Black Business Expo Schedule:
All events are free and open to everyone
Business Pitch Competition
Hear people’s ideas to start or grow their businesses.
Two Prizes: 1st Place $1,500 — 2nd Place $500
Business 101 Do It the Right Way - Legal, Accounting & More
Panelists:
Jason Becton (Co-Founder, Marie Betté)
Clay Eure (Owner & Dir. of Client Success, Eure Consulting)
James Barton (Founder, Studio IX & Vault Virginia)
Strategic Branding to Separate Yourself from the Crowd
Panelists:
Price Thomas (Director of Marketing, United Way)
Damani Harrison (Director of Sales, Diamondback Tool Co.)
Ty Cooper (Creative Director & Founder, Lifeview Marketing)
Raising Capital for Your Business’s Future Growth
Panelists:
Tim Edmund (Co-Founder, Potter’s Craft Cider)
Stephen Davis (Executive Director, Community Investment Collaborative)
David Posner (Investment Executive, Posner Wealth Management)
Live Music: Mahogany Soul
As the Expo moves toward evening, we close the event with a live, socially distanced concert from the IX Art Park stage.
Richmond-based soul and R&B outfit Mahogany Soul brings us a night of grooves and tender ballads. Free to watch online; ticketed event in-person at IX Art Park.
Business Pitch Competition
Got what it takes to launch your business idea? Sign up to participate! Email BlackBizExpo@virginia.edu.
Winners receive cash and in-kind prizes to help your new business succeed. Details announced in September.
Watch at the BlackBusinessExpo.org home page. Or interact with the event via Zoom after you register here.
Panel #3: How to Access Affordable Capital During Crisis
Speakers:
Ravi Respeto, President - United Way of Great Charlottesville
Jennell Lynch, Founder - The Executive Doula Agency
Stephen Davis, President - Community Investment Collaborative
Panels are designed to be helpful to small business owners, but discussions are free and open to everyone.
Watch at the BlackBusinessExpo.org home page. Or ask the panelists questions via Zoom after you register here.
Panel #2: Making Your Business Stand Out Through Strategic Marketing
Speakers:
Jamie White, Owner - Jamie White Real Estate
Ty Cooper, Owner - Lifeview Marketing and Visuals, LLC
James Whren - JWC Fitness - Fashion - Entertainment
Panels are designed to be helpful to small business owners, but discussions are free and open to everyone.
Watch at the BlackBusinessExpo.org home page. Or ask the panelists questions via Zoom after you register here.
Panel #1: Tools Needed to Successfully Scale Your Business
Speakers:
Hunter Smith, Founding Partner - Champion Hospitality Group
Aron Gadson, Founder & President - Guise Clothing, Inc
Jason Becton, Co-Owner - Marie Bette
Panels are designed to be helpful to small business owners, but discussions are free and open to everyone.
Watch at the BlackBusinessExpo.org home page. Or ask the panelists questions via Zoom after you register here.
Explore Local Black-Owned Businesses
Check out dozens of black-owned businesses in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. Ask them questions during our live Zoom-based Q&A. Hosted by Ty Cooper, Lifeview Marketing.
Watch at the BlackBusinessExpo.org home page. Or mingle with business owners via Zoom after you register here.