Young entrepreneurs shine at Juneteenth expo in Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) -- At just 18 years old, Makeda Toomer is already making her mark as a young entrepreneur with her business, The Lace Dragun.

Toomer is one of the many teen business owners showcasing their ventures at the Juneteenth Central Brooklyn Festival Teen Entrepreneur Expo in front of the Brooklyn Public Library.

"This event is important to me 'cause it's also highlighting black-owned businesses and especially black teen businesses like myself," Toomer said. "Personally for me, I feel Juneteenth is very important. It was taking too long and we finally have like a day to really just highlight the importance of our independence," she added.

Toomer's business focuses on wig installations and natural hair products, an area she saw a need for. But for Toomer, participating in the Juneteenth expo is about more than just promoting her business. It's a celebration of Black freedom and economic empowerment.

"Juneteenth, you know, as we know, is when black folks really got liberated. And entrepreneurship for us is a form of liberation," said Dr. Jamila Davis, program director of Partners Uplifting Our Daughters and Sons and one of the event organizers. "It gives teens their power, power to earn money, power to be great, power to break the generational bonds of poverty," Davis added.

The expo, made possible through an initiative by Mayor Eric Adams and city councilors, provides funding for the young entrepreneurs to start their own businesses.

For Toomer, the Juneteenth expo is just the beginning. With her unique products, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to celebrating Black freedom, the future looks bright for this young business owner.

"I'm determined I can bring something to the table that you have never seen," Toomer stated confidently.