Sustainable Business Events

SBN offers several opportunities for building connections and sharing ideas that contribute to local, green and fair economies.

A Candid Conversation about The State of Black-Owned Small Businesses in Cambridge

The Steering Committee of the Cambridge-Somerville Black Business Network (CSBBN) invites you to a special meeting on the State of Black-Owned Small Businesses in Cambridge on Wednesday, March 27th, 6pm via Zoom and sponsored by Sustainable Business Network and Cambridge Local First. CSBBN advocated for this landmark Cambridge Disparity Study which revealed that in a 5-year period while the City of Cambridge procured $260 million in contracts, only $60,000 was contracted to Black-owned businesses. The results are not much better across the board for Hispanic-owned and women-owned businesses. See an article about the study results from WGBH here and the Boston Globe here. 

Join us for a candid conversation about what it means to be a small business owner in Cambridge in the current environment. We would like to have meaningful dialog amongst business owners; understand your concerns and opportunities for doing business in Cambridge; find out how you would like to be heard by our policy makers; and how we, as a small business community with support of our allies, can offer ideas, input, and solutions for a vibrant, welcoming and supportive ecosystem for Black-owned businesses in the City of Cambridge.

Please register for the event here: RSVP

Shop Black-Owned Businesses during the holidays, December 15-17th, 2023 in Harvard Square! 

The Cambridge-Somerville Black Business Network is partnering with Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts, Cambridge Local First, and independent business alliances. Join us for the 6th Passport to Black Businesses Pop-up at One Brattle Square at the old "Spyce" location in Harvard Square. Shop for gift items, vegan treats, soaps, sauces, bags, jewelry, fine art, dog treats, and more. Free event!

Event Times: Friday 12/15, 12-7pm; Saturday 12/16,-7pm; Sunday 12/17, 12-6pm.

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SBN Annual Conference

For over 30 years, SBN and its predecessors have hosted the longest-running local annual conference on socially responsible business. The event includes talks by influential movement leaders, break-out sessions on pertinent topics, networking opportunities, and much more. Learn more about the most recent conference at the links below.

SBN’s 32nd Annual Conference - Solarize MA Summit

SBN’s 31st Annual Conference - Building Local, Green & Fair Economies, We’re All in this Together

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Sustainable Business of the Year Awards

The Annual event seeks to showcase businesses across Massachusetts that are committed to a local, green, and fair economy. Every year, businesses nominate themselves or are nominated by friends and members of the public to receive an award in a certain category in recognition of their exemplary work to the community, sustainable practices within their business, and dedication to a fair and inclusive workplace. 

Coming Soon: 2023 Sustainable Business Awards (Virtual)

2022 Sustainable Business Awards Celebration (Virtual)
2021 Sustainable Business Awards Celebration (Virtual)
2020 Sustainable Business Awards Celebration (Virtual)
2015-2018 Previous Year Awardees

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SBN On Tour 

Every few months, SBN goes OnTour to a local business to get an insider, behind-the-scenes look at how the host business operates in a sustainable manner. 

SBN On Tours are a great way to network with SBN members while also learning from local entrepreneurs and leaders who contribute to a local, green and fair economy.

Past SBN Tours have taken us to: 

  • Deer Island Water Treatment Plant – Winthrop, MA

  • Roxbury Technology Corporation – Roxbury, MA

  • Teddie Peanut Butter – Everett, MA

  • Red’s Best - Boston, MA

  • MassCEC’s Wind Technology Testing Center (WTTC) – Charlestown, MA

  • City Fresh Foods – Roxbury, MA

  • Save That Stuff – Charlestown, MA

  • Taza Chocolate – Somerville, MA

  • Urban Farming Institute – Mattapan, MA

  • Boston Organics – Charlestown, MA

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Networking Events and Workshops

SBN hosts networking events that allow for member businesses to connect with like-minded local business owners, exchange information and ideas, and learn about best practices of fellow member businesses committed to a local, green, and fair economy. Our most recent virtual networking event in collaboration with Cambridge Local First and Cabot Creamery Cooperative took place in November 2020.

SBN also hosts knowledge-sharing sessions to help local businesses and the local community stay up-to-date including: 

  • Farm and Restaurant Safety during the COVID-19 Pandemic

  • Scaling production for Food Businesses

  • Local Business Owner Roundtables

  • Customer Service Workshop