Michelle Rainey of Bakersfield is doing it again- she’s bringing her BBDI Mystery Bus Tour back to Taste of Soul for 2018!! Michelle, who is from Los Angeles, has been working with Black Businesses in Bakersfield for 4.5 years and had this unique idea to connect them to the Los Angeles small business community through Taste of Soul. Ms. Rainey wants for this coalition of businesses to see what is done when businesses are brought together to do something positive to further awareness, patronization and economic development in an atmosphere full of fun, good food and great entertainment.
Bakersfield Black Dollar Initiative was created by Michelle in November of 2014. Michelle’s experience and knowledge as a retail manager for many years, coupled with her desire to be socially conscious about the power of spending, led her to create this company that specializes in promoting/targeting businesses that are owned and operated by African Americans. Because of her direct contact and networking skills, more than 300 businesses are now listed in the Bakersfield Black Dollar Initiative Directory, which links customers to professional service vendors, apparel owners, doctors, lawyers and a whole host of other services and products. Michelle has brought awareness to her community by hosting Mystery Bus Tours to select businesses in her Directory in Bakersfield and Fresno so far. Michelle’s consistent desire to bring community and businesses together has Host a Shop Small Saturday event at Colorful Strokes Ca, a Brunch/Mixer at Centro 18, a noontime Dance Downtown at the Liberty Bell and a Clean Comedy Sunday Show at Centro 18.
In her continuous effort to bring about awareness and patronization to her Directory businesses, Michelle has planned a First Friday/Art Walk Dance Downtown to take place on Eye and 20th strs. October 5th and her Clean Comedy Sundays2 show set for November 4th at Centro 18.
Michelle/BBDI hold membership with the Downtown Business Association, Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce, Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce.
BBDI has brought awareness to what many rarely give a second thought to: ” Your Money is Your Power “.
Taste of Soul welcomes the BBDI Taste of Soul Mystery Bus Tour 2018 to our Festival once again!!
www.bakersfieldblackdollarinitiative.com
