Vegas-based Black networking group aspires to scale resources together

Vegas entrepreneur returning to networking productions pledges to make the outcome more fruitful.

Inspired by a biblical social media post about feeding a large group with scarce resources, Devin Moore, 43, launched Multiplication Network this summer to support Black business owners and entreprenuers in the Las Vegas Valley. Hundreds of longtime residents and new transplants have gathered at the ceremony, which could soon grow into an organized group of committees.

The growing collaborative event is hosted with the Las Vegas Urban Chamber of Commerce in the central part of town at Mariposa Lounge. It’s where Black entreprenuers showcase their products, services and businesses every other Wednesday to “connect the dots.”

“We all represent dots,” Moore said, quoting George C. Fraser, a global economic development leader. “The dots have intellect…curiosity…skill set…connections…income…education…relationships.”

Moore told News, From the Margin that he initially resisted the pressure to start a networking event at the lounge after losing faith in those types of mixers. He was later moved to start the Multiplication Network in July, aiming to make it more fruitful and purposeful than his past attempts. 

He said the goal is clear: to create an ecosystem of Black entrepreneurship that aggregates resources to help businesses become more stable and efficient. The group also seeks to foster community and purpose by collectively addressing funding, staffing, pricing and customer service issues at Black-owned businesses. 

“A lot of times they say, why is Black restaurant’s food so high?” he said. “Well, if you’re a single location operator, that’s why.”

The network includes Black investors, restauranteurs, business owners, professionals and influencers. Moore said they are currently focused on adding committees to the mix to execute strategies to help business owners reduce their overhead. For example, getting similar companies to buy bulk services, such as human resources, or joining a shared pantry to purchase food items together, such as catfish, to benefit operators and customers’ pockets.

During the event, featured business owners take over the stage to give a formal introduction of who they are as part of the spotlight portion. Attendees can enter a chance to go on stage through a drawing, in which organizers pull business cards from a champagne bucket. 

Moore also traditionally delivers an inspirational message during the event, like the one on Nov. 13. It centered on the idea that Black professionals in Las Vegas could have a plaza similar to those in Chinatown, representing the diverse AAPI community.

“We’re all about—how do we multiply?” Moore told a crowd of less than 100 people. 

Black-owned businesses have grown significantly in the U.S. in recent years. According to the Brookings Institute, they were trending upward before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, studies also show that Black-owned businesses have a higher rate of failure than the national average, which leads to downward wealth mobility, exacerbating the racial wealth gap. 

According to researchers, factors that contribute to Black-owned businesses’ failure rate include racial discrimination, lack of experience among owners and financial redlining by banks.

Despite roadblocks, local Black professionals seek intercommunal spaces to expand their business beyond making sales, networking or collecting leads at places such as Multiplication Network.

“I actually met someone [here], not affiliated with a major bank, who established me a $75,000 line of credit,” said Kevin Lee, 41, owner of Creative Toys, an electronics kiosk company with multiple locations, outside Mariposa Lounge. “That’s gonna provide the product I will use for my holiday season.”