Inspirational Award
Recognizing exceptional motivation, perseverance, positive influence, and impact on others.
Vote Now5th Annual Black Entrepreneur Gala of North Carolina
Celebrating Black entrepreneurship, achievement, connection, and excellence across North Carolina.
Celebrating Black Entrepreneurship in North Carolina
The Black Entrepreneur Gala of North Carolina brings entrepreneurs, professionals, community leaders, creatives, and supporters together for an evening centered on recognition, connection, and Black excellence across North Carolina.
The Gala celebrates achievement while creating meaningful opportunities for connection, visibility, networking, vendor participation, sponsor engagement, and experiences that highlight North Carolina's Black entrepreneurial and community ecosystem.
5th Annual
Continuing a growing tradition of recognition, connection, and Black excellence.
Expansion
Rooted in the entrepreneurs and communities shaping Eastern North Carolina and beyond.
Awards & Recognition
Celebrating Excellence Across North Carolina
The Gala recognizes individuals, businesses, organizations, and leaders whose work reflects entrepreneurship, achievement, impact, inspiration, creativity, longevity, and broader Black excellence across North Carolina.
Cast Your Vote
Browse the award categories below to understand each recognition, then use the official ballot to cast your vote.
Vote NowRecognition Beyond the Stage
Finalists and winners receive continued Gala recognition.
Final nominees will be recognized within their award-category features in the Black Entrepreneur Gala NC Magazine. Award winners will receive a dedicated winner feature after the Gala.
Business of the Year
Recognizing a company demonstrating exceptional performance, innovation, and positive industry and community impact.
Vote NowCommunity Impact Award
Recognizing meaningful community impact through service, leadership, innovation, and other positive contributions.
Vote NowBlack Society Achievers Award
Celebrating achievement, excellence, and impact across fields, with a focus on the African American community.
Vote NowLifetime Achievement Award
Recognizing sustained excellence, innovation, leadership, giving back, and lasting contributions to field and community.
Vote NowEntrepreneur of the Year
Honoring business leaders who demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit, courage, ingenuity, and meaningful business impact.
Vote NowEntertainer of the Year
Recognizing outstanding talent, professionalism, audience impact, and achievement in the entertainment field.
Vote NowPeople’s Choice Award
Recognizing work and influence that earn exceptional community support, with the recipient selected by public voting from approved finalists.
Vote NowNominee note: Gala admission is purchased separately and is not included with nomination or finalist status.
Tickets
Choose Your Gala Experience
Compare Gala ticket options below. Early-bird pricing is available for a limited time.
General Admission
$85
Full event access, dinner included, and networking opportunities.
Save $15 vs. regular General Admission.
Regular
$100
Full event access, dinner included, and networking opportunities.
Regular pricing follows the early-bird period.
VIP
$160
All General Admission benefits, early admission, a VIP gift bag, and additional VIP experiences.
Save $15 vs. regular VIP.
Individual
$175
All General Admission benefits, early admission, a VIP gift bag, and additional VIP experiences.
Regular VIP pricing follows the early-bird period.
8 Seats Together
$1,200
Eight VIP seats together, early admission, VIP gift bags, and the full VIP experience for your group.
Save $200 vs. 8 individual VIP tickets ($25 savings per person).
Vendors
Bring Your Business to the Gala
Connect your brand with a Gala audience expected to exceed 200 attendees, including business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals, community leaders, creatives, and supporters from across North Carolina. Vendors will be prominently featured just outside the Gala ballroom, with designated opportunities for attendee interaction throughout the event.
Vendor Fee: $125 • Gala admission is separate.
Engage attendees, introduce your products or services, build new connections, and position your business within a Gala experience centered on Black entrepreneurship, recognition, and community.
- One 6-foot vendor table
- Up to two chairs
- Electricity available upon request
- Space to showcase your products, services, information, or resources
- Featured in the Vendor Marketplace in the 2027 Black Entrepreneur Gala Digital Magazine
Complete the official vendor application. If approved, you will be contacted by email with your approval details, invoice and payment instructions, and the next steps to complete your vendor registration.
Vendor & Event Partner Showcase
Celebrating businesses and creatives that have participated in the Black Entrepreneur Gala.
