Empowering Black entrepreneurs: Annual expo connects community and commerce | Mid-Missouri News

COLUMBIA — A record 62 vendors were in attendance for Columbia College’s sixth-annual Black Business Expo on Saturday.Small businesses from various backgrounds showcased their products to the community and other local businesses.Baked goods, books, makeup products, financial literacy courses and homemade skincare products filled the gymnasium as aspiring Black and minority entrepreneurs from across mid-Missouri shared their passions.”This expo provides many opportunities for the community to network together and make black and minority-owned small business known,” Columbia College spokesman Sam Fleury said.The expo also began with an opening ceremony showcasing local talent. More than $40,000 of products were sold at last year’s expo. The James and Annelle Whitt Entrepreneurial Development Foundation partners with Columbia College to annually host the event.The foundation was founded in 2018, and is dedicated to preserving the history of the Sharp End, Columbia’s historic Black business district, and continuing the legacy of James A. Whitt, who worked as a economic and social diversity consultant for the city of Columbia.

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