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Businesses

The Opportunity Factor with Shana Knight of SOUL Street (Part 1)

Frederick Factor March 2, 2023 277


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Show Summary:

In this episode, Shana Knight shares the story behind creating SOUL Street and how racial injustices spurred a group of inspired people in Frederick to take action and make a lasting impact. Shana is taking her service for the community to a new level by supporting underrepresented business owners in Frederick County. Listen and learn more about the historical challenges Black business owners have faced and why supporting Black-owned businesses is crucial. Stay tuned for Part 2 — our 2nd interview with Shana — coming later this season!

Show Notes / Highlights from the Show:
  • The story behind the creation of SOUL Street in June 2020, in the wake of the murder of George Floyd
  • How SOUL Street went from an idea in a Facebook Group to a hugely popular pop-up market just two weeks later
  • The importance of connecting underrepresented businesses to the right resources so they can be sustainable
  • Shana’s background in nonprofits supporting ALICE families and how that influences her work now
  • How Frederick has improved its resources and support for underrepresented businesses 
  • Shana’s Frederick Factor
Guest Bio:

Although she is not a native, Shana Knight has lived in Frederick County most of her life and is proudly rooted in this community.  She is a Frostburg State University graduate with a degree in Mass Communication and Journalism. Her career path took many twists and turns as she went from working at a local news station behind a camera to working in the nonprofit field for seven years. Working in nonprofits allowed Shana to form many new skills, meaningful connections, and a new love and appreciation for Frederick County. 

In the midst of the pandemic and after the death of George Floyd in 2020, Shana and a group of community members came together to advocate for the Black Community by promoting and uplifting black-owned businesses in Frederick County and surrounding areas through pop-up markets. As a result, the organization SOUL Street was formed. SOUL Street is a local collective of Black business owners and community members in Frederick County who have come together to empower the Black business community through events, outreach, advocacy, and education. Inspired by Black Wall Street, “SOUL” is an acronym for Sustaining Our Unique Legacy. 

Shana’s advocacy and work through SOUL Street led her to a new career path, working in the government sector while supporting Frederick County’s underrepresented businesses.

Show Links:
SOUL Street: 

Learn more about Platinum PR, the sponsors of Season Two of the Frederick Factor here: www.platinumpr.com

Interested in sponsoring a season of the Frederick Factor? Contact us at info@frederickfactor.com 

For the full transcript, click below:

Transcript S2 Ep 1 – Shana Knight

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