Central Georgia Black Business and Community Expo returns to Macon for annual event

The Central Georgia Black Business and Community Expo is returning to Macon for its annual event on Sept. 21.

The expo, which began in 2023, is hosted by the Central Georgia Coalition of Black Businesses and the Macon Middle Georgia Black Pages.

The event was created not only as a gathering but as a dynamic platform where Black entrepreneurs, professionals and community members from across central Georgia converge to engage, empower, and elevate one another, according to Charise Stephens-Merriweather, president and co-founder of Central Georgia Coalition of Black Businesses.

“This expo serves as a hub for commerce, collaboration, career exploration, and cultural celebration and is completely free for the community to attend,” she said. “Under the theme, ‘Together We Rise’, the expo embodies our collective journey towards prosperity and unity.”

Stephens-Merriweather said the event’s inaugural year had thousands of attendees from across the state of Georgia with black commerce organizations represented from 11 other regions sharing statewide news. She said many small businesses launched at the expo with free demonstrations and discount specials.

“We will be celebrating black excellence in the region with panels, resource sharing, live performances by local and national recording artists and so much more,” said Stephens-Merriweather. “We want to see more small businesses getting contracts, more businesses becoming sustainable, scaling and closing the wealth gap through entrepreneurship.”

This year, Stephens-Merriweather said the expo is bringing in some influential people to add star power to the event. Special guests include:

• Ash “Cash” Exantus , personal finance expert, five-time best selling author, and host of “Inside the Vault with Ash Cash” on the Earn Your Leisure Youtube Channel
• Jimmy Jones , star of “Ready to Love” on Oprah Winfrey Network, Atlanta’s top real estate listing agent, and inspirational trap music artist
• Marsau Scott , star on “Love & Marriage Huntsville” on the Oprah Winfrey Network, Scholt Industries, and Blaque Bottle Champagne
• Latisha Scott , star on “Love & Marriage Huntsville” on Oprah Winfrey Network, Scott Realty, and “Mommy Business” Podcast
• Mama Mia , National Black Radio Hall of Fame inductee
• Harold Young , Praise 99.5 and executive director of the Tubman Museum
• Derrick Chatman , National Black Radio Hall of Fame inductee
• LaRhonda Patrick , current mayor of Warner Robins, the first Black woman to hold the position

A live performance by Pastor Troy, a legendary Georgia recording artist and official brand ambassador for the Atlanta Falcons, will also be a part of the second annual event.

In addition, the event will have a technology focused area in the Monument Room where Georgia AIM, in collaboration with Macon Black Tech, will do workshops on artificial intelligence and its best uses for the growth of black businesses.

“Community expos are the best way to be on one accord in supporting small and our larger Black owned businesses,” said Stephens-Merriweather. “Macon and Middle Georgia are seeing a boom in opportunities and development and the Central Georgia Coalition of Black Businesses wants to share the good news with everyone - especially those that feel they don’t have a seat at the table.”

Stephens-Merriweather said the expo’s impact extends beyond the day of the event. She said through strategic partnerships and sponsorships, the Central Georgia Coalition of Black Businesses aims to foster long-term economic, educational, and cultural growth in the community.

Vendor spots and sponsorship opportunities are still available, according to Stephens-Merriweather

“We are encouraging everyone to come out and celebrate what makes Central Georgia one of the fastest growing regions in the nation for black businesses,” said Stephens-Merriweather. “Grab your friends, families, co-workers, church members, and join us all day - this is not just an event but a movement.”

The Central Georgia Black Business and Community Expo will be at the Macon Coliseum on Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The event is free to attend and all ages are welcome.