Wilson Community College is hosting its third annual Black Business Expo Tuesday to celebrate entrepreneurship and economic empowerment while offering a look at what locally-owned businesses are offering.
“This is our big annual Black History Month event to celebrate local Black-owned businesses,” said Melody Parker-Eatmon, Wilson Community College’s director of academic support. “Our theme for the past three years has been health and prosperity. Students’ health impacts their performance, entrepreneurship and generational wealth. Getting students tools to speak to that theme is something that can really benefit our students the most.”
Tuesday’s expo will be held at the Frank L. Eagles Center from 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Parker-Eatmon said this year there were more registered participants than vendor spaces available. She said in total there will be 30 vendors set up who may provide samples, service previews, share information and host free raffles.
“This is a bridge between students and local Black entrepreneurs and celebrating businesses in resilience and economic empowerment,” Parker-Eatmon said. “We’re excited and looking forward to growing this event each and every year.”
Parker-Eatmon said two food vendors will be at the event to sell food to event-goers: Big Boys Bakery and Everette’s Concessions.
“I’m looking forward to meeting other Black business owners,” said Carl Graham, owner of Big Boys Bakery. “It’s a great event they put on every year. It’s just really good getting the word out, networking and seeing the success of other business owners.”
Graham has participated in the expo in years past, but this year he’s bringing his food truck featuring everything from sweet potato honey bun cakes to cookies, his own special lemonade and several flavors of cheesecake shooters.
“I’m just grateful to be able to participate,” Graham said. “Shoutout to Melody (Parker-Eatmon) for keeping me included. I don’t take that for granted.”
Parker-Eatmon said students will get a bonus from the food vendors for participating in the expo.
“This year students are working towards soft skills,” Parker-Eatmon said. “Students will be presented with a challenge, speaking to at least three vendors to work on communication skills. Those soft skills lead into real world skills. If they get three stamps from vendors on their passports, they’ll get a ticket for free food.”
Parker-Eatmon said the college will also have resources on campus for the small businesses themselves participating in the event through the Small Business Center and Self Help Credit Union.
Christopher Long is The Wilson Times’ business reporter. If you have ideas for this weekly column, reach out to him at 252-265-7821 or clong@wilsontimes.com.
