Prominent Organizations unite to present the
Detroit Black Expo IV encouraging African-American entrepreneurship and business development
Detroit, MI. – The Detroit Black Expo IV will take place July 28 – August 1, 2010 at the University
of Detroit Mercy McNichols
campus and is proudly presented by Caesars Windsor. Founded in 2004, The
Detroit Black Expo is the largest African-American consumer exposition in the
State of Michigan
and will feature an expected 200 black-owned businesses, 500 conference
participants and 2,000 consumers.
The event is free and open to the public. The expo, supported by community partners, aims to set the stage for future economic growth and stability within the city of Detroit by providing a forum for participants
which includes; the opportunity to take part in panel discussions and hear
keynote speakers from various industries, participate in workshops, utilize
small business resources and the expo also provides multiple networking opportunities.
The Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce, The Michigan Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the Detroit Rainbow PUSH Coalition are also supporting the event.
“These are critical times in the State of Michigan's economy, but we, as a community, must support entrepreneurial activity and
small business growth. We are also witnessing a tremendous paradigm-shift from
a state dominated by the automotive industry towards a more diversified and
progressive entrepreneurial environment. African Americans are realizing their
consumer buying power and refocusing the dollar to support those who in turn
support them” says Detroit Black Expo IV’s President and CEO, Ken Harris.
“The Detroit Black Expo IV is to encourage and develop these new opportunities within this new economic environment”. In the state of Michigan,
African Americans represent better than 44,000 black-owned firms with 19,530 of
those businesses residing in the city of Detroit
alone.
For a full list of scheduled events, information and registration information, please visit www.DetroitBlackExpo.com or call (313) 638-2052.
Media Contact:
Orena Perry
Executive Producer, Detroit Black Expo IV
313-638-2052
www.twitter.com/kharris1911
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Kenneth L. Harris is known for his maverick-style in his approach to altering societal and economic challenges within his community. An avid reader and socially-conscious individual, Kenneth has always been
passionate about helping African-Americans and other minorities realize
their dreams, most importantly through entrepreneurship and economic
empowerment. He found it necessary to bridge the gap between
minority-owned businesses throughout the region and founded the
International Detroit Black Expo, Incorporated (IDBE) on May 24, 2004.
Kenneth has made tremendous landmarks and professional accomplishments
at the young age of 34, such as the first African-American Chief of
Staff and Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Southfield and the first
African-American Director of Greek Affairs at Wayne State University.
Additionally, he is the first African-American Counseling Psychologist
for St. John Community Health and is currently the first
African-American Director of Minority Business Development and Strategic
Initiatives for the Michigan Minority Business Development Council,
Inc.
Kenneth also serves on the Board of Directors for the National
Pan-Hellenic Council, Michigan Center for Fair Housing, the United Negro
College Fund, the First Independence Bank Community Development
Corporation and the NAACP – Detroit Branch Economic Empowerment
Committee Chairperson. He is an active life member of Omega Psi Phi
Fraternity, Inc., Prince Hall Masonry, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church
and the Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce, just to name a few.
Recently, Kenneth L. Harris received the U.S. Small Business (SBA) 2007
Minority Business Advocate of the Year award, inducted into Crain’s
Detroit Business Class of 2007 40 under 40 and Who’s Who in Black
Detroit Most Influential. Kenneth was most recently honored by the
Michigan Women’s Marketplace & CEED as the 2008 Entrepreneur of the
Year. Kenneth also received the 2008 Excellence Award for Economic
Empowerment by 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, Inc.
Kenneth graduated with a BA in Psychology and MA in Counseling
Psychology both from Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia and is
currently a Ph.D. Candidate at Bernelli University in Alexandria,
Virginia majoring in International Business and Entrepreneurship Studies
and has received a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Detroit’s Lewis
College of Business in 2008.
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