Black Women’s Expo to honor Sandra Bland
The Black Women’s Expo arrives this weekend with # SheMatters as the theme of the 22nd annual event, taking its cue from the # BlackLivesMatter movement whose founders recently were named among Fortune Magazine’s 2016 World’s 50 Greatest Leaders list.
The experiential expo, being held at McCormick Place April 8- 10, is expected to draw more than 30,000 visitors for three days of workshops, seminars, town halls and entertainment that attracts businesses targeting black consumers.
“At the Black Women’s Expo we’ve always championed the fact that black women matter, and we’ve sought to celebrate all the roles they fill in their family, career and community,” said Expo founder Merry Green. “This year’s theme of # SheMatters is a recognition of the times in which we find ourselves, and we plan to carry that message of support for black women across the country in 2016.”
Chicago is the first stop of a three- city tour that includes Atlanta and Washington, D. C. The expo features a host of national speakers and experts on topics from entrepreneurship and finance to career advancement and health and wellness. The event kicks off Thursday with the Phenomenal Woman Awards Gala.
An inaugural # SheMatters Award will be presented posthumously to Sandra Bland, the 28- year- old Naperville woman who authorities say hanged herself in a Texas jail cell on July 10, 2015. Bland’s was among a number of deaths in police custody or during arrest that propelled the # BlackLivesMatter movement. Her mother, Geneva Reed- Veal, whose family has a civil lawsuit pending in the case, will accept the award.
Being honored with Phenomenal Woman Awards this year are Democratic nominee for Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx; Corliss Garner of BMO Harris; Tor- rey Richardson of the Dear Father Letter Writing Movement; Carol “Safisha” Lee, operator of The Betty Shabazz International Charter Schools with her husband, Dr. Haki Madhubuti; JoAnne Glenn of the W. O. T. Foundation; the Rev. Janette Wilson of Rainbow/ PUSH; entrepreneur Fallon Johnson of Annie Bell Fragrances; Nicole Robinson of Mondelez International; and Angela Ingram of iHeart Media Markets Group.
Now the longest- running expo of its kind, the familyfocused event is expected to draw attendees from 14 surrounding states. It will feature a town hall meeting examining civil rights and police- involved shootings; and teen summit addressing black youth issues. Entertainment includes R& B artist Kelly Price on Saturday and gospel singer and composer Hezekiah Walker on Sunday.
More information can be found at www.theblackwomensexpo.com.