1 / 10

John Sharp | jsharp@al.com

Black Business Expo in Mobile, Ala.

Black public leaders in Alabama gathered during a forum about Black businesses on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, as part of the Port City Classic’s Black Business Expo at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Ala. Pictured from left to right: Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and Alabama State House Minority Leader Rep. Anthony Daniels of Huntsville. The forum was moderate by commentator Roland Martin.

2 / 10

John Sharp | jsharp@al.com

Black Business Expo in Mobile, Ala.

Shomari Figures, the former deputy chief of staff and counselor to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland Mayors, participates in a forum about Black-owned businesses as part of the Port City Classic’s Black Business Expo on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Ala.

3 / 10

John Sharp | jsharp@al.com

Black Business Expo in Mobile, Ala.

From left to right: Shomari Figures, former deputy chief of staff and counselor to Attorney General Merrick Garland; Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed; Alabama State Rep. Anthony Daniels; and Roland Martin, owner and founder of Black Star Network. Mayors, state lawmakers and business leaders gathered during a forum about Black businesses on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, as part of the Port City Classic’s Black Business Expo at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Ala. Martin was the moderator.

4 / 10

John Sharp | jsharp@al.com

Black Business Expo in Mobile, Ala.

Alabama State House Minority Leader Rep. Anthony Daniels of Huntsville and State Rep. Sam Jones of Mobile participate in a forum on Black businesses on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, as part of the Port City Classic’s Black Business Expo at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Ala.

5 / 10

John Sharp | jsharp@al.com

Black Business Expo in Mobile, Ala.

Alabama State House Minority Leader Rep. Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville at the Port City Classic’s Black Business Expo on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Ala.

6 / 10

John Sharp | jsharp@al.com

Black Business Expo in Mobile, Ala.

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed participates in a forum on Black-owned businesses as part of the Port City Classic’s Black Business Expo on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Ala.

7 / 10

John Sharp | jsharp@al.com

Black Business Expo in Mobile, Ala.

Mayors, state lawmakers and business leaders gathered during a forum about Black businesses on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, as part of the Port City Classic’s Black Business Expo at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Ala.

8 / 10

John Sharp | jsharp@al.com

Black Business Expo in Mobile, Ala.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin at the Port City Classic’s Black Business Expo on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Ala.

9 / 10

John Sharp | jsharp@al.com

Black Business Expo in Mobile, Ala.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin participates on a panel on Black-owned businesses as part of the Port City Classic’s Black Business Expo on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Ala.

10 / 10

John Sharp | jsharp@al.com

Black Business Expo in Mobile, Ala.

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed meets with attendees ahead of a forum about Black businesses on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, as part of the Port City Classic’s Black Business Expo at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Ala.