Wheeling Heritage announced today that four Black-owned businesses will be competing for the next Show of Hands event on Feb. 8 in honor of Black History Month. This special edition of Show of Hands will feature four Black entrepreneurs who will showcase the products and services they offer our community in hope of taking home the top prize.
At the event, owners of the following businesses will be making presentations:
Movers 4 You: Daniel Pearson created a local and long-distance full-service moving company located here in Wheeling. Employing local people, Movers 4 You keep most of their work local in Wheeling, giving the city a new enlightenment on the packing and moving business. Movers 4 You hopes to win Show of Hands to invest in a new work truck and supplies, along with media and news advertising.
Little Blessings Childcare: Tarrika Jenkins, owner of Little Blessings Childcare helps to educate and empower Wheeling’s children while providing much-needed childcare services to parents. If Jenkins wins Show of Hands, she plans to purchase new furniture, supplies and an outdoor play area for her growing facility.
Just Me &More Salon: Rica Dabney has established herself in the Wheeling beauty business. Focusing on hair extensions, color, braid, make-up waxing and more, her salon offers birthday parties and hosts workshops to educate people on hair health. Dabney prides her salon on helping to make women and men of all ages and races feel their best. Just Me &More Salon hopes to win Show of Hands to add a nail station area with partitions, new workstations, signage for her new location and advertising.
Vondel Bell: Vondel Bell is a professional portrait artist, painter, muralist, graphic designer and clothing designer. He uses his business to make murals, portraits, custom logos for local businesses and has his own clothing line. He uses his artistic ability to bring vibrant and colorful art to the city through murals, portrait paintings and pop-up shops for other clothing brands. If he wins Show of Hands, Vondel plans to expand his clothing brand and invest in additional art supplies.
Wheeling Heritage is honored to celebrate Black History Month by putting a spotlight on the successes of these local, Black-owned businesses. According to the Small Business Administration, Black entrepreneurs make up over 3 million businesses in the United States. In Wheeling alone, there are over 20 small businesses that are Black-owned businesses.
Show of Hands has awarded more than $105,000 to support small businesses and projects in Wheeling. In addition to program sponsors, attendees pay $5 at the door to vote on the project they feel is the most worthwhile. The presenter who receives the most votes will be awarded more than $4,000 from the event’s Friends of Show of Hands supported, plus door donations, to put toward their project.
This program is generously funded by Orrick, the program’s corporate sponsor, and Friends of Show of Hands. Orrick donates $1,000 to each Show of Hands while our Friends of Show of Hands contributes $250 to each event. Friends of Show of Hands includes Kennen & Kennen Realtors, H. Lawrence Jones, ED.D, Rabbi Joshua Lief & Rebecca Lief, Warwood Armature, Sikora Montessori, Bridgeway Capital, Will and Tracey Turani, Dr. & Mrs. Dan Joseph- Joseph Orthodontics, Wheeling VW-Subaru, FXB, Barb & Fuzz LaRue,
If interested in becoming a Friend of Show of Hands, please contact Cassie Minder at cminder@wheelingheritage.org.
The next Show of Hands event is scheduled for Feb. 8 on the third floor of the Artisan Center, 1400 Main Street in Wheeling. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with presentations starting at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring $5 cash for their opportunity to vote. Learn more at wheelingheritage.org/show-of-hands
