NEW MEXICO 2018 BLACK EXPO
The New Mexico Black Expo, sponsored by the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs, continues to be one of the most important annual events that provides opportunities for small black business owners to display their products and services to a large audience in a single setting. Although, historically, Black Expos, by design, are focused on Black businesses, the outreach of the Office of African American Affairs to address Economic Empowerment, Health Care Advocacy, Education Advancement, Policy and Advocacy and Community Development, provides a perfect venue for organizations, churches, and educational structures, as well, to partner with equal importance in the New Mexico Black Expo.
On Friday, June 23rd the Black Expo opened with the Black Child Wellness Summit with professionals in the field, with community leaders, discussing statistics and strategies to address issues facing the Black Child in New Mexico. The day also included an ‘Outstanding Awards Luncheon’ honoring 50 individuals from around the state of New Mexico who have contributed to the advancement of Black people in education, economics and health.
The entertainment presentations, at the New Mexico Black Expo, have always been of high quality and have been highly lauded and well received. The 2018 program slated included highly entertaining talent by local and professional entertainers from within and outside the State. This year, the Black Expo had a venue change from the downtown Civic Plaza to The Villa Hispana Pavilion-Expo New Mexico, which may have contributed to slightly lower participation numbers. But, the added protective covering, provided by the trees and surrounding structures, proved to be a blessing on an extremely hot day.
The cultural celebration of the Black Expo featured food vendors, health and education fairs, and a Children’s Corner. The entertainment featured a delightfully varied and competitive Apollo Talent Contest, followed by a very entertaining ‘Hair Battle’ featuring presentations choreographed by local barbers and hair stylists.
The New Mexico Black Expo concluded with music from three extraordinarily gifted professionals, Phil French, from Texas, Zebulon Ellis, from Georgia, and Niki J. Crawford, from California.
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