Harrisburg businesses weigh $15 minimum wage amid statewide, national proposals

March 2, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens and Lawrance Binda

Elementary Coffee Co. in Harrisburg pays its employees above minimum wage.

Andrea Grove is no stranger to working for minimum wage.

But when she started Elementary Coffee Co., she wanted things to be different for her employees. She wanted their wages to reflect the value of their work.

So, she took a risk and began paying far above minimum wage.

In a way, you could say that Grove was a trend-setter locally, since the conversation recently has turned to the inadequacy of the statewide and national minimum wages and the efforts to boost both.

Gov. Tom Wolf proposed a $12/hour minimum wage with an annual 50 cent increase until the state’s minimum wage is at $15/hour. On the national level, President Joe Biden has proposed a federal $15/hour pay floor. The current minimum wage in the commonwealth and nationally is $7.25 an hour, both set in 2009.

Several Harrisburg small businesses said that increasing wages is a very complicated decision. Grove said that her choice to pay employees above minimum wage has come with sacrifices.

“Valuing people’s work is one of the first goals of our company,” she said. “But as a company, we often move slower because a lot of our resources are poured back into the team.”

From the beginning, Grove paid employees around $9/hour and since then has increased to the current pay of $12.75 for starting positions and over $14 for manager positions. Manager positions include over half of her staff and all employees can, on average, make up to $17 or $18/hour with tips, she said.

Grove said that she pays herself less than many of her employees.

“I want to be able to offer $20/hour, but there are still restrictions of what we can do,” she said.

Likewise, Dusty James, co-owner of Harrisburg-based Radish & Rye Food Hub, said that they always strive to pay their staff as much as they can. But, he said, there are limits to what a small, specialty grocer can afford, especially as so much of their work is done by hand, in contrast to large companies with more standardization and automation.

“We’re working in a system under which larger, more automated businesses will have an even bigger competitive advantage over smaller, more labor-intensive businesses,” he said.

Some workers, he added, see other advantages to working for a small, locally owned business, such as a welcoming, family-oriented work environment.

“There are people who prefer to work for a small business and then don’t feel like a cog in a wheel,” he said. “That’s worth the tradeoff for them.”

Locally, UPMC Pinnacle is one of the area’s largest employers, and, in fact, they just announced a minimum starting salary of $15/hour. This includes employees at UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg, as well as many of their other sites on the West Shore, Carlisle, Lititz and Hanover.

According to UPMC Pinnacle, they have 92,000 employees across their facilities, making them the largest non-government employer in Pennsylvania and the first healthcare employer in the state to commit to a $15/hour minimum wage by 2021.

“We review the market each year to ensure that our salary ranges are competitive, and we are committed to rewarding our strong-performing employees with merit increases on an annual basis,” said Philip Guarneschelli, president of UPMC Pinnacle, in a statement.

With benefits, UPMC employees making $15/hour can earn the equivalent of $24.97/hour, according to the health care company.

At an annual Legislator’s Forum in January hosted by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, local PA General Assembly members discussed the effects of a minimum wage increase.

Rep. Patty Kim (D-103) has been an advocate of raising the pay floor for years. In fact, in 2019 she met with Grove at the Broad Street Market to discuss their initiative in paying above minimum wage.

At the forum, she plugged her bill that would raise the minimum wage in the state by 50 cents each year until reaching $15/hour, similar to Wolf’s proposal.

But some Republican members of the General Assembly weren’t convinced by her argument, saying it would be too hard on small businesses and that social services wouldn’t be able to keep up with the change.

As a small business owner, Grove understands the hesitation.

“I’ve never met an employer who doesn’t want to pay their workers well,” she said. “It’s just hard. Everything costs a lot.”

According to the Associated Press, a federal minimum wage hike now seems unlikely to pass as part of Biden’s COVID-19 relief bill. Similarly, Wolf’s minimum wage proposal has not passed.

For her part, Grove said that she supports an incremental increase to the minimum wage, but that she may have to raise the prices of her products in order to make it work.

“It’s necessary [to raise minimum wage], but it’s going to be extremely hurtful, including for us,” Grove said.

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Major 7th Street, 2nd Street road projects to begin soon in Harrisburg

March 2, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda

A rendering of the 7th Street project shows a planned roundabout at Reily Street.

Two major road construction projects, with big changes for motorists and pedestrians, are set to commence soon in Harrisburg.

