Montgomery County will host its inaugural Black Author and Business Expo on Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, bringing together more than 100 Black authors, entrepreneurs and community leaders under one roof.

The free event, organized by the county’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the Commerce Department, runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Hall D of the expo center. It is timed to coincide with Black Business Month 2026.

Centered on the theme “Stories. Innovation. Legacy. Impact,” the expo is designed to promote literacy, economic opportunity, entrepreneurship and community connection, the county said.

Organizers pointed to research from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency showing that minority-owned businesses continue to face persistent barriers to capital, technical assistance and growth networks. Data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has found that Black entrepreneurs are nearly three times more likely than white entrepreneurs to see business growth and profitability suffer from a lack of financial capital.

The expo aims to address those disparities by providing a space for education, networking and direct access to resources that support business sustainability and expansion, according to the county.

Vendor registration has closed, but attendee registration remains open through the county’s website.

Those interested in sponsoring or volunteering at the event can contact Ashley Faison at the county’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at 610-278-3291 or by email at [email protected].