Black Business Card Party Makes a “Roaring Return” to Advocate for Mentorship
On October 24th, the Black Business Card Party returned for its 8th year at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum! Hundreds of guests attended the Roaring 20s-themed night full of style, entertainment, dancing, and—of course—networking with fellow entrepreneurs. This year brought major prizes and opportunities, including SPARK awards given to Valentine White Xayarath, Theoplis Smith III, and Garry Hamilton at the end of the night.
As a partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters and co-creators Andrew Micah J. and Zach Briggs, the Black Business Card Party is a way to find more mentors for both aspiring minority entrepreneurs and children in the community who need a role model. This year, Big Brother Sam shared his story of becoming a Big to Little Brother Terrion, inspired by last year’s event. As professionals come together to make invaluable connections, the event aims to promote inclusivity and diversity while uplifting minority communities.
The 2025 Black Business Card Party brought 1920s vibrant energy, becoming an unforgettable night with card games, a buffet, a DJ, an art exhibition, door prizes, and a red carpet—but the main attraction for entrepreneurs was the opportunities for career development. Professionals gathered and built their networks through a celebration of creativity, culture, and connections.
Valentine White Xayarath, Theoplis Smith III, and Garry Hamilton won SPARK awards (Symbol of Power, Achievement, and Remarkable Kindness) for their unparalleled and incredible achievements in Fort Wayne.
Learn more about the Black Business Card Party and Big Brothers Big Sisters by visiting www.bbbsnei.org.
To find your photos from the event, check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bbbsnei
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. For 50 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that the ability to succeed and thrive in life is inherent in all children. As the nation’s largest donor and volunteer-supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ mission is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. To learn how you can positively impact a child’s life, donate or volunteer at www.BBBSNEI.org.
