Expo Celebrity Spokesperson and business owner Amazing Grace Conservatory has been named
Howard University Outstanding Alumnusof the
Year!
New Expo Update Schedule
Expo Update
has returned to our monthly publishing schedule.
We will send email updates when new information has been posted, so please
join our email list. As always, we welcome your input, stories and of
course, your paid ads. Simply email:
info@blackbusinessexpo.com
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Quentin Drew,
(at left) meant so much to so many at the Expo. For years
he emceed our Health and Fitness Stages coordinated by Sharon
Edwards. He hosted an excellent play at the Expo one year,
and he has directed and acted in countless others. As
director of the Watts Village Theater Company, Quentin has given
access to the world of theater, including this writer. I
served as stage manager to his play Sunday Dinner
at the Dragnet Theater.
Quentin had been
ill for some time now and battled for his life in a Whittier
Hospital where he made his transition April 21. Harold Hambrick
and the Expo staff request your prayers for him, his sons and
his family.
Funeral Arrangements: This
Thursday, April 28, 2005 at Watts Labor Community Action
Committee at 1:30pm there will be a spirited memorial to
Quentin who was also the president of the Neighborhood Council.
A procession will begin at Ted Watkins Park and end at WLCAC
(108th and Central.)
Also our condolences to Eric
of Studio 63 (who provides Expo video and photography) and
Willie G (who performed for the Youth Summit) for the
loss of their fathers recently. Our hearts are with you both.
Pictured above: Myra
Wallace (Fashion Director) and Sharon Edwards (Special Events
Coordinator) with Quentin at Expo 2000.
It's April, so that means it's Black Business Month, so
proclaimed by Recycling Black Dollars when the Expo used
to be held in April annually.
The tradition is maintained every April
first and businesses come together in front of the Los
Angeles Sentinel to alert the community to the wonderful
products we have to offer.
Above, I am pictured with this month's
video business focus, Anthony Moultrie of Party Palace
Entertainment.
On a sad note: Our condolences to June
Hoxie for the passing if her sister. Robbie
Toney's life is chronicled on the front page of the Los
Angeles Times, April 6 in the article about King Drew.
May she rest in peace.
Farewell Arelettia Jones, Exhibits Manager
Well, as it happens in business, when
you have someone who is really good, they will move on
to other companies. Above the staff of the Los
Angeles Black Business Expo gathered recently to honor
Arelettia Jones, Exhibits manager for her six years of
stellar support to the Expo. The affair was
catered by Derrick's Jamaican Cuisine.
Arelettia says she will still be
involved so look to see her around when she can make it.
From left (back row) Sharon Edwards, Isidra Person-Lynn,
Antoinette Hunt, Rene Cross Washington, Ernestine Dixon,
June Hoxie, La Sandra Stratton and Ruth Williams.
Erin Washington, Expo billboard kids is kneeling and
Arelettia is seated. There I am in the back.
In other news, bon voyage to Davide
Stennett, Expo Fashion Director, who is relocating to
Atlanta.
Please get involved with the Expo.
Now, more than ever, we need to showcase black
businesses to the world. Take advantage of our $100
Early Bird Discount. Sign up today!
Coming to Expo 2005:
Urban Idols II. Get Ready!
We
Remember Johnnie L. Cochran
We remember Atty.
Johnnie Cochran through a photo tribute by Leroy
Hamilton, photographer.
Visit this link to read and view the powerful words
and images of Cochran taken over the years by Leroy
Hamilton. BE SURE AND SCROLL BELOW THE PHOTOS
AT THE TOP FOR MORE.
The funeral will be held on Wednesday AM at West
Angeles Cathedral and can be viewed on www.nbc4.tv.
Rest well, Mr. Cochran.
A Morning with Johnnie
Cochran
By Isidra Person-Lynn
After learning the sad
news that the esteemed Atty. Johnnie Cochran's health was failing, I
thought to myself I never even had a chance to interview the man.
Friends were prodding me to go to his services on Wednesday at West
Angeles, and I said no, I don't want to take up a seat from someone who
actually knew him. I have a strong distaste for those who would so
brazenly sell T-shirts right in front of Angelus Funeral Home, or go to
his funeral, just for "networking." A family has lost its member,
friends and coworkers are grieving.
But we all knew Johnnie,
really, because the way he conducted himself was so admirable in the
public eye. He was fearless, and I wish I had his quick thinking
skills in a good argument.
But look at those photos
above. After my morning walk this AM, a friend, James Silcott,
handed me these forgotten photos. They were taken April 3, 1995 at
the Los Angeles Marathon, and when I hosted a talk show called Sunday
Morning Live with Mark Whitlock on KACE FM. We broadcast live from the
rain soaked tent in Exposition Park. And there I am, proof
positive, looking right into the eyes of Johnnie Cochran.
How could I forget that?
Mayor Tom Bradley was there, then Mayor Dick Riordan was there, and the
inimitable, well dressed -in-all-that-rain Cochran was there. Amazing
that your friends are the keepers of your history, some of which you
would forget if it were not from them.
You can click to enlarge
them. Thank you, Mr. Silcott, for reminding me that I did indeed
get to meet and talk to Johnnie Cochran--a man who brought joy to my life
through the triumphs of freeing Geronimo and countless others!
Tara Walker, who
nailed the Expo's first ever Urban Idol competition, has entered
two other competitions and needs our support. She writes:
"Showtime At the
Apollo is on Tour. On April 30, 2005, at 8pm, I will be at The
Cerritos Performing Arts Center, in Cerritos, CA, competing at
the Showtime At the Apollo on Tour Contest. I will be competing
for a chance to be flown to New York City, NY to appear on
Showtime At the Apollo in Harlem, NY. To get tickets, you
can go to the website:
www.cerritoscenter.com or call 562-916-8500.
Also, Kraft Foods is giving a gospel competition. I made
the top 10 of the first judging period. This stage of the
competition requires for the contestants to get votes off the
internet. You can go to the website:
www.kraftfoods.com/gospel and click on "Vote" at the
top left of the page. Then you must provide your email
address and register by
answering some questions. Once registered, scroll down the
page. I'm the very
last person, but the last shall be first! Before, selecting
Tara, you can hear and view a 1 minute video of me singing.
Then, select Tara and submit your vote! Also, you are
allowed one vote per day per email address.
Please, vote everyday through Wednesday April 13th.
Thank you and the entire staff of the Black Business Expo for
everything."
Tara Walker
Let's give Tara
a bit L.A. Black Business Expo vote of confidence! Do it
now, please!
April 30, 2005. Hitch
a Ride with BLACK L.A. TOURS to ALLENSWORTