Thank you for your support of the L.A. Black Business Expo (BBXLA)!

The show went off without a hitch proving that you can transform a Hangar into an Exhibition Hall with great success.

Here are some looks back at this year’s show:Reaction to BBXLA

For the latest, like” our Facebook Page: The L.A. Black Business Expo Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/BlackBusinessExpo

The compilation of Expo Tweets and posts:
http://bit.ly/11jcbos

Photos from Michael Riddick (Day 1) More are coming!:

Video clips by William Byers:

More to come.  Post your own links!

Are you on our email list? The Latest E-Blast

Link:
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PLEASE SHARE | Forward |Blast Out | Post to Facebook | Tweet!  Thanks! Check out the Twittersphere! Abuzz about the Expo! The 2013 Los Angeles Black Business Expo Starts Tomorrow! This year The Expo (BBXLA) moves to the Hangar behind West Angeles Cathedral, Crenshaw and Exposition. Free Admission & Free Parking! The Los Angeles BLACK BUSINESS EXPO starts this weekend (May 24 & 25th!) Just want you to know:  Admission and Parking: Free! Parking structure is just north of West Angeles Cathedral on Crenshaw. There’s also street parking. Taking the train to Exposition and Crenshaw?  The entrance is closer to Exposition side, behind the church, one (1) block East of Crenshaw. EXHIBITORS PLEASE NOTE: The Move-In DATE Has Changed: The date to move in has been changed to Friday at 8 a.m.  No Thursday Move in! Opening Ceremonies start Friday at 10:30  a.m. at the stage. Congratulations to our honorees! (Listed below) Latest Press Release: (Scroll below) Now you can pay for your booth space online: www.BlackBusinessExpo.com …click “Exhibitors”  Note: By this writing all spaces may be taken.  Call (323) 290-4743 or (323) 810-4752 to get approval before you purchase because we may be sold out by the time you read this! Expo Business Success Profile: WATTS COFFEE HOUSE, Desi Edwards, Owner (Scroll below)  An Expo Food Court Success Story! See details and restrictions for exhibitors: at www.blackbusinessexpo.com Click Exhibitors Note from the BBX president Harold Hambrick: Special thanks: Bishop Charles Blake for tweeting to his many Twitter followers about the Expo, the BBA for the Eblast, Sarah from Suite Events, 1800 Unite Us, Rene Cross Washington, Eric Johnson, Isidra Person-Lynn, Ruth Williams, Antoinette Hunt, Kathe Hambrick, Sharon Edwards, Kathy Williamson, Ernestine Dixon, Vicki Phillips, Michael Riddick, all of our exhibitors,  and countless others. Also Olu Alemoru, Wave Newspapers, Roland Bynum, KJLH, the Los Angeles Sentinel, the L.A. Watts Times, Pace News, and the West Angeles Church website, Raise the Praise, L.A. Focus on te Word and so many more for helping us spread the word. The Latest Media Release: BBX To Feature Food, Fitness, Finance, Gospel Music and More Community Legends To Be Honored             The 21st Black Business Expo will open its doors Friday and Saturday, May 24 and 25, noon to 8 p.m., in “The Hangar” at the West Angeles Cathedral on Crenshaw and Exposition Boulevards (a few steps from the Metro Train station). Designed to connect Black businesses and consumers, BBX will continue the events for which it has become known, including the Tom Bradley Business Institute; Tastin’ Black Culture Food court, West Coast GospeLive, Health & Fitness Pavilion, Fashion, Art Zone , Kid’s World and much more.  Sponsors include OneUnited Bank, West Angeles Church, Watts Healthcare, PepsiCo, McDonald’s and Sparkletts water.. In addition to relocating to the heart of the South L.A. community, the show has been re-designed to be more community and consumer friendly, with free parking and admission. The opening ceremony will be held on Friday, May 24, 10:30 a.m., in “The Hangar.”  At that time, BBX will honor community legends, including L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who will receive the Tom Bradley award; Bishop Charles E. Blake Sr., Presiding Bishop, Church of God in Christ Inc., and Pastor, West Angeles Cathedral, the Booker T. Washington award; Dr. Genevieve Shepherd, Principal, Tom Bradley Global Awareness Magnet School, the Mary McLeod Bethune award; 103 year-old retired Pullman Porter, Lee Gibson, the A. Philip Randolph award, and 99 year-old entrepreneur Leon Garr, the Frederick Douglass Award This year’s food court will also include, McDonald’s “smoothie” mobile and a gumbo cooking demonstration by Kathe Hambrick, Executive Director, River Road African American Museum (in Donaldsonville, Louisiana).   The West Coast GospeLive event will feature local choirs each day from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. “This year, more than ever, it is important to empower our South Los Angeles (SoLA) community,” said Harold Hambrick, BBX Executive Director. “The time is always right to educate and encourage African American consumers to support Black businesses.  In order for our businesses to continue to be the economic engines of our community, we must increase our support of them. BBX provides another opportunity for businesses and community members to connect.  Not only have we relocated, but we have re-designed the show to be more community and consumer friendly.” Founded in 1989 by Barbara Lindsey as a way of introducing Black businesses to consumers, share information on entrepreneurism and business development and build long-term relationships, BBX has exposed thousands of small businesses and corporations to nearly a million attendees.  Several businesses have raised their profiles as a result of BBX attendance, according to Hambrick.  According to the latest business research, 1.5 million African Americans spend more than 9 billion dollars in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. _______________________________________________________________ BUSINESS PROFILE: Business Born at the Expo:  The Watts Coffee House Story By Isidra Person-Lynn Here is a quick interview with Desiree Edwards, Owner At this 21st Los Angeles Black Business Expo, the Watts Coffee House will be a featured business, offering its famous Yard Bird (fried chicken) and fries (the real kind!) Founder Desiree Edwards took a break to tell the amazing story of how it all started 16 years ago: Back around 1995, the entrepreneurial Desiree Edwards operated a balloon business and worked in telecommunications corporate management in Sherman Oaks. Her friend Karen Coleman asked if she would make some Turkey Wings for and event Velma Oden was planning at her job at Hubert Humphrey Medical Center.  Desi agreed and “put her foot in those wangs.” Velma’s husband, Dr. Clyde Oden was then the leader of Watts Health Systems, and the board needed some catering for an event after having fallen out with their regular caterer.  Upon hearing the raving about Desi’s wings, Karen’s mother Phyllis Coleman asked Desi to cater the luncheon.  “It was about 100 degrees, but I made turkey and dressing.  Word got around about that crazy girl who cooked all that good food in that heat, and the next thing I knew I was in as the regular caterer and they had many events.  I was still working at my corporate job so I would hire helpers, get up get everything ready and leave my helper there to serve and I would go to work.” She became friendly with the WattsHealth staff which included Harold Hambrick, now Expo president, who would book her for various catering jobs.  “He’d say, ‘I only have $500 but we have to feed 200 people so make it work’ and then he’d add ‘Just don’t run out of food,’ ” Desi remembered. When Harold Hambrick became  more heavily involved in the Los Angeles Black Business Expo, Desi began to Exhibit her catering services  One day Harold asked her to meet him at what was formerly the Relish House.  “He asked me if I would like to put my business in there? ‘Sure!’ I said.  Then he made me take an oath, raise my right hand and repeat after him: ‘I understand y’all not going to give me a dime. Whatever I’m doing, I am doing on my own.’ “ She named her business Watts Coffee House, introduced it at the Black Business Expo and continued to exhibit her catering services but attendees would want to come patronize her. “Finally in 1997, I decided to open. People always ask me if I took a loan.  No, I made up a menu, which Dean Jones typed up all nice on some pretty paper, went to the store and bought some groceries and came in here and opened up!” When you go to the Watts Coffee House, at Wilmington and 103rd Street, the homey decor which Harold had a big hand in, is also somewhat of an historic shrine to notables who have patronized the Watts Coffee House.  Desi catered for the Steve Harvey Morning Show for years, and had done a lot with KJLH.  Steve Harvey, Stevie Wonder, NFL Coach Pete Carroll and so many more notables have brought their entourages to come and eat and sign her walls. Her restaurant is adjacent to a larger auditorium and many events have taken place, included her legendary, mouth watering Sunday Brunches, which offer live entertainment. “But what I love about this place is that it was also designed as a training module for resident graduates from the house of Uhuru, the drug rehabilitation program of WattsHealth. Dr. Oden and others required those big hotels where they spent a lot of money to train and hire the Uhuru graduates and this was another module for the training. I also like the fact that residents of the area have somewhere to go  to sit down and eat.  It took the community 4 years before they were comfortable enough to come in and sit down.  They would come to the door and order food, but not come in. They would order bread, meat and cheese, no condiments, lettuce tomato or anything. I told them to tell us how they wanted it and we would fix it just for them. And when they would eat here they would rake their plates and wipe off tables.  I had to tell them, ‘this is your place.  Come in and relax. We have people to do that for you.’  Now when someone comes from out of town they proudly bring them here to eat. Hambrick and Desi has planned a WattStax reunion in late August. Plans for the future?  “There are developers trying to get me to open up another location, but right now, my first priority is my Dad who is ill.”  Not too long ago she lost her entrepreneurial mom so this latest health challenge weighs heavily. Duty calls and she is planning to be by his side. Prayers for your Dad and your family, Desi from your admirers at the Expo! Phone and Directions Watts Coffee House 1827 E 103rd St Los Angeles, CA 90002 Telephone: (323) 249-4343 Hours: Tue-Fri 8AM-3PM Sat 8AM-1PM Sun 10AM-4PM Directions: Located on the (NW) corner of 103rd and Wilmington Ave North of the 105 & East of the 110 Freeways http://wattscoffeehouse.com/ VIDEO–Harold Hambrick’s Plan In this pic, look behind the West Angeles Cathedral. Do you see the long, white building with the ridged roof?  That is where we will be Friday and Saturday, May 24 & 25, 2013 from Noon-8 p.m. right at Crenshaw and Exposition Boulevards in L.A. Thanks to Facebook, Twitter, and UPS, we are in touch! This Memorial Day weekend, let’s find each other again, face to face, and tell one another some good news. In this film, Harold Hambrick, Expo President explains just how this year’s show will be staged:(Click the photo to see the movie). Produced by Isidra Person-Lynn, House of the Rising Sons Media Group. EXHIBITORS, SIGN UP HERE! Want more info about prices?  Log on to www.BlackBusinessExpo.com, click “Exhibitors” and download the Exhibitor Kit, complete with price list, booth sizes, registration form, hours, etc. CALL WITH ANY QUESTIONS: (323) 810-4752. With only 24 days until the Expo, decide today for the best location. Expo Info: The Expo Office is located in the OneUnited Bank building at 3683 Crenshaw Blvd, Ste. 501, Los Angeles, CA 90016, 5th Floor. Call (323) 810-4752 The Hangar is located one half block East of Crenshaw.  The entrance is closer to Exposition, half block behind West Angeles Cathedral.   Where are they now?  We would love to profile your business if you were a youth that grew up at the Expo and now own a business, like Jarim Person-Lynn, author “Brass Knuckle Finance” and the upcoming book “This is Why You’re Broke.” Jarim will again be an exhibitor at the 2013 Expo. Spread the Word:  “Like” our Facebook Page, Follow us on Twitter @BlackBusExpo and on our website, click  “Posts” for the latest Expo Update.

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Expo News as of May 14, 2013: This Year Admission is Free!

No time to read? We’ll read it to you! Listen to this!

 

THIS YEAR: FREE ADMISSION TO THE EXPO!

Expo President Harold Hambrick announced today that the L.A. Black Business Expo Admission price of $5 has been waived for 2013!  Bring family and friends on Memorial Day weekend Friday and Saturday, May 24 and 25th, 2013, from Noon til 8 p.m.

 

On Friday May 24:

10:30 AM:  Opening Ceremonies and honors for community standouts including L.A. County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas

McDonald’s Smoothie Truck will be on hand!

Friday at 6 p.m. PRAISE DANCING Features Imani Mayfield

Business Spotlight

Olu Alemoru, writer for WAVE Newspapers and his London-based sister are releasing an animated film called Nutmeg.  Here is a Sneak Peek:

 

Help Us Spread the Word on your blog, newspaper, or broadcast:

For Immediate Release:

Black Business Expo Slated to Empower SoLA Community

            The Black Business Expo (BBX) is back, and this time, the economic extravaganza will be held in the heart of the African American Community.

Scheduled for Friday, May 24 and Saturday, May 25, noon to 8 p.m., activities will take place in “The Hangar” behind the West Angeles Cathedral on Crenshaw and Exposition Boulevards (a few steps from the Metro Train station).  The opening ceremony will be held on Friday, May 24 at 10:30 a.m.

Admission as well as parking will be free.

Sponsored by OneUnited Bank, West Angeles Church and Watts Healthcare, BBX will continue the events for which it has become known, including the Tom Bradley Business Institute; Tastin’ Black Culture Food court, West Coast GospeLive, Health & Fitness Pavilion, Fashion, Art Zone, Kid’s World and much more.

“This year, more than ever, it is important to empower our South Los Angeles (SoLA) community,” said Harold Hambrick, BBX Executive Director. “The time is always right to educate and encourage African American consumers to support Black Businesses.  In order for our businesses to continue to be the economic engines of our community, we must increase our support of them. BBX provides another opportunity for businesses and community members to connect.  Not only have we relocated, but we have re-designed the show to be more community and consumer friendly.”

Founded in 1989 by Barbara Lindsey as a way of introducing Black businesses to consumers, share information on entrepreneurism and business development and build long-term relationships, BBX has exposed thousands of small businesses and corporations to nearly a million attendees.  Several businesses have raised their profiles as a result of BBX attendance, according to Hambrick.  According to the latest business research, 1.5 million African Americans spend more than 9 billion dollars in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.

For information or vendor booth registration, call (323) 290-4743 or visit www.blackbusinessexpo.com

 

Do you own a business? Let us support you!