Al Suggs Grilling
J. Roze Collection
Occasion Oasis
Infinite Moments Photography
Sweet to the Soul
Resilient Scents
The Mo’Vybe Show
Miss Mia Photography
Kats Catering
Dee Boy 12 Productions
Press Play Mind Gym
Al Suggs Grilling
J. Roze Collection
Occasion Oasis
Infinite Moments Photography
Sweet to the Soul
Resilient Scents
The Mo’Vybe Show
Miss Mia Photography
Kats Catering
Dee Boy 12 Productions
Press Play Mind Gym
Sponsorship
Partner With the Gala
Support a statewide celebration of Black entrepreneurship, achievement, connection, and excellence while placing your organization in front of attendees, entrepreneurs, professionals, community leaders, creatives, and supporters from across North Carolina.
Extend your visibility beyond Gala night. Qualifying sponsor placements continue through the Black Entrepreneur Gala NC Magazine and Gala channels, creating additional opportunities for your support and/or brand to be seen long after the Gala ends.
$600
Turn visibility into traffic while pairing your brand with a premium Gala experience.
- Drive visitors directly to your business from your linked Gala website logo
- Tell more of your story with a quarter-page Gala Magazine advertisement
- Get your own sponsor spotlight through Gala social media
- Stay easy to find in the Gala Magazine with an included linked Digital Vendor Marketplace listing
- Experience the Gala as a VIP with 2 VIP tickets + gift bags
- Premium sponsor seating
$1,200
Build a bigger brand presence across the Gala experience with premium advertising, VIP access, and an additional attendee touchpoint.
- Drive direct traffic from your linked Gala website logo
- Own more visual real estate with a half-page Gala Magazine ad
- Receive dedicated brand attention through a sponsor social spotlight
- Stay easy to find in the Gala Magazine with an included linked Digital Vendor Marketplace listing
- 4 VIP tickets + 4 VIP gift bags
- Premium sponsor seating
- Reach VIP attendees directly with one approved gift-bag promotional item or advertisement
$2,500
Put your brand beside one of the Gala's highest-recognition moments and create a premium presence that carries from promotion to the stage.
Own an Award Moment8 VIP TicketsPremium Magazine PresenceDedicated Sponsor Table
- Associate your brand with one exclusive award category
- Stand apart across Gala promotion with premium sponsor designation
- Extend your visibility beyond Gala night through a full-page Gala Magazine feature
- Stay easy to find in the Gala Magazine with an included linked Digital Vendor Marketplace listing
- Be recognized in the room through premium on-screen and verbal placement
- Take part in the award experience with the option to present your sponsored award
- 8 VIP tickets + 8 VIP gift bags
- Dedicated premium sponsor table for 8
- Reach VIP attendees directly with one approved gift-bag promotional item or advertisement
Additional Opportunities
More Ways to Support & Stay Visible
Choose a support option that fits your goals, whether or not you plan to attend the Gala.
$50
For businesses that want a simple, affordable way to be discovered through the Gala Magazine Digital Vendor Marketplace.
- Business name listed in the Gala Magazine Digital Vendor Marketplace
- One clickable website or shop link with the listing
- No logo placement and no on-site vendor space
* Gala admission is not included.
$75
Place one approved promotional item or advertisement directly into the Gala VIP gift bags.
- Direct VIP attendee touchpoint
- Placement is curated and subject to approval
* Gala admission is not included.
$100
A recognition option for individuals, businesses, and organizations that want to publicly stand behind the Gala rather than purchase an advertising placement.
- Community Supporter recognition in the Gala Magazine (name only · no hyperlink)
- Grouped Community Supporter Recognition Graphic / Post
* Gala admission is not included.
$250
For businesses and organizations that want their logo recognized as an official Gala sponsor, plus a clickable way for magazine readers to visit their business.
- Grouped Bronze Sponsor logo listing in the Gala Magazine
- Grouped Bronze Sponsor recognition graphic / post
- Linked business-name listing in the Gala Magazine Digital Vendor Marketplace
* Gala admission is not included.
Event Details
Plan for the Gala
Find the practical details you need for your Gala visit, including parking, accessibility, accommodations, travel resources, and venue information.
Know Before You Go