The Metropolitan Business League

06/18/2026

Find Early May This Weekend! ✨

We're bringing self-care to TWO events this weekend, and I'd love to see you there!
🖤 Friday, June 19 Juneteenth Vendor Market w/ the The Metropolitan Business League
📍 Stony Point Fashion Park
9200 Stony Point Parkway
Richmond, VA 23235
🕔 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
❤️ Saturday, June 20 Henrico County Juneteenth Celebration
📍 Dorey Park
2999 Darbytown Road
Henrico, VA 23231
🕓 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
(Look for Vendor Spot #43!)

Come celebrate and support local businesses!

✨ Remember who you are.

06/18/2026

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of our Board Member, Elsa Smith.

Elsa was a pillar of her community, dedicating her life to uplifting others and creating opportunities for those around her. Born Elsa Eloisa Eslava Del Carpio on January 15, 1951, in Chiclayo, Peru, Elsa became a driving force within Virginia’s Latino business community. She founded the Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2000, helped organize the annual Que Pasa Festival, and launched several successful small businesses of her own.

Elsa also served on the Board of the Metropolitan Business League and was instrumental in establishing our Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, an event we will proudly continue in her honor.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Elsa’s family and loved ones, and with all who had the privilege and joy of working alongside her.

--

Memorial services, flower purchases, and donation information can be found on our website.

06/15/2026

Join us this Friday, in partnership with Stony Point Fashion Park, to Celebrate Excellence!

This FREE 2-hour vendor event will spotlight small business owners — featuring both youth and adult vendors from Stony Point and surrounding areas.

Featuring: live performances, line dancing, crafts, face painting, outside games and entrepreneurs selling handmade jewelry, crochet items, apparel & more!

Come ready to shop and enjoy a fun time! 😊

06/08/2026

We're just weeks away from the end of our spring campaign and we need your help to finish strong!

What you can do to help:
💡Like, comment, & share this post to your stories
💡Share this with a friend who supports small businesses
💡Click the link to donate - anything you give helps!

Help us reach our $30k goal by June 30th!

Donate here ➡️ https://secure.givelively.org/donate/mbl-foundation-inc/launch-a-dream-turn-ideas-into-impact

06/05/2026

💫 Join us in celebrating our next Premier Business Awards finalist, Catina Downey with NES Co****le Lounge , who is nominated for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award!

🎯 Located right in the Williamsburg Premium Outlets, NES Co****le offers a completely unique entertainment and retail experience centered around the fast-growing sport of co****le. What started as an event concept has evolved into a thriving retail store, tournament venue, and bar where customers can test equipment, join leagues, and gather for social events.

🌟 As a former Army officer and a Certified Public Accountant, Catina combines rigorous structure with innovative tech to maximize operational efficiency and elevate the guest experience. Her focus on relationship-building is at the core of her business, which has allowed her to draw loyal customers from across our region and beyond.

🙌 Catina is a passionate believer in shared success. She serves on the Virginia Society of CPAs Board of Directors and dedicates countless volunteer hours to mentoring small businesses. The NES Co****le Lounge has also forged major partnerships with organizations like NASCAR, Papa Johns, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation, helping to keep Williamsburg on the sports tourism map.

Join us in congratulating Catina Downey on this incredible milestone! 👏👏

Thank you to our Premier Business Award Sponsors
Signature Sponsors - Hampton Roads Workforce Council & Virginia Works.
Gold Sponsor - Virginia Peninsula Community College
Award Sponsor - Accent On Travel

06/03/2026

06/01/2026

Congratulations to our new Member of the Month, DreShawn Hawthorne, Owner & Founder of DJ King Dre and 1st place winner of the Teens Who Mean Business Shark Tank Competition! 🎉

Read about DreShawn on our website at www.thembl.org/memberofthemonth