Black Economic Empowerment Expo Expanding to a Three-Day Event in 2017

Orlando, FL — Save the date! The second annual Orlando Black Expo will kick off at 5pm on Thursday, November 16 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Drive, Orlando. This expanded three-day event will coincide with activities leading up to the Florida Classic football game and conclude on Saturday, November 18. The event will offer a wide range of programs designed to educate and empower members of the African American community of all ages, from youth to seniors. In addition to personal and professional development workshops on a variety of topics, including health and wellness, financial literacy and career management, the event will include a fashion show, an internship zone, a step-show competition, a business-plan competition, a teen summit, a kids’ corner and more.

Over the years, the annual Florida Classic football game has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors who have enjoyed the many cultural offerings of the Orlando area and injected millions of dollars into the local economy. In November 2016, as Orlando welcomed thousands of dedicated Florida Classic supporters, a small group of business owners and educators hosted the first Orlando Black Expo and took the first step toward fulfilling a long-held promise to uplift the Central Florida community in bold new ways.

In light of the overwhelmingly positive response to the expo, we have extended the event to three days and expanded programming content to promote economic empowerment, health and well-being among the African American community’s members. Although the Florida Classic is already a great event, this year, it will be even better! Ten percent of the proceeds the expo generates will be donated to a scholarship fund for high school seniors and undergraduate African American students based on academic achievement and financial need, with preference given to first-generation collegiate. The fund will also be open for donations.

According to an August 2016 report from the Institute of Policy Studies on the front page of USA Today, “If average black family wealth continues to grow at the same pace it has over the past three decades, it would take black families 228 years to amass the same amount of wealth white families have today.” The expo is tackling this issue directly by fostering the social and economic advancement of African Americans in Central Florida. Throughout 2017, expo founders will also provide opportunities to support local businesses and assist the community in learning how to make better financial choices. There is still plenty of time for more people and businesses to be involved.

Register at www.orlandoblackexpo.com to attend or participate as a vendor, advertiser, exhibitor, volunteer or sponsor, or just help spread the word.

 

PRESS CONTACT:
Donel J. Richemond, DBA, MBA
407-427-3564
drichemond@orlandoblackexpo.com