This holiday season many consumers are looking to buy from African-American businesses. The Black Expo East can help you do just that. It will present the New York Black Expo Buy Black Holiday Weekend on December 21 at Manhattan’s Metropolitan Pavilion.
The New York Black Expo will focus on empowering the community, business, education and the health of African Americans. Open to everyone at an affordable admission price, the event will include a business expo, old school music concert, fashion, comedy show and face-painting for children.
Mark Anthony Jenkins, CEO of New York Black Expo, admits it has been a challenge to execute the Expo in the current economic climate. “At other expos around the country, fewer vendors are signing up due to the financial crisis. It is the same with New York as vendors slowly sign up for the pre-launch of New York Black Expo being held Saturday, December 21, 2013,” says Jenkins. There hasn’t been a Black Expo event in about 15 years. The goal this year is to have at least 50 vendors.
But it seems the public is ready to shop at the Expo. “The public is inquiring and want to know what speakers or celebrities are scheduled to appear at the New York Black Expo. So far for celebrities, we have Melba Moore, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Flo Anthony, Robin Montague and Karen Taylor Bass,” says Jenkins. This is the pre-launch of the New York Black Expo.
Timing will also be key to the Expo’s success. “The last weekend before Christmas is the busiest time of the season. No one shops at Black-owned businesses but that is going to change from this year on. We will target consumers to turn their green dollars into Black dollars to support Black-owned businesses on December 21, 2013,” declares Jenkins. “I believe the Black consumer is looking more and more to ‘buy black’, but they are looking for quality products and services.”
The Expo will allow consumers to connect with businesses they previously weren’t aware of. “Consumers get a chance to purchase products and services directly from Black-owned businesses that they would not normally hear about or see in their community,” notes Jenkins.
And for small businesses, it gives them exposure to the masses in one day. “Expos are great for small businesses especially Black-owned small businesses. Expos give small businesses an opportunity to market, advertise and promote their business,” Jenkins points out.
Following the New York Black Expo Buy Black Holiday Weekend, Jenkins is planning the official Summer Celebration launch for The New York Black Expo on June 6-8, 2014.
