricity to the booths.
What are the rules?
This event is designed to give young entrepreneurs the experience of selling a product or service. If a parent is found selling or promoting a child’s product or service, their child’s business will be disqualified from the competition.
Parents of younger children may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales.
Parents may help their child fill out the application, but we expect the children to do as much as possible by themselves.
How did the Acton Children’s Business Fair get started?
Jeff and Laura Sandefer and a few other families wanted to spark a sense of wonder and entrepreneurship in their children so they created the first Acton Children’s Business Fair in Austin, Texas, in 2007. That year, there were seven entrepreneurs and around 25 attendees. Now, there are over 115 entrepreneurs and 1,500 attendees at the Acton Children's Business Fair in Austin.
Our incredible sponsors
Children's Business Fair
Acton Academy
Next Great Adventure
Moon Reading Group
University High/Middle School Academy PTA
Join our mailing list
Participating booths
The Sweet Collection
Shsmne (pronounced She's mine.)
Euphoria Crochet
Sunny Daze
Contact us
Have a question for us? Contact us below and we will be in touch as soon as possible with
a reply. Thanks for your interest!
The Acton Children's Business Fair does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin and admits and gives all hosts and participants access to the same rights, privileges, programs and activities.
