Local First Arizona, in collaboration with the University of Arizona FORGE, is debuting a brand-new series of events on the third Thursday of each month: The Hustle Hour.

Join us for a building tour, networking, and―at the center of the evening―a rotating panel of speakers featuring Local First members. Each panel will feature insights and expertise around a particular topic, drawing on panelists' own experiences as entrepreneurs and community members here in Tucson.

For October 2023, our panel topic will be Black business ownership in Tucson with:

• Erisha Green (King’s Kreations Catering LLC)
• Jennifer O'Neill (Psychotherapist, Artist)
• Sydney King (Entrepreneur & Business Owner)
• Seydou Dioukou (Millionaire Web Services)
• Sarah Burnett (Artist, Author, Entrepreneur)

The panel will be moderated courtesy of Tucson Urban League Young Professionals (TULYP) by Trehon Cockrell-Coleman (Advocate, Leader, Public Speaker)

Never been to FORGE before? Arrive early at 5:00 for a tour of the building, including the co-working space on the second floor. The panel will begin at 5:30. We'll look to wrap up the conversation around 6:15.

Immediately following the event, please join us for a no-host cocktail hour down the street at the Reilly Rooftop Bar at 101 E. Pennington.

Wondering about parking downtown? Find directions and parking information here for FORGE at Roy Place.

Who is this event for? Local entrepreneurs, business owners, and serial networkers should find a lot to love here, in addition to those involved with local government, the nonprofit sector, higher education, and so on. Community members―or those interested in educational opportunities or meeting new people―are also invited. Local First's Tucson-based staff will be on-hand for each event, as well as staff from FORGE and other members of the University of Arizona community.