Jarim Person-Lynn is an advertising exec by day and counsels thousands on personal finances in the evenings. He has a second book coming out titled “This is Why You’re Broke.” His first DJing job was with another Expo exhibitor. He went on to become an exhibitor himself! He is an Expo success story!

We have 32 Days Until the Los Angeles Black Business Expo (May 24 & 25) and we need to hear from you!

Please let us know about your business so we may support you here on www.BlackBusinessExpo.com.

Did you work at the Expo as a youth and now have your own business? We will be profiling you, so send us a shout at info@blackbusinessexpo.com.

Do you serve customers in the Los Angeles area?

Have you lost touch with a business you met at the Expo

Are you in a partnership with another business you met at the Expo?

We want to hear your stories and help you tell them.  The earlier you sign up, the more time we have to promote you!

Have you seen Suite Event’s shout out for the L.A. Black Business Expo?

 

Exhibitor Prices (fees) now posted!

Please download our Exhibitor Kit (PDF) to see the variety of spaces available and their fees. But for those of you who want to see something right now:

Please download the entire registration kit for exhibitors. The registration form, fee info and everything you need is in there!

The Los Angeles Black Business Expo is Coming May 24 & 25!

Details to be posted soon!

The Los Angeles Black Business Expo(BBXLA) is back! This premiere networking event has moved to the “The Hangar” at West Angeles Cathedral located at Crenshaw and Exposition Boulevards, the crossroads of South L.A.

There is a beautiful story about how all this is unfolding.  We will surely tell it, but first, we are getting set up and getting everything in place.

Click to enlarge our flyer and spread the word!  If you are in business, reach out to us today at (323) 810-4752.  Thousands of your customers will be waiting to meet you!

Reserve your space today!

Please “Like” our Facebook Page when you get a chance!

Retro: The Very First My World Podcast Featured the BBXLA!

This  episode of My World Podcast featured the 2006 Expo, when Wendy Raquel Robinson and Malik Yoba were spokespersons. It also featured those plumbers from LRS Services Plumbing. The shoot was conducted by photographer Leroy Hamilton and Rene Cross Washington was the creative director.  Harold Hambrick, Executive Producer brought us all together complete with wardrobe, makeup, hair and craft services by Watts Coffee House. There are more Expo videos, too featuring many of our exhibitors.  We’re having fun looking back as we look forward to the 2013 Expo May 24 & 25!

To go forward, we must sometimes look back!

It is sometimes beneficial to randomly look back sometimes.  This is what we posted about the making of the video above  in 2008:

Greetings all!

We’ve just launched the 2008 Los Angeles Black Business Expo (BBX) website! Please go towww.blackbusinessexpo.com to check out our Expo celebrity spokesperson Wendy Raquel Robinson (Star of “The Game”), and her students from her successful business Amazing Grace Conservatory.

Isidra Person-Lynn, who designed our fabulous web site and shot and produced the video, urges you to contact her if you find something that needs our attention:look@isidrapersonlynn.com. You know how new websites can be!

The 2008 Expo Photo Shoot was staged at the Watts Coffee House (they have a large adjacent hall–where they hold their scrumptious Sunday Brunches–and this month’s featured video takes you behind the scenes. Be among the first to meet

tomorrow’s stars today – K’la, Tristen and Matthew–handpicked by Wendy from AGC. They gave us a big assist with this year’s media campaign. We thank Leroy Hamilton (Photography by Hamilton), Rene Cross Washington (RCWGrafx), Desiree Edwards (Watts Coffee House) and Isidra Person-Lynn (House of the Rising Sons Media) for their hard work over the years. New this year were Aishah

Williams (hair) and Mecca Dickerson (makeup). We appreciate the flavor they added as well. What a day!

This is our 20th anniversary of the Expo, and we want all former exhibitors and participants to join us Sept. 5-7, 2008 at the L.A. Convention Center for this historic event.

Congratulations to those who took advantage of our special $100 discount! We will profile more of these forward thinking business owners soon.

Please browse around…and let us know what you think here and at www.blackbusinessexpo.com. Feel free to leave a comment.

The 20 years was worth it. We are so excited, we cannot wait to see you September 5-7! Call (323) 290-4743 for your exhibitor space today!

Harold Hambrick,

President,

BBX ’08

info@blackbusinessexpo.com

Pictured above from left clockwise: Aishah Williams (Hair), Harold Hambrick (BBX President), Wendy Raquel Robinson (AGC, the Game and long time Expo Spokesperson), Leroy Hamilton (Photographer), Mecca Dickerson (Makeup), Rene Cross Washington (Graphic Design), Tristen Carter, Matthew Elam and K’la Palmer. Photo by Isidra Person-Lynn