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With artificial intelligence becoming a bigger part of everyday life, one Long Island entrepreneur is making sure underserved communities don’t get left behind.
Kevin Spann, a Wyandanch native, is hosting the first Black Business and AI Expo on Oct. 13 at Bisou Event Space in Farmingdale. The certified AI consultant and insurance agent says the event is designed to show local business owners how to use AI to grow and plan for the future.
“I speak about AI throughout the country, but I wanted to specifically teach this to underserved communities on Long Island,” Spann told Greater Long Island.
What to expect
The expo will feature:
- Workshops on digital branding, real estate for business growth, gaining access to capital, and more
- Vendors and networking opportunities
- Professional headshots for attendees
- A 60-second pitch competition for vendors, taped live
- An after party with live entertainment, drinks, and small bites
Tackling access to capital
One of the featured speakers is Keith Banks, owner of Sir Shave Barbershop in Wyandanch, who has worked in small business and consumer banking for more than 27 years.
“I think the hardest part about securing funding, especially for Black-owned businesses, is getting them to start their business on the right foot and getting the right players such as CPAs, attorneys and mentors involved from day one,” Banks said.
The challenge is real. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Black entrepreneurs are twice as likely to be denied loans compared to white business owners with similar credit profiles. And the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta reported that nearly 80 percent of Black entrepreneurs rely on personal savings or credit cards to fund their businesses due to systemic banking discrimination.
The promise and challenges of AI
Spann believes artificial intelligence can be a game-changer for small businesses.
“AI isn’t the future; AI is now,” he said. “It can help small business owners solve problems and plan for the future. People who embrace AI will be in great demand.”
That optimism is reflected nationally.
In a survey by Jobs for the Future, two-thirds of Black respondents said AI is already impacting their jobs, compared to 57 percent overall. And 71 percent of Black workers and learners felt the need to develop new skills as a result of AI, versus 53 percent of respondents overall.
Still, Spann acknowledges the concerns.
“The greatest fear of AI is that it will replace people and take away jobs,” he said. “That’s a huge negative that we hope to overcome with this event.”
“People should expect to have a great time networking and connecting with like-minded people,” he added. “I hope they leave with one idea they can implement to positively impact their lives and small business.”
If you go
- Black Business and AI Expo
- Sunday, Oct. 13, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (after party from 6–10 p.m.)
- Bisou Event Space, 120 Broadhollow Rd., Farmingdale
Follow along
Top: Kevin Spann, a Wyandanch native, is hosting the first Black Business and AI Expo on Oct. 13 at Bisou Event Space in Farmingdale. Credit: Facebook
