The Black Expo of Networking, Knowledge, and Empowerment
This blog is independently written by #MyQuestToTeach
The information is strictly the opinion of its writer.
William Jackson, M.Ed. CVO My Quest To Teach
@wmjackson Twitter
Contributions are provided by left to right:
Elisha Taylor student at Duval County Public Schools
and speaker with TEDxFSCJ Salon
Young lady name not provided
Deyona Burton student in Duval County Public Schools
Community Activist
Taylor Richardson student at The Bolles School
Literacy Advocate and Aspiring Astronaut
Jon Gregory
Edward Waters College Student
Graduate of Bolles High School
Speaker at TEDxFSCJ and EdCamp NABSE
Networking and sharing knowledge and wisdom
Ryan of Ngoma Thunder Drum Troop
The Black Expo provides a wonderful opportunity
for businesses, entrepreneurs, performers and even
youth, teens and young adults to show the community what they are about. How they can better engage and participate in making the community better for everyone in the areas of business, commerce, investments and building needed collaborations.
Networking is a learned experience that youth,
teens and young adults need to understand now
at a young age to prepare them for future business,
civic and community collaborations and projects.
Many have a business dream, but do not have access
to the resources that allow the dream to come into
fruition. The mental spark is there, but the kindling
needs to be provided to build the fire of production
so it starts to burn hot and bright. Leading to a
viable and strong business that
contributes to the community.
Financial management advice……
Each year the Black Expo embraces, recognizes,
and awards business owners, visionaries,
entrepreneurs, innovators, and smart creatives.
Their passions that drive them are inspiring
and lead to continued opportunities to hire
and mentor others with the same interests.
Even in business it takes a village because
the village will buy, barter, and have access to the services the business provides. Building that business because the relationship is based on trust, respect, and the accountability of providing a service and need for the community.
Many that attend the Black Expo, from our
observations are looking for that spark of inspiration,
that opportunity to gain the knowledge that will
allow them to follow their dreams and to help their
business. Potentially hiring new people, providing
educational training and financing investments to
the community.
Small business is the glue that bonds communities
and allows for re-investments.
Technology has allowed many to connect with each
other and build a network of clients and partnerships.
The statements that many are starting to embrace is, “don’t look at your business competitor as competition, but an opportunity for collaboration.”
Hello Tee – http://www.shophellotee.com
In order for businesses to be recognized, Social Media
is not the end all and be all, it contributes, but nothing
beats meeting and greeting people with a handshake and a smile. Sharing information and “word of mouth” alliances.
As an Educational Technology and Social Media instructor
at Edward Waters College, it is a requirement for my
students to blog about their interests, passions, abilities, and skills. Building their Brand and understanding how important a digital presence is, but more important building relationships in the community.
Volunteering, mentoring and helping outside of the
business brings exposure and respect to the business.
As I talk to youth, teens and young adults at local and
national conferences it is valuable because the information
they gain is relevant and can be applied to their goals.
Youth, teens and young adults that have a business
mindset must be taught things that are relevant to them
for the now and how it influences their future.
Moxie Girl and Gabby
The Black Expo is a part of the building process to
put people together, a platform where handshakes are exchanged, business cards are flowing and smiles are shared. Before many do business they establish a relationship based on trust and
mutual respect.
The business package starts with building of relationships, having a solid brand and knowing your niche. Developing a marketing strategy that is a living document with multifaceted avenues to
provide streams of revenue not just from one source,
but dynamically creating a continuous path to
making money, and just as importantly
re-energizing the community with investments
in people.
The desire to gain business power should never
be the priority over humanity. It is the people that
are the ones that will help build a business or allow
that business to wither away. The youth, teens and
young adults attending should be embraced, mentored
and provided role models so they can achieve their
dreams as future business owners.
Youth, teens and young adults are contributing
to business success models.
Too many times there are gaps in education, political influence, economic stability, diversity in commerce and generational wealth is lacking. Venues like the Black Expo are proved as viable, solid and productive Black businesses that are influencing the community in positive ways and showing each generation of youth that they do have alternatives to potentially dangerous and illegal activities. There is life in following positive people doing positive things through education, hard work, networking, technology, and investments.
Support Black Businesses because these Black
businesses support the communities they are
established in, by providing needed tax revenue,
mentors, role models and job opportunities.
Pro. Wm Jackson, Blogger and Author Harold Harvey
author of “Justice in the Round”
Essay on the American Jury System
Resources:
15th Annual Florida Black Expo
https://www.facebook.com/BlackExpoSouth/
Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/afwa-winter-tini-social-tickets-30220477261?aff=erelexpmlt
30th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/30th-annual-martin-luther-king-jr-breakfast-presented-by-florida-blue-tickets-29893201370?aff=erellivmlt
Women In Insurance and Financial Services
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/northeast-florida-wifs-january-luncheon-registration-29789105015?aff=erelexpmlt
Sun Entertainment
http://suncityentertainment.com/florida-black-expo.php
Black Expo South
http://blackexposouth.com/
Florida Black Expo
http://blackexposouth.com/florida-black-expo/
My Quest to Teach
http://myquesttoteach.wordpress.com/
Business Training and Collaboration
http://www.e3businessgroup.us/
1st Annual Community Film Festival
Daytona Beach, Florida
FreshBookFestivals@gmail.com
(386) 627-4353
EduMatch 