Upcoming Events
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.
2023 SBN Sustainable Business of the Year Awards
Join us to meet and celebrate our local heroes in the small business world. Together let’s learn more about these emerging new businesses and established pillars of their communities, across the state and across industries.
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.
13th Annual Boston Local Food Festival
Shop with nearly 100 local food vendors, participate in our events, and enjoy a spectacular day celebrating local food in downtown Boston.
Mass Go Solar Summit
The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) of Massachusetts 33rd Annual Conference will focus on the objectives of the Mass Go Solar Coalition.
Massachusetts Health Connector - Health Benefits Webinar Q&A
Small businesses that need to offer affordable, quality health insurance to employees can learn about cost-effective options from the Sustainable Business Network’s health insurance partner, the Massachusetts Health Connector for Business, during this informative webinar session.
Local Food Trade Show of New England
The 12th Annual Local Food Trade Show of New England is back! Welcome to this one-of-a-kind in-person opportunity at a new vibrant venue: Russell's Garden Center.
Passport to Black-Owned Businesses Pop up in Harvard Square
To celebrate Black-History month, Shop Black Owned Businesses! Join us for the 4th Passport to Cambridge event at The Smith Center in Harvard Square February 9th and 10th.
2022 Sustainable Business of the Year Awards Celebration
Join us in toasting to local, green, and fair businesses that are making a difference in Massachusetts and beyond!
Speed Trading
Welcome to Speed Trading - a matchmaking event connecting New England food producers with New England wholesale buyers. This is an associated panel to the Local Food Trade Show put on by the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts as a part of our Boston Local Food Programs.
SBN MA Retirement Plan Program Webinar
As an SBN member you have access to a range of benefits that are offered to support you and your business. Join us for a free Q&A Webinar session to learn more about SBN’s newest member benefit.
Decarbonize your Business or Nonprofit: Practical Ways to Save Money through Government Incentives
Join SBN and KBLIC at the Boston Public Library for an information session on how businesses and nonprofits can decrease their carbon footprint and be more environmentally responsible.
Boston Local Food Festival
Join us for the 12th Annual Boston Local Food Festival, downtown Boston on the Rose Kennedy Greenway on September 18th. As one of New England’s largest food events, this festival attracts around 40,000 guests and hosts almost 100 vendors from around New England. Come browse the tasty delights and meet the makers of your new favorite foods.
Trivia Night at the Aeronaut Brewing Cannery
Come grab a cold one at the Aeronaut Brewing Cannery in Everett, and join us for a local food trivia night!
Green Cambridge Garden Bike Tour
Join us to bike the beautiful community gardens of Cambridge, or for our Garden Party later in the evening!
Microgreen Facility Tour and Workshop - SBN & Giant Gorilla Greens
Participate in a farm tour that includes demonstrations of their growing process, and a chance to taste a variety of microgreens. Grab a “Grow Your Own Microgreens Kit”, and enjoy a snack from the “Just Hummus” food truck!
SBN MA's Retirement Plan Program Info Webinar
*NEW* SBN Member Benefit Alert! Are you aware that all organizations can have a responsible retirement plan solution? If you are a value driven, mission-based company we want to share some exciting news.
Farm to Plate, Make Food Safe: Food Safety Workshop
Join us for a panel discussion to meet with four small, local food processors that recently developed FDA-mandated Preventive Controls food safety plans.
CSBBN Network Meeting with Karen Spiller
Save the Date for Our Next CSBBN Network Meeting!
The next Network meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 29, from 5-6:30pm. We will be joined by Karen Spiller, SBN board member and co-creator of Food Solutions New England's 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge.
Local Food Trade Show of New England
The 2022 Local Food Trade Show of New England is a dynamic virtual space for local food producers and buyers from across our region to connect.
Passport to Black-Owned Businesses
In celebration of Black History Month, the Cambridge-Somerville Black Business Network, the Sustainable Business Network of MA, and Cambridge Local First are holding the third Passport to Black-owned Businesses Event. This event encourages community members to interact with and support Black-owned, local businesses. We are excited to feature 13 businesses from Cambridge and Somerville in this event!
Sixth Annual Sustainable Business of the Year Awards & Silent Auction
Celebrate and get inspired by the local businesses that are setting themselves apart through outstanding work in sustainability and diversity, equity & inclusion!
The Sustainable Business Network of MA presents the Sixth Annual Awards Celebration in partnership with NPR's Award-winning Host Robin Young!
We are thrilled to invite you to our second virtual rendition of this event to honor six leading sustainable businesses in Massachusetts. Please join us to learn more about sustainable business in our state and network with others who share the values of the 2021 Sustainable Business of the Year Awardees.
Featuring uplifting music and poetry, inspiring stories, and conversations with business leaders, community leaders and individuals who share the values of the Sustainable Business Awardees....you won't want to miss this! Join us to Celebrate, Network, and Make New Connections in the New Year!
