(Photo By Flickr User Nicki Mannix)
Get ready, family for the 19th Annual Central Illinois Black Expo coming to the Peoria Civic Center!
The Central Illinois Black Expo is a multicultural event with a unique mix of fun activities, exhibitors, workshops, games, entertainment and more for the entire family!
The Expo begins with the “Passing the Torch” Teen Summit from 9am – 11am for ages 13 to 19 featuring Peoria District 150’s Woodruff Career and Technical Center. This powerful Teen Summit will include a variety of motivational speakers equipped to empower our youth. This event will include a Real World Opportunity Fair showcasing various programs with opportunities focusing on different careers and industries.
New This Year:
Business Workshops – The Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce has expanded their Building Your Business and Creating Wealth workshops adding Health Care and Black Media Forums
to create even more comprehensive panels designed to inform and help to move your business to the next level.
Retail Shopping Area – lots of free product sampling and a variety of exciting merchandise.
Gospel Fest – Do you like Gospel music, then don’t miss the Gospel Fest with groups from around Central Illinois. Who will take home the top prize? Auditions will be held mid-September with the finalist performing at the Expo on Saturday, October 10, 2015 starting at 4:00 PM. For information on auditions, call 309-672-1374.
“Passing the Torch” Competition for Entrepreneurs and Future CEOs – The Central Illinois Black Expo believes in developing and promoting entrepreneurship by introducing two Entrepreneur Competitions. First, they are inviting entrepreneurs of all ages from Illinois to present their business model to an exclusive panel of judges to compete for venture capital and operational services.
Then, the Expo welcomes College Students from around the state to come and participate in this year’s very first Young Entrepreneurs “Passing the Torch” Business Competition. Students will have the opportunity to pitch their entrepreneurial ideas and products to a panel of experts, investors, and business people for an opportunity to win venture capital, mentorship, and operational services for their business model.
“Lord Mic” Williiams (Marketing and Public Relations Director for the Illinois State and the Peoria Black Chamber of Commerce, Radio Personality) said,
“This is a fantastic chance for teens to get engaged and to find out about different opportunities in Health Occupations, the Construction Trades, Culinary Arts, Cosmetology, and Engineering & Electronics, to name a few. Young people will have an opportunity to interact in real time with real businsses,organizations, and institutions that have career, trade, and professional opportunities that are readily available throughout Central Illinois.”
Both competitions will give aspiring entrepreneurs an opportunity to get critical feedback and direction from key business professionals and industry leaders. Contact us at 309-740-4430 for more details.
Movie Premier/Avantgarde Fashion Show – Last year the Expo included “Fashion Unveiled” with Namia Mora, fashion model, America’s Next Top Model winner, and author of “Model Behavior”. This year don’t miss the movie premier with live performances and Avantgarde Fashion presented by the XFactor Agency.
Also At The Expo:
-Over 100 exhibitors from around the state showcasing various products and food.
-The popular Back to School Hair Cut-A-Thon with FREE haircuts for the kids.
-An expanded exposition of Woodruff’s Career and Technical Center’s Cosmetology Program with live hair demonstrations and hair braiding.
-An expanded interactive Health and Wellness Fair with free screenings.
The Expo celebrates 19 years on Saturday, October 10, 2015 from 11AM – 7PM in Exhibit Halls B and C at the Peoria Civic Center. Admission is Free.
If you are interested in being an Expo exhibitor, a sponsor, or a volunteer, call 309-672-1374 for more information.
Don’t miss this year’s 19th Annual Central Illinois Black Expo!
