Cville Black Business Expo Joins Local Juneteenth Celebration on June 15
Free event features vendors, panel discussions, musical artists, kids play area, and more...
The 8th annual Charlottesville-Albemarle Black Business Expo is back for 2024 with a new date and location. This year's Expo will take place on Saturday, June 15, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. It is co-located with Charlottesville's Juneteenth celebration at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center. The event is free and open to everyone.
This year’s Black Business Expo includes an exhibition of dozens of booths operated by Black-owned businesses, three panel discussions by leading professionals, a business pitch competition with cash prizes, live music entertainment, a kids play area, and more.
“These business owners are part of the bedrock of our local small business economy,” said Ty Cooper, director of the Expo. “The event is a chance for the public to meet and support them, and for business owners to network and grow.”
At 11 a.m., the Juneteenth welcome will include a libation and performance of the Negro National Anthem, followed by an Emancipation Concert until 3 p.m. featuring multiple performances. Among them are Ezra Hamilton, who has spent three decades captivating audiences with his soulful voice, smooth guitar skills, and infectious stage presence. And Ellis Williams, an inspirational musical storyteller and trumpet virtuoso whose music holds no boundaries.
“This year’s entertainment is top notch. I hope that all kinds of people will come out to experience the grooves, connect with each other, and learn more about these black-owned small businesses,” said Nathan Moore, General Manager of WTJU 91.1 FM, which co-organizes the Expo.
Attendance at Juneteenth and the Black Business Expo is not limited to African Americans. Everyone is warmly invited to attend this free public event. More info at BlackBusinessExpo.org. Businesses can reserve their booth now by filling out the registration form at the website.
The Charlottesville-Albemarle Black Business Expo started in fall 2017 in the wake of the “Unite the Right” rally. Expo organizers sought to contribute to a more just and equitable Charlottesville in two ways: contributing to job development and the health of our local economy; and sustaining a vibrant music & arts community with opportunities for broad participation and engagement.
The Expo is generously supported by Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, City of Charlottesville, United Way of Greater Charlottesville, Community Investment Collaborative, C-Ville Weekly, and CBS19.