Starting next week, the city will begin its long-planned changes to N. 7^th Street, which include the installation of a roundabout.

According to the city, the “7^th Street Reconstruction Project” will begin with improvements to drainage, lighting and pedestrian crosswalks from Boas to Reily streets.

Eventually, the project will include construction of a roundabout at the intersection of N. 7^th and Reily streets, which the city believes is needed to serve increased auto and pedestrian traffic due to the new federal courthouse, now under construction in the area.

Then, in late April, the city expects to begin its two-way 2^nd Street project, which will return that road to two-way traffic between Forster and Division streets.

The project will begin at Forster and 2^nd streets with new sidewalk ramps and stormwater inlets and progress northward, according to the city. The project includes improvements to sidewalks, curbs and stormwater drains.

The city stated that it plans to pave the road and change the traffic pattern from one-way to two-way traffic at the completion of the project in late 2022.

Historically, N. 2^nd Street was a two-way road until the 1950s, when the city made it one-way northbound—and changed Front Street to one-way southbound—to better accommodate commuters.

The city considers both of these road projects to be part of its “Vision Zero” initiative for eliminating traffic fatalities in Harrisburg.

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Mangia Qui restaurateur a top contender in national “Favorite Chef” contest

March 1, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Qui Qui Musarra outside her restaurants on North Street in Harrisburg.

Qui Qui Musarra sat across from me in her restaurant, Rubicon, on Monday afternoon and told me how the pandemic has set the business back by 10 years.

The pandemic has been hard on the owner of the Harrisburg restaurant trio—Mangia Qui, Rubicon and Suba, as it has been on most small businesses.

But Musarra pushes forward, crafting her authentic continental cuisine for hungry customers. She hopes that may be enough to get some much-needed relief for her businesses, as well as the community.

Musarra has her sights set on becoming the “Favorite Chef” in a competition hosted by celebrity Chef Eddie Matney. As of now, she’s ranking as one of the top competitors.

Entrants from around the world rely on social media votes to carry them to the top. After a series of voting rounds, the winner will be decided in early April. That chef will receive $50,000 and a sponsored spread in the national Bon Appetite Magazine.

The exposure is what excites Musarra the most.

“It would be so cool for Harrisburg,” she said. “It would be a win-win for our community.”

Musarra said the money would go straight back into the business so she can continue to feed the community.

“It’s supporting me to help support the larger community,” she said.

Voters can cast additional votes by donating, as a portion of the profits from the contest will go to Feeding America—a national organization that combats food insecurity. Each dollar counts as one vote.

“You’re voting for me, but it’s also going to a good cause,” Musarra said. “It’ll be a great thing for Feeding America.”

She said she appreciates the community support and all of the votes thus far. Staying afloat during the pandemic has been hard, but she’s just happy to still be standing. Musarra said winning the contest would be a huge accomplishment for her.

“This would be the greatest honor in my life,” she said.

Vote for Qui Qui Musarra on her profile page. For more information on the Favorite Chef contest, visit their website.

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Harrisburg Academy and alumnus provide free van for Steelton mother of five

March 1, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Jessica and her five children receive a free van from Harrisburg Academy and Wheels from the Heart.

This weekend, Harrisburg Academy helped a Steelton family accelerate towards success.

Steve Muschlitz (Class of ’82) and his nonprofit, Wheels from the Heart, joined with the school to provide a free van to a single mother of five, Jessica, on Saturday.

“Owning a car is often the first step to financial independence for single mothers and their families,” Muschlitz, owner of Country Club Auto in Delray Beach, Florida, said in a statement. “These vehicles give them an opportunity for career advancement and better-paying positions to drive their lives to success.”

Jessica’s children range in age from 4 to 12. According to a spokesperson for the school, Jessica has struggled to provide for her family during the pandemic and needed a vehicle to secure a better job opportunity.

Harrisburg Academy also partnered with Muschlitz to provide the family with free summer school enrollment at the Academy, gas gift cards, several free auto maintenance services from local businesses and gift cards to neighborhood grocery stores and restaurants.

Each of the five children also received a goodie bag donated by Academy students and their families, along with food boxes from Midwest Food Bank. PennDOT District 8 and its grant office, Southcentral PA Highway Safety, provided car seats.