Plus, support local businesses and participate in our Silent Auction that includes a number of local delights such as comedy show tickets, gift cards, and beautiful jewelry! Bidding will open closer to the event date so stay tuned!
Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday – but make it local.
On Monday, November 29, get the best of both worlds. Kick back your feet and relax at home (or wherever you are), and browse online stores from the independent retailers that make Cambridge and Somerville special.
Store offerings and listings coming soon.
Support Artists Sunday
Give art this holiday season and celebrate the impact local artists have on our community.
On November 28, 500 communities across the nation will participate in Artists Sunday to support local artists and promote the giving of the arts during the holidays. Give something special, unique, and handcrafted this holiday season and support local artists and the local economy.
Participation details coming soon.
Passport to Black-owned Businesses Event
Explore local Black-owned Businesses at the "Passport to Black-owned Businesses" Event!
In celebration of Small Business Saturday, Cambridge-Somerville Black Business Network, Sustainable Business Network, Black Economic Council of Massachusetts, and Cambridge Local First invites you to participate in the second “Passport to Black-Owned Businesses” event. An exciting combination of bingo and trivia, this event will encourage community members to interact with and support Black-owned, local businesses in Cambridge. We will provide everything you need to participate!
How it works:
Participating businesses will be added to a “passport” and map to businesses for community members.
Sponsoring organizations - including CSBBN, SBN, BECMA, and CLF - will be distributing event information (included day-of details, the passport, and map) across their networks.
On the day of the event, community members will come by, ask a trivia question about your business, then collect a “stamp” for their “passports.” After completing the challenge, they can enter their passports will be entered into a raffle to win a prize made up of items from participating businesses
Come out and support local Black-owned businesses including Nüssli118°, Artifact Soapworks, Girls Chronically Rock, B. Royal Boutique, and more! For questions about this event, contact Allison Deyo at allison@sbnmass.org.
Learn more here.
Small Business Saturday
Take a trip to some of our favorite local businesses on Small Business Saturday!
We’re partnering with Cambridge Local First to highlight some incredible Black-owned businesses. To learn more about the Passport to Black-Owned Businesses event, download your “passport” and event map, and enter the event raffle, click here.
How to participate:
Download your passport OR pick one up at any participating business on the day of the event.
Visit at least 3 participating businesses on 11/27 and ask them the trivia question listed on their page to get your passport stamped AND/OR see specific rules for each business participating virtually. Note: you must interact with at least three businesses to be entered into the raffle. Additional entries will be given to those who interact with more than three businesses.
Mail your answers to the trivia questions or proof of virtual participation to allison@sbnmass.org by Monday, November 29. The winner will be announced on November 30.
Plaid Friday
Shop Local Weekend
Cambridge Local First, the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts, and the Cambridge-Somerville Black Business Network are excited to bring you the first-ever Shop Local Weekend from November 26-29! With a variety of events planned for each day, we hope to help you kick off the Holiday Shopping Season right – by supporting local, independently-owned businesses! View the schedule of events below and visit the website to learn more!
Move over, Black Friday! Celebrate the diversity and creativity of local, independent businesses with this alternative to the big box store consumer frenzy.
How to participate:
Visit any local business on our list while wearing plaid.
Post a picture on your Instagram story or Twitter with the hashtag #shoplocalcambma and tag Cambridge Local First (2 raffle entries). You can also submit your photo through this form or email it to pooja@cambridgelocalfirst.org. Bonus raffle entries if there are multiple people in the picture!
The Local Food Speed Trading Virtual Series
Local Food Producers! Connect 1-on-1 with distributors, retailers, restaurants, and institutions in this free B2B Networking Opportunity. We will play matchmaker and pair you up with the best-suited buyers, who you’ll meet with for 10-minute pitch and feedback sessions.
The Speed Trading takes place over two 2-hour sessions on November 16th, 3-5 pm, and November 19th, 11 am-1 pm. You let us know your availability and we will schedule you for 10-minute slots with the Buyers during that time.
Our current list of participating buyers are Basil Tree Catering, City Feed & Supply, Associated Buyers, Myer's Producer, Brighams and Womens Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, Costa Fruit & Produce, and Gibson Dairy.
If interested, please fill out an application here and we will be in contact about your matches and itinerary for the event.
The Local Food Speed Trading Virtual Series
Local Food Producers! Connect 1-on-1 with distributors, retailers, restaurants, and institutions in this free B2B Networking Opportunity. We will play matchmaker and pair you up with the best-suited buyers, who you’ll meet with for 10-minute pitch and feedback sessions.
The Speed Trading takes place over two 2-hour sessions on November 16th, 3-5 pm, and November 19th, 11 am-1 pm. You let us know your availability and we will schedule you for 10-minute slots with the Buyers during that time.
Our current list of participating buyers are Basil Tree Catering, City Feed & Supply, Associated Buyers, Myer's Producer, Brighams and Womens Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, Costa Fruit & Produce, and Gibson Dairy.
If interested, please fill out an application here and we will be in contact about your matches and itinerary for the event.