Black Expos of America, Inc.
A public service of the Los Angeles Black Business Expo (BBX)
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BLACK EXPOS OF AMERICA, Inc.
History
The first black expo geared toward African-Americans was held in 1895 in
Atlanta to help further educate Americans on African-American
accomplishments.
Even though many African-Americans (freed and otherwise) were already
credited with numerous inventions and technological advancements which
helped to modernize this country, during the years of slavery and for
the three decades following emancipation, expositions were held which
excluded African-Americans and their products and services. In 1895,
however, when Atlanta hosted the Cotton States and International
Exposition, the services and products of many African-American
entrepreneurs in America were showcased.
The Cotton States Exposition’s goals were to foster trade between
southern states and South American nations as well as to show the
products and facilities of the region to the rest of the nation and to
Europe. Over the three months of the Exposition, over 800,000 attendees
visited the event. There were exhibits by six states and special
buildings featuring the accomplishments of women and blacks. The “Negro
Building” included approximately 30,000 square feet.
During that year Booker T. Washington, Bishop W. J. Gaines of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church and other highly respected citizens
of Atlanta came together to discuss the inclusion of African-Americans
in the Cotton States and International Exposition. They believed that
the participation of African-Americans would show that the two races
(Black and Caucasian) shared common interests and concerns.
African-Americans were invited to create exhibits that highlighted their
achievements since the end of slavery. Freed men across the nation were
allowed to use “the Negro Building”—a 30,000 square foot (112 feet wide
and 270 feet and 70 feet high) structure – to show their wares.
African-Americans filled the building, producing their own exhibits and
raising all necessary funds as evidence of their self-sufficiency and a
show of their interest.
The building and exhibit was managed by a group of prominent
African-American men. This “Central Board,” which met at Clark
University, included such influentials as political leader and educator
Booker T. Washington and other African-American men of distinction from
across the nation.
The following review of African-Americans participation in the Cotton
States and International Exposition appeared in the Atlanta Constitution
in 1895; “As a businessman, the exhibit shows his banking and real
estate interests. As a mechanic, the exhibit shows him as a machinist,
carpenter, wheelwright, cabinet maker, upholsterer, inventor,
blacksmith, stone and brick mason, owner and maker of the finest quality
bricks. As an agriculturist, the exhibit proves him beyond doubt the
bone and sinew of the south. As an educator, the exhibit proves his
progress in art, sciences and literature. His paintings, decorations,
etc. and artistic needle work are proof of the strides he has made from
the pit in which he found himself 30 years ago and the rock from which
he has been hewn. As a scientist, the exhibit shows his knowledge of
scientific study and discovery. Given the history of the movement and
the exhibit of the colored people it is in no sense an unwise idea to
let the reader know why the Afro-American is happy to make such a
display of this progress.”
Chronological Listing of Founding of Black Expos
Including some of those that no longer exist.
Introduction of Black Expos of America (BEA)
In the spirit of Booker T. Washington and Bishop W. J. Gaines, we are
proud to announce the organizing of the first network of black expos
indepently operated throughout the United States, showcasing products
and services to African-American consumers spending over $799 billion
dollars annually through more than 1.2 million African-American
businesses nationwide. The African-American market is already larger
than the entire economies (GDP measured in U. S. dollars) of all but
nine countries in the world. As the U.S. consumer market becomes more
diverse, advertising, products, and media must be tailored to each
market segment.
African-American buying power has risen from $318 billion in 1990 to
$590 billion in 2000 to $799 billion in 2006 and a projected $1.1
Trillion in 2011. Blacks spend a high proportion of their money on
groceries, housing, women’s and girl’s clothing. These findings strongly
imply that utilities, natural gas. electricity, telephone services,
footwear, clothing firms and grocers would do well to market themselves
directly to black consumers. Only 74 per cent of black households own or
lease at least one vehicle compared to 90 per cent of non-black
households, which suggests a possible opportunity for market expansion
in years ahead for the auto industry.
Black Expos of America’s mission is to cultivate prosperity among
African-American businesses and organizations through strengthening and
enhancing the capabilities of the independently operated US-based black
expos to expand their cultural, entrepreneurial, social, educational and
business opportunity services to further enhance the quality of life of
African-American business owners and consumers. BEA seeks to connect
African-American consumers with African-American businesses and major
corporations nationwide by linking the service offerings of the US-based
black expos in a cost effective manner to create new business
opportunities.
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