Charleston County News Release
MEDIA CONTACT
Name: Jennie Davis, Charleston County Public Information Officer
Phone: 843.958.4012
Email: jdavis@charlestoncounty.org
Release Number: 2981
Date: March 3, 2009
Charleston County is Platinum Sponsor of the 2009 Black Expo
Expo events run March 12 – 14, 2009
For the fourth year in a row, Charleston County Government will sponsor a local event, the Ninth Annual Black Expo. The Black Expo will run from Thursday, March 12, through Saturday, March 14, at the North Charleston Convention Center (5001 Coliseum Drive; North Charleston, SC 29418).
As a platinum sponsor, Charleston County Government contributed $60,000 to the 2009 Black Expo.
“Charleston County Government is excited to take a lead in the Black Expo again this year,” said Evelyn DeLaine-Hart, Charleston County’s Director of Organizational Development, who is coordinating the County’s participation in the event. “We have always supported the Black Expo and are looking forward to being involved again this year. As diversity is a major focus for the County, our participation demonstrates our commitment to broadening our workforce and expanding our business partnerships.”
Charleston County departments that will have a booth at the Expo are:
Charleston Center (Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services)
Office of Organizational Development, Minority/Women/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program
Trident Workforce Investment Board and the Trident One Stop Career System
“Each department will have staff present to give information on Charleston County Services,” said DeLaine-Hart. “County departments will have laptops, displays, and tons of information to share with the public regarding their programs and services. We welcome local residents and visitors to stop by and see how we support our community.”
According to the Black Expo’s Web site, the local expo’s concept was taken from Black Expo USA, a former national event that traveled the country. Black Expos are now successfully held in cities such as Chicago, New York and Indianapolis, and are the largest events that directly targeting the African-American community.
The purpose of the Black Expo is to promote economic development through increased exposure for minority-owned businesses. It is a family-oriented event that exposes the community to business opportunities and cultural resources.
Schedule of Events, 2009 Charleston Black Expo:
Thursday, March 12
Business Opportunity Summit: 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Featuring Dr. Alfred Edmond, Jr., Sr. VP/Editor in Chief of Black Enterprise Magazine at the Charleston Public Library, (68 Calhoun Street, downtown Charleston).
Friday, March 13
Celebrity Golf Tournament: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Wescott Plantation Golf Club (Funds raised from the charity golf tournament will benefit Mughelli Kids Camp, Big Brother-Big Sister, and First Tee―all local youth organizations.)
Pre-Expo Comedy Gala: 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. featuring comedians J. Anthony Brown, Don “DC” Curry, Pierre, Damon Williams and JJ at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center. Tickets are on sale at the North Charleston Coliseum Ticket Office and all Ticketmaster outlets.
Other guests include Mr. Brown from Tyler Perry’s “Meet the Browns”; Movie and TV actor Morris Chestnut; Gospel artists Luther Barnes; and Kyle Massey from Disney’s “Cory in the House”.
Saturday, March 14
Black Expo 2009: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Featuring Roland Martin as keynote speaker (speaks at 2 p.m.) at the North Charleston Convention Center.
Celebrity guests include movie and TV actor Morris Chestnut; David "Mr. Brown" Mann of Tyler Perry’s “Meet the Browns”; and, for the kids, Kyle Massey from “Corey in the House.”
Other events during the expo include a health fair, seminars, food, vendors and fun for everyone.
For more information on the Black Expo, call 1 800-419-2417 or (336) 274-1709.
Visit the Web site at www.charlestoncounty.org for news, services and up-to-date information relating to Charleston County Government.