Real Black Friday and Music Through the Streets have joined forces to host the 2023 Black Business Expo and Battle of the Bands, which will take place at the Wolstein Center in downtown Cleveland on Saturday, September 16th from 4:00pm to 10:00pm. This exciting event will showcase over 140 local Black-owned businesses and will feature live music, vendors, face painters, balloon artists, and more. Tickets can be purchased online for this one-of-a-kind event.
Larrys Parnell, who appeared on Good Morning Cleveland alongside The Real Black Friday, emphasized the importance of building up the youth and supporting minority and Black-owned businesses. According to Parnell, the purpose of this expo is to raise awareness, provide a platform for businesses to sell their products, and establish a strong presence within the community. The ultimate goal is to increase exposure, revenue, networking opportunities for local business owners, and encourage further expansion.
The expo has partnered with Donshon Wilson, an educator and the founder of Music Through the Streets. As part of the event, there will be a Battle of the Bands contest featuring talented high school and college students from Ohio, Kentucky, and Alabama. Parnell stressed the significance of this partnership, highlighting their shared vision to make a positive impact and promote collaboration.
Parnell expressed his gratitude towards the community for their support, stating that the expo’s impact is benefiting local business owners and their families in Northeast Ohio. With next year marking the 10th anniversary of Real Black Friday, Parnell looks back on the tremendous growth the event has achieved, with over 1,000 businesses and a staggering $5 million in economic impact. He emphasized the importance of continued support for small businesses beyond the event, especially during the upcoming winter season when people will be frequenting these establishments.
Parnell stated that now is the time to raise awareness, promote support for these local businesses, and strive for equity and growth. He sees this event as a crucial opportunity to create visibility and build bigger businesses. The impact of the Real Black Friday Black Business Expo will extend far beyond just one day, leaving a lasting impression on the community and helping small businesses thrive.
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