The City of Birmingham to host 2026 State of Small Business Coffee & Convo: "The Impact is Real"
Event will unveil new report on entrepreneurship, growth, and economic opportunity across Birmingham's neighborhoods
The City of Birmingham will unveil its 2026 State of Small Business Report during a special Coffee & Convo event on Friday, June 12, at the historic Carver Theatre.
Hosted by the City of Birmingham's Office of Business Diversity & Opportunity (OBDO), the event, titled "The Impact is Real," will run from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM and feature city leaders, business advocates, and entrepreneurs discussing the state of Birmingham's small business community.
The report offers a detailed look at Birmingham's entrepreneurial landscape, examining trends and conditions across the city's 99 neighborhoods. The assessment explores topics including access to capital, business sustainability, economic mobility, commercial corridor development, and the preservation of long-standing neighborhood businesses.
City officials said the report is intended to serve as a resource for business owners, policymakers, investors, and community organizations seeking to strengthen Birmingham's economy and support local entrepreneurship.
"This report gives us more than data—it gives us direction," said Dorothy George, Small Business Relationship Coordinator for the City of Birmingham's Office of Business Diversity & Opportunity. "The findings help us better understand what Birmingham's entrepreneurs are experiencing, where opportunities exist, and where additional support is needed. Small businesses are the backbone of our neighborhoods and commercial corridors, and this report provides a roadmap for how we can work together to strengthen the ecosystem, expand opportunity and ensure that local businesses have the resources they need to grow and succeed."
The event's theme, "The Impact is Real," reflects what city leaders describe as the measurable role small businesses play in job creation, neighborhood revitalization, and expanding economic opportunity throughout Birmingham.
Opening remarks are scheduled to be delivered by Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. Attendees will also hear a presentation of the report from Teasha Cable, whose firm prepared the analysis.
Organizers said the program will include discussions on legacy businesses, neighborhood stability, and feedback gathered from entrepreneurs during Small Business Week. Representatives from organizations including REV Birmingham and Birmingham Business Alliance are expected to participate in conversations about the report's findings and future opportunities for collaboration.
The city also plans to showcase an impact story highlighting the reach of the Coffee & Convo initiative, which was created to connect entrepreneurs directly with city resources and support programs.
Since its launch, Coffee & Convo has served as a monthly forum where business owners can engage with city officials, exchange ideas, and learn about opportunities available through OBDO. City leaders say this year's gathering is designed to move beyond discussion and provide practical insights that can guide future investment and economic development efforts.
The event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m.
Event Information
What: State of Small Business Coffee & Convo: The Impact is Real
When: Friday, June 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Carver Theatre
Host: City of Birmingham Office of Business Diversity & Opportunity
Registration is available through Eventbrite:
For more information about the Coffee & Convo program, visit:
