The Cleveland Metropolitan Area is home to more than one-quarter of Ohio’s African-American population. Black-owned businesses are on the rise across the region.
CLEVELAND — It’s a battle of the bands and more at the Wolstein Center. All to set the stage for local entrepreneurs to shine.
“We got food, we got music, we got gospel, we got vendors,” a business owner tells the 3News camera.
This is the 8th annual Black Business Expo, a collaboration with the Real Black Friday and Music Through the Streets, bringing exposure to the wide range of Black-owned businesses in Northeast Ohio.
“We create these events to create, allow them to bring awareness of their businesses and create access and opportunities for them,” LaRese Purnell the Founder and President of the Real Black Friday said.
Art, clothing and spiritual gifts are a small sampling of what 65 featured businesses that took advantage of the expo.
“We are a one-stop center for kids ages 6 to 13,” said Paige Ross who owns iPlay Entertainment Center.
iPlay offers after-school enrichment programs like hip-hop dance, taekwondo and yoga.
“It’s just a great opportunity for the vendors to get some exposure. There are going to be so many people here in this here in the building tonight,” said Ross.
Supporting young businesses that may not have the marketing dollars to get their name out is key.
“This allows us to market for them to hopefully bring business to their business, you know, and it gives them an opportunity to meet new people that may never come through their doors,” explained Purnell.
Businesses like Yoruba Queen Creations, an Afrocentric boutique, featuring headwraps, incense and soap.
“My favorite is that African fans, they are coming in one of a kind like this, they’re leather,” said the owner of Yoruba Queen Creations, E-Marie Ladejobi.
Meeting other vendors allows owner confidence to grow.
“Gives you good ideas of what the people are like, how different we are, but we still come together, and we can grow, make our business grow,” stated Ladejobi.
De’stiny’s Blessing sold several of their waist beads in the first hour. And that’s what LaRese Purnell wants this expo to do, tap into the 1 trillion-plus dollars of black spending power in America.
“If we support them, then they continue to exist. And not only do they impact their families, but they impact those that work for them and the community that’s around them,” said Purnell.
The hype and fanfare of this year’s Black Business Expo delivered. And wrapped up with a promise of more excitement ahead.
“Got a lot more coming. So, stay tuned for 2024,” said Purnell.
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