Harrisburg Academy middle and upper school students held a “Denim Day” where students paid $1 to dress casually to raise money for the gift cards. The Parent Association also contributed to the fundraising efforts. Sam Kinback, owner of Callen Kinback Inc. in Lemoyne, pledged a free oil change, fluid refills and a tire-rotation service. Gunn-Mowery Insurance, also in Lemoyne, helped facilitate insuring the van.

“We are extremely grateful for these generous gifts that Harrisburg Academy, Wheels from the Heart and the local community have given to our family,” Jessica said. “They will bring us joy and this van will make life a bit easier for us every day.”

To learn more about Wheels from the Heart, visit their website. For more information on Harrisburg Academy, visit their website.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

February 26, 2021 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Conley Gittens

An artist at a 3rd in the Burg exhibit at the Civic Club of Harrisburg.

Get outside, enjoy the weather and pick up a copy of the new March issue of TheBurg Magazine! This month, we feature the hard work of local nonprofits. In the meantime, don’t forget to catch up on this past week’s news, listed and linked, below.

“The Black is Beautiful Expo” will take place, for the second time, at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Harrisburg this weekend. Around 30 local Black-owned businesses will be in attendance, our online story reported.

Bob’s Art Blog spotlighted the diverse art exhibit at the Civic Club of Harrisburg for 3^rd in the Burg. The event was hosted by Reina Wooden, “R76” and featured an array of other local artists.

Christine Titih, a local author and entrepreneur, founded the Oaks of Central PA, an organization that advocates for and supports African immigrants in the area. Our magazine article tells Titih’s story, including why she recently released a book on finding faith and purpose during uncertain times.

COVID-19 hit, with the resulting lockdown and ensuing job loss, and was a perfect storm to upend those in recovery. But organizations continue the work to help those struggling, blunting the seclusion and stress. Read more in our magazine story.

The COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program (CHIRP), a grant program that offers financial help for hotels, restaurants and bars, will kick off on March 15. The program provides grants of up to $50,000 to businesses with fewer than 300 employees and a tangible net worth less than $15 million, our online story reported.

Dauphin County awarded gaming grants to over 80 local organizations this past week. Many Harrisburg organizations received money for building renovation and improvement projects. See the list of recipients in our online story.

Development projects in Midtown Harrisburg received zoning approvals on Monday night, moving them closer to construction, our reporting found. The city’s Zoning Hearing Board approved variances for an apartment building/community center and townhouses in the Capitol Heights neighborhood; an apartment building and parking garage on Reily Street; and the conversion of a dilapidated commercial structure to a small apartment building.

Our editor reflects on a year of COVID and the impact it has had on Harrisburg. He hopes TheBurg Magazine has provided an element of normalcy in very abnormal times.

HACC partnered with Dauphin County to offer its parking lot as a mass vaccination site, our reporting found. According to the county commissioners, the site will be used when more doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are available.

Sara Bozich has a list of fun activities for your weekend, just as the weather gets warmer. Check out her weekend recommendations, here.

Team Scott Inspire founders, James “Scottie” Scott and wife Rachelle, know that being an adolescent is hard, but being an adolescent who’s disadvantaged can be even harder. Five years ago, they started their nonprofit to assist these youth in need, our magazine story reported.

Todd Phillips won the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC in October. The Chamber recognized him for his business and for his dedication to mentoring youth. Our magazine article highlights Phillips and his barbershop, True Legends.

UPMC is offering the COVID-19 vaccinations to all elderly residents of Jackson Tower and Lick Tower, public housing buildings in Harrisburg. UPMC sees this as a way to assist an underserved community, our online story reported.

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Harrisburg makes progress on two parks, one ready in time for summer

February 26, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Rendering of 4th and Dauphin Park

If the warmer weather doesn’t have you ready for some outdoor fun, park improvements coming to Harrisburg might.

On Friday’s Community Conversations, Mayor Eric Papenfuse’s weekly Facebook Live event, the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation provided updates on the park construction at 4^th and Dauphin streets and the Chutes and Ladders playground planned for Reservoir Park.

The 4^th and Dauphin park project began in the fall of 2020 as the final part of a years-long parks collaboration between Harrisburg and Capital Region Water (CRW), Impact Harrisburg and the commonwealth.

Parks and Recreation Manager Kevin Sanders said that the project is about halfway done and that residents can expect to see it completed around May.

The renovated park will include a new playground, basketball court, parking lot and landscaping.

Sanders is especially excited about the court.

“It’ll be a real state-of-the-art basketball park,” he said. “I think people will be really proud and really impressed.”

