It is getting to be that time of the year again for the Texas Black Expo.
See that old school, Texas, Black Expo sign. Something even more
special than what’s in place.
The previous 19 years this year, the 20th anniversary
celebration highlighted
by businessman, in NBA Hall of Famer. Urban Magic Johnson who
was clearly a star on the basketball arena, but also success
in
the business Arena
success in business is one of the focal points
of the Expo which is
for three days, over seminars and panels that will inspire and help
those who want to go.
Into business for themselves or just be better at what they do.
Jerome love is the president and CEO the founder and CEO
of the Texas Black Expo. He’s been the driving force for all
of the previous 19 years. Good morning to you. Can you believe this
is your number 20?
Good morning, good morning and it’s hard to believe. But yes, we’re finally
here, 20 years
there’s a lot that’s happened between then and now talk about what
you think has been the biggest impact of the Expo throughout
this year. Well, I think really, you know, the impact that
you see that you’re making in the lives of
Of others. There were kids that were in our Spire Camp who are now graduating
from college.
There’s a banker
Comerica Bank. I was in Dallas the other week and the guy says,
I remember going there as a kid now, I’m approaching him to sponsor
and he’s telling me about when he was a kid. He used to go to Black Expo,
so
you can kind of see people growing businesses where they were
where they are now.
I mean, it’s just amazing. So what was the original goal when you first
set it up? I know that Indianapolis Indiana has a an expo.
Similar
and you may be sorry, but what was the goal of this? Exponent has that changed
Through The Years. Well,
initially, it was a weekend event. It was a platform for businesses,
to Market their products and services. Thousands of people sales and
products. Things of that nature.
When I went to Indiana, I saw that they were a Statewide organization,
a non-profit, and they had ongoing programme.
So we changed our model
began to do ongoing program. And so we’ve given out grants doing
hurricane Harvey,
doing covid-19 we provided seven hundred and fourteen thousand
meals.
For families in need throughout. We all eat program and
11 million dollars, went to the pockets of small business
owners.
So we’ve more, we have a grant fund, we have a lot of different
things, our Spire camp but it’s really
revolves around the goal of putting money in people’s
pockets because we believe that,
if we’re going to build strong sustainable communities, we have to put
money in those communities. That’s why I theme is Boom building our own
Marketplace. So
what kinds of success story stand out for you? You talk about the number of years.
That you’ve been able to do this.
Think of one
that
stands out from someone you mentioned something just a second ago. But something
they came to your
the Expo and because of the Expo
they’re
they’re doing what they’re doing. Well, I would say NightLight, Pediatric, Urgent
Care,
they were founded in 2007 by to minority women.
Black
Expo was their first marketing Outreach. I remember zawadi
Bryant their CEO
right after the X plus, she’s a dram. Everybody that comes that clinic. They
said they came from Black Expo.
Well,
Grew 12 locations, 180 employees
Forbes Magazine, and they were purchased acquired last year
or year before last in a multimillion-dollar deal.
So,
you know, that, that is a powerful testimony and it’s a powerful
testimony for economic impact. They had 180 employees
whose lives that were supported by their organization.
And they started out much, much, much smaller than they started out. One
location for employees and first marketing. Outreach
was Texas, Black Expo. So when you have these, the
Expo there and all the seminars and things that go along with that? Is there
a certain kind of?
Because you’re an entrepreneur. That’s you been all your life? Yes. Sir.
I would think that if you come there, what kind of basic
background of foundation? Do you need to have in order to be successful
in business of any kind of? Well, first up, you got to have vision
and you got to have a desire and a drive to get better,
and that’s what Texas Black Expo provides. We providing workshops
on digital marketing and advertising
chat GPT, which is the buzz right now.
Now, old Friday, we have our franchising form and we’re
kicking off our entrepreneurship through acquisition
initiative, because you don’t have to start out the trunk selling T-shirts,
like me.
But if you’re in Corporate America, and you want to get out, or
you have a professional background, some resources,
just like you can get your money together to buy a house. You can buy
a franchise by business
and that’s a
path to. Well,
that might be a little bit easier. I’ve never done it, but I think it will be
easier than the path that I took robbing Peter to pay.
I’ll try to figure it out every step of the way. Yeah, it’s a good thing. I that’s
talk about your keynote speaker, for the corporate lunch and urban Magic Johnson,
he was able to turn his salary and his expertise
on from the basketball court
into a successful business career as well. Talk about what he brings
as an example of business success and what it took for him to get here
and what message of inspiration you want him to deliver on the 19th?
Well, I believe that magic is the perfect example for
I theme and it, which is Boom. Building our own Marketplace,
he made his millions and he began to build
businesses in our communities theaters in our communities
gyms in our communities.
Now
partner owner in the
Dodgers. I believe he’s the new owner of the part, owner of
the Washington commanders.
I mean, but he did it by investing in our communities.
And that’s what we need to do is invest in our communities.
So I believe he’s the perfect illustration
of what can be
and what
he’s a model for what we’re trying to do.
And we understand that economic prosperity,
He creates awesome communities and he’s a Living testament to
the so
the, the place the date. How can people find out about it,
May 19th through the 21st
TBE summer celebration.com or you can go to Texas
Black Expo.com and of course, on all I Instagram, all
our social media is all Texas, Black Expo.com.
The Marriott Marquis is where the corporate luncheon will be
with Magic Johnson on May 19 12:00,
and then the Expo is Saturday and Sunday,
the 20th, to the 21st,
Have to George are brown conventions. All right? Number 20th, special
number 20, Jerome love. It’s been great to be with you
on this trip with you. For the service quality is good to have. You been putting
more work in it and I