MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The 2nd Annual Black Business and Community Expo was held on Saturday at the Macon Coliseum. It brought together the local community to participate in a celebration of entrepreneurship and empowerment. The event featured a diverse range of activities, including entertainment, food, and opportunities to support local Black-owned businesses.
Influential leaders from across Middle Georgia took the stage to hold panel discussions, emphasizing the importance of community engagement and economic development. Notable figures such as Anita Howard, the first Black District Attorney for the Macon Judicial Circuit, and LaRhonda Patrick, the first Black female Mayor of Warner Robins, were present at the event. Mayor Patrick officially declared September 21st as “Black Business and Community Expo” Day in Warner Robins.
Alex Habersham, Founder & Publisher of Macon Middle Georgia Black Pages & Founder of the Central Georgia Coalition of Black Businesses, emphasized the importance of supporting and improving Black businesses, saying, “Economic development interaction, Retail commerce is good for the entire community. All of these are good, you know. So if, in fact, we are successful in improving these Black businesses, the African-American then everybody benefits.
The event also featured celebrity guest Ash Cash, a personal finance expert known for his widely popular podcast “Inside the Vault with Ash Cash.” During a panel discussion, Ash Cash shared tips for achieving financial freedom, offering practical advice to the attendees. Adding to the star-studded lineup, Marsau & Latisha Scott, stars of “Love & Marriage: Huntsville,” emphasized the importance of sharing their knowledge and experience in business, saying, “It’s important to us to share our knowledge and experience in business. All highs and lows in business. We just want to let other small business owners know that you’re going to fail or make mistakes, but overall, it pays off. So that’s why it’s important to us to share our knowledge, and to give back and support other businesses.”
The event also featured an awards ceremony honoring four esteemed individuals. The awards are named in honor of some of Middle Georgia’s most notable figures, recognizing the impact and influence they have.
Sylvia McGee, a veteran educator and community leader, was presented with the Ruth Hartley Mosley Community Impact Award. C. Jack Ellis, the first African American Mayor of Macon, was honored with the Jefferson Franklin Long Government Impact Award. Anthony Howard, a serial entrepreneur and world-traveling musician, received the Albert Billingslea Business Impact Award. Derrick “DC” Chatman and Shirley “Mama Mia” Ellis, both recently inducted into the National Black Radio Hall of Fame, were awarded the Black Pages Media Maven Award.
Pastor Troy – Legendary Georgia Recording Artist, was also in attendance and ended the jam-packed day with some moving songs! The event was hosted by Mama Mia and Derrick Chatman, National Black Radio Hall of Fame Radio Inductees, along with Harold Young from Praise 99.5 and Executive Director of the Tubman Museum and Reporter/Weather forecaster Fiona King from 41NBC News.