From haircare to bakery treats, creative branding to mobile bartending and much more, 杏吧视频 is presenting its third annual Black Business Expo.
The event, from noon to 6 p.m. Wed., Feb. 12, at the Tinkham Veale University Center, serves two main purposes: to introduce and promote more than 40 Black-owned businesses (see list below) in Greater Cleveland to potential customers, while providing the vendors resources to enhance their enterprises.
Black business owners will have the opportunity to network and learn from financial literacy experts鈥攁nd to sell their goods and services to the public.
鈥淎s a pillar of the city, seated in the heart of Cleveland's vibrant Black community, 杏吧视频 seeks to celebrate Black entrepreneurship, honor Black culture and serve as a resource for our local community,鈥 said Robert Solomon, vice president of the Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Engagement.
The expo is designed to provide valuable information, education and product exposure for Black-owned businesses.
The expo will be presented in two parts: The morning session, featuring a lineup of speakers, is specifically offered for business owners registered as vendors. The afternoon session is an opportunity for vendors to market and sell their products.
Scheduled speakers
- A representative of the , the African American Business Chamber of Commerce, will focus on understanding business strategies to build business for Black business owners.
- Mary Luberger, from 杏吧视频鈥檚 Procurement and Distribution Services, will explain the processes involved in becoming a vendor through procurement with the university.
- U.S. Bank representative Norlynn Story, will discuss the bank鈥檚 services available to underserved business owners.
- Representatives of UBIZ Venture Capital, established with support from the Urban League of Greater Cleveland, will discuss the UBIZ program that focuses on minority owned businesses.
- Meltrice Sharp, of CLEConsulting Firm, will provide financial literacy for business owners.
鈥淭hrough this initiative,鈥 said Heather Burton, associate vice president and senior director for faculty and institutional diversity, 鈥渢he office aims to support Black business and introduce the CWRU community to local Black business to be a catalyst in diversifying the university's vendor options.鈥
2025 Black Business Expo Vendors
- Anita鈥檚 Sweet Treats Bakery
- Balance Cheer and Gymnastics
- Bomani Beauty MD
- Bougie Berets N鈥 Such
- Brwn In A Box LLC
- Chandler Advocacy
- Cleveland Inner City Ballet
- CoCo's Butter
- Cote d'ivoire Boutique
- Covermecutee
- Crafted Condiments
- Creative Leo Designs
- DCB Spaces LLC
- Diversified Gifts and Awards
- Divine By Design $5 Boutique
- Executive Pro Cleaning Agency
- Fine Fresh Treats
- HoneyDippedFacials LLC
- Hopson Communication & Coaching, LLC
- Indy Vision LLC
- Integrated Abba Kreations
- Just Bloom LLC
- Komplex Kocktails
- Lauren's Herbal Apothecary
- Learn with Pace
- LT Squared
- M&T Massage Therapy LLC
- Max & Alayna鈥檚 Paws Play Ltd
- Mayne Attraction Studios
- Mind Elevation University
- Monica's Boutique
- Precious Things
- Realty Maul LLC
- Soulful of Myself
- Successful Classroom Management LLC
- Superpower Planner
- The Cape Beauty Salon
- The Significance Group
- Tucker Accessories
- Unforgettable Style LLC
- Webbd Publishing Co
- Wellness Now Collection
- Zae & Sam Bath Bombs