CRW also hopes to use this project to reduce the flow of polluted water and wastewater into Paxton Creek and the Susquehanna River.

Stormwater management improvements include rain gardens, restored vegetation, drainage structures, catch basins and storm sewer pipes, according to CRW.

The parks department also updated the public on another project that has been in the works for some time—the Chutes and Ladders playground.

The $1 million project is part of the city’s 2017 Reservoir Park Master Plan that aims to increase foot traffic in the sprawling park in Allison Hill.

The plan for the playground is modeled after the Chutes and Ladders board game and will allow visitors to engage in a life-sized version.

“It’s a really interesting kind of playground, said Deborah Reihart, parks and recreation project manager. “It’s one of probably a few where you can go and play a game while you’re climbing on the equipment.”

She estimated that they will finish the project late in the fall of 2021 or spring of 2022.

They are currently conducting a survey to get feedback from families on what they hope to see at the park.

“We are trying to get information so the playground best meets the needs of the community,” Reihart said.

To take the Chutes and Ladders Playground Design survey, visit the city’s website.

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Nonprofit Focus: Harristown Development & Sprocket Mural Works

February 26, 2021 | by Admin

Harristown Enterprises Inc.

Why do you feel it’s important for your business to support our area’s nonprofits?

Area nonprofits provide a backbone of support for so many great causes and projects in our community! When making decisions about nonprofit support, we try to always look specifically at those nonprofits that are addressing issues here in the city of Harrisburg.

There are numerous things that our organization does to better our city; there are many other things that we are not in a position to handle. For those critical needs, our community nonprofits are essential. We are truly grateful to the organizations in our community which support those who are in need and who are underserved. We also realize that beautification of our city is equally vital and deserving of encouragement and financial support.

Why do you support this particular nonprofit and what does your business do to benefit the organization?

Harristown’s mission is all about making the downtown better, more exciting, and more vibrant. Sprocket Mural Works has been a tremendous partner with us in making the city and the downtown more beautiful and interesting with so many fantastic murals—their work meshes nicely with our redevelopment mission here in the downtown. We know how excited our customers, visitors, tenants, etc., get when they see the many murals downtown that make their day brighter and more hopeful and add a tremendously interesting aspect to the fabric of the city. In fact, we know that the city’s “mural trail” has become a regular destination for visitors to Harrisburg now that a critical mass of murals has been located throughout the city!

We look forward to continuing our partnership with Sprocket as they spread their art jewels into more city neighborhoods, expanding the beauty, the vibrancy and the excitement. While we certainly wish to increase the number of murals in the central business district, we will—at some point—run out of available walls.We know that there are other very deserving walls and neighborhoods which will come alive with the talents of Sprocket’s local artists, as well as benefit from their connections with the national artist scene.

SPROCKET MURAL WORKS

Describe your organization and the importance of corporate support to further your mission.

Sprocket Mural Works is a small, volunteer-run organization. We create public art to uplift, inspire and promote wellbeing in our communities. Since forming in 2014, Sprocket has produced over 60 large-scale works of public art in Central PA. Over 45 murals are located in Harrisburg, creating the HBG Mural Trail. Sprocket’s mission has been the same from day one: create vibrant murals that celebrate Harrisburg’s culture and its people. We believe public art serves as a catalyst for increasing civic pride and uplifting those who experience the murals daily.

Corporate support has been vital to our organization’s success. Sponsorships, grants and donations of all sizes underwrite festival budgets, including artist stipends, travel and supplies—paint, canvas, paintbrushes, insurance and lift rentals.

When a business supports local nonprofits, the community thrives, and from this, individuals and businesses benefit. It takes a forward-thinking mindset and exceptional leadership to recognize and act on this.

We are proud to be partnered with businesses who understand that caring for people, spaces, and culture right here in our community is accomplished by supporting local nonprofits.

For 2021, what is your greatest need?

COVID-19 has not slowed our ambitions for adding more public art to Harrisburg. We are currently planning the 2021 Mural Festival, and we are dreaming big! Here is a sampling of projects:

Mulberry St. Bridge: The Mulberry Street Bridge is a monumental project that would have a significant impact on our community. We hope to raise funds to reinvigorate this space, engage the community and create a landmark mural.

Allison Hill: Together with local organizations and neighborhood residents, Sprocket plans to create public art in South Allison Hill to promote a safe, thriving, and unified community.

