Texas Black Expo brings stars, trades and messages of empowerment to Houston
Who Made the Soap?, a Houston-based soap and lotion company, offers all-natural organic-based products, including even vegan soap bars.
HOUSTON – By: Sharon Nunn/ Staff
HOUSTON -- The George R. Brown Center hosted the Texas Black Expo on June 11-14, with almost 5,000 attendees. This year is the 12th year the Expo has come to Houston, and each year it brings star-studded guests, homestyle food and a tradeshow, all with one purpose — empowering people and communities.
This year, the big names included DJ Envy, a prominent New York DJ who's worked with MTV, Necole Bitchie, a nationally known celebrity blogger, and Angela Yee, talkshow host of the radio program The Breakfast Club.
Originally, Keith Sweat and Chante Moore were supposed to perform, but the rainy weather on Friday and Saturday kept the equipment crews from setting up outdoors.
Yet the event offered much more; in addition to business and personal brand empowerment sessions, the Expo hosted a day-long trade show featuring local businesses and national brands attempting to grow their reach and audience.
Almost all areas of business and culture filled the booths at the George R. Brown — from Impande Ye Africa, a performing arts company that presents authentic African culture, and Marcus Arceneaux, a Houston artist known for his abstract art with underlying messages, to Aunt Lee's Creole Cornichon, a Houston-based Creole food company, and Eugene's, an upcoming men's undergarment line.
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At his 10a.m. session on Saturday, DJ Envy discussed his rise to success and the mishaps he encountered along the way, including relationship troubles and signing bad contracts. After leaving New Yorks Hot 97 for a larger paycheck at another of NYs well-known stations, Power 105, DJ Envy said he signed a terrible contract, and warned the audience against being lazy and not getting a lawyer.Manuel Ramirez stands at attention before his volunteer organization, Fierce Lion, begins their step routine. Ramirez says he enjoys practicing his dancing twice a week with the other members.Jacqueline Andres and Brittany Hill smile with their familys Houston-based Creole creation, Aunt Lees Creole Cornichon. The Cornichon has been in their family for generations, coming specifically from South Louisiana where founder, Tony Andres, grandmother lived in the country.A #besomebody ambassador stands while one of many children and Texas Black Expo attendees shoot hoops and perform different athletic stunts. #besomebody, a motivational app in which users can connect with other users who share their passions, started in 2009 as a tweet and now reaches over 5 million people in the world. The different passions range from playing piano and learning to paint to participating in martial arts and motorcross.Impande Ye Africa representative describes the production companys roots Africa. The group is a theater and performing arts company that attempts to teach its audiences about authentic African culture and expression.A barber uses his classic clippers to trim one of hundreds of Texas Black Expo attendees who had their hair done on Saturday.Who Made the Soap?, a Houston-based soap and lotion company, offers all-natural organic-based products, including even vegan soap bars.Who Made the Soap?, a Houston-based soap and lotion company, offers all-natural organic-based products, including even vegan soap bars.No description foundClay Campbell, Eugenes CEO and President, smiling with his line of mens undergarments. He says Eugenes is dedicated to the confident man and his success.
At his 10a.m. session on Saturday, DJ Envy discussed his rise to success and the mishaps he encountered along the way, including relationship troubles and signing bad contracts. After leaving New Yorks Hot 97 for a larger paycheck at another of NYs well-known stations, Power 105, DJ Envy said he signed a terrible contract, and warned the audience against being lazy and not getting a lawyer.
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