One of the locations we have scouted for a mural is Recycle Bicycle, a well-known organization doing valuable work in the city. We are currently looking for sponsors to support this mural project and others in this neighborhood.

Celebrating Black Lives: Sprocket Mural Works strives to empower artists from various backgrounds to create art that represents the cultures, the people, and the spirit of our neighborhoods.

We hope to partner with local, Black-led organizations in our community to collaborate on themes, location and artist selection for a mural.

Our goal is that this project will be more than a mural. We hope the art will increase dialog, promote systemic change, uplift and celebrate Black lives.

Sprocket is currently seeking financial support towards making these projects and many more possible. Corporate sponsorships are available and individuals may support us directly through our website.

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Harrisburg native writes children’s book with a focus on representation for Black families

February 26, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

Front cover of “The Ship and the Jungle”

It became a recurring theme for Dr. Darius Walker’s two kids to ask for a bedtime story. He would easily give in, taking his family into worlds with pirates, heroes and adventures through the narratives he told.

Walker soon decided that he might as well share these stories with other families. He started recording the nighttime tales he told his children and, eventually, translated them into a book, “The Ship and the Jungle.”

“I didn’t see a lot of positive books of Black Americans,” he said. “That inspired me to create something that my children can see themselves in.”

Walker grew up in Harrisburg’s Allison Hill neighborhood before moving to Susquehanna Township, where he lived until he moved to Atlanta for college. From there, he went on to attend the University of Colorado and receive his doctorate degree in biophysics and genetics. Walker eventually moved back to Harrisburg, where he met his wife, Dr. Amy.

The Walkers now live in Qatar in the Middle East, where he works as the director of innovation and commercialization at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, a branch of Cornell University.

He’s a science guy, but he said that his children were the reason he considered becoming an author.

Dr. Darius Walker

Walker, his wife and their two children, Kherrington and Toussaint, are the main characters of “The Ship and the Jungle.” The story follows the family on an accidental trip to a mystical island, where they must undergo challenges in order to return home.

Walker said that he wanted to highlight a Black nuclear family, positive imagery he believes is lacking in mainstream culture. The book also touches on themes of teamwork, anti-bullying and overcoming obstacles, he said.

Since publishing the book, Walker was able to partner with local friends to distribute some of them to children in Harrisburg. Even adults and teenagers have read the book, he said.

“It’s been really rewarding receiving pictures and endorsements from young people and adults,” Walker said. “That’s what it’s all about, seeing that these youth are being inspired and that they can see themselves in this book.”

“The Ship and the Jungle” took four years for Walker to complete, as it was his first experience writing a book. Walker hopes to write a follow-up book to his first, in the future.

Illustrations for the book were created by Flyland Designs in State College.

“The Ship and the Jungle” is best suited for children 5 to 12 years old, Walker said, but is a good read for all ages.

“It’s a book that everyone can enjoy,” he said.

To order “The Ship and the Jungle” by Dr. Darius Walker, visit his website.

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Nonprofit Focus: LCSWMA & Capital Area Greenbelt Association

February 26, 2021 | by Admin

Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority

Why do feel it’s important for your business to support our area’s nonprofits?

LCSWMA is an organization centered on PEOPLE—those we employ and those we serve. Our PURPOSE is to protect those people, along with our beautiful environment. The way LCSWMA fulfills this purpose is something we great PRIDE in—an award-winning waste management system that minimizes landfilling, generates renewable energy, and creates opportunities to improve the places where we live, work and play.

While the core of our business is managing trash and recycling, LCSWMA also believes in supporting our community by improving the environment, health, economy and livability for the benefit of those who live, work and visit this amazing place. At the core of this perspective is our belief that, when businesses adopt a community mindset, everyone benefits. To us, thoughtfully investing into the communities where our operations are located makes good business sense, because vibrant communities yield strong local economies that, in turn, positively impact our business.

Why do you support this particular nonprofit and what does your business do to benefit the organization?

One example of this philosophy at work is through LCSWMA’s support and partnership with the Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA). Located adjacent to our Susquehanna Resource Management Complex in Harrisburg is a trailhead for the Capital Area Greenbelt. This amazing trail is one of the many assets Harrisburg has to offer. But LCSWMA also recognizes that trails and green spaces increase property values, boost local businesses, and make communities more attractive places to live.

So, doing business for good makes sense for LCSWMA, and we hope other businesses consider how they can adopt a similar mindset in support of the Harrisburg community.

Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA)

Describe your organization and the importance of corporate or foundation support to further your mission.

Our local area is just such a wonderful place. When a place is more inviting to walking and cycling, it is a better place to live, work and play—made possible locally in a great part by our natural beauty.

The Capital Area Greenbelt is a 20-mile looping trail surrounding and connecting our beautiful capital city area communities, providing local residents and visitors with opportunities to walk, hike, cycle, skate, jog, fish and walk their dogs, while enjoying flora and fauna and appreciating nature. While parts of the trail are shared with roads, most of the loop is a dedicated path. The Greenbelt, as it is commonly referred to by locals, passes along the Susquehanna River through Reservoir Park, Riverfront Park, Five Senses Gardens and Wildwood Park and Nature Center. In addition to parks, the Greenbelt passes attractions, including the grave site of John Harris Sr. (the namesake of the city of Harrisburg), the Governor’s Mansion, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, The National Civil War Museum and several more.

The Capital Area Greenbelt Association advocates, maintains and supports the Greenbelt trail, a 100% volunteer organization with over 400 members. We work in coordination with the city, four adjoining municipalities, HACC, Dauphin County and PennDOT, plus many neighborhoods.

Operational funding comes from membership dues, donations and the high-profile annual Tour de Belt family bicycle event, now in its 21st year. Attracting close to 1,000 riders, all proceeds go to support the trail. Although virtual in 2020 and 2021, it is the largest local bike event.

The Greenbelt is more than just a local trail system—it also serves as a tourist destination for people who visit the region from outside the area. Business benefits from tourism dollars spent in our stores, hotels and restaurants. Additionally, The Greenbelt is an important element in the transportation network of the capital city area.

For 2021, what is your greatest need for corporate or foundation support?

The Capital Area Greenbelt needs the support of local businesses. In the long term, Harrisburg’s businesses are investing in the economic development of our region by attracting and retaining a skilled workforce who want to live, work and play in a region with a high quality of life. From a tourism perspective, corporate support would expose businesses to the 100,000 to 300,000 people who visit the trail annually.

COVID-19 has changed our lives in many ways. One is by encouraging more outside leisure activities along and with small groups. Preserving these beautiful venues for our future generations takes ongoing efforts made possible through local companies working alongside willing nonprofit volunteers. As a top tier sponsor of Tour de Belt, Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority is a neighbor, friend and valued community asset.

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Black is Beautiful Expo to give platform to Harrisburg-area Black-owned businesses

February 26, 2021 | by Maddie Conley Gittens

A vendor at the November “Black is Beautiful Expo”

To celebrate Black History Month, one local entrepreneur is giving the Harrisburg area’s minority-owned businesses a platform to promote themselves.

For the second time, Bradley Wainwright of Urban Revolution Marketing & Branding is holding the “Black is Beautiful Expo” to assist these businesses, many of whom are struggling during COVID.

“A lot of these minority-owned businesses that typically operate on a face-to-face basis haven’t been able to,” Wainwright said. “This expo allows them to.”

On Friday and Saturday, around 30 businesses will set up at the Crown Plaza in downtown Harrisburg to network and sell their products. The event is free to the public.

Speakers include Karl Singleton of the Pennsylvania Diversity Coalition, Dr. Kimeka Campbell of Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg, Mikell Simpson of Capital Rebirth, and others.

Additionally, Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse and mayoral candidates Dave Schankweiler and Otto Banks will attend. Some candidates for other city government positions will be there, as well.

“We want to show the community they have the support of these different leaders that are running for office,” Wainwright said.

Schankweiler is also a main sponsor of the expo, along with Harrisburg-based law firm McNees, Wallace and Nurick LLC.

“We need to put new and existing business ideas on a fast track to opportunity,” Schankweiler said in a statement. “This Expo is a major step toward highlighting the successful minority-owned businesses right here in Harrisburg.”

At the expo, McNees will announce the winning businesses for its Legal Equity Advancement Program (LEAP), which offers free legal services to Black-owned businesses for a year.

Wainwright expects an even larger turnout at this expo than the first in November. Social distancing, mask-wearing and temperature checks will be enforced, he said.

“I’m excited for the increase in attendees so that these businesses can make more money,” he said. “This is all for our community.”

The “Black is Beautiful Expo” is on Feb. 26, from 6 to 9 p.m. and Feb. 27, from 5 to 8 p.m. For more information or to register, visit their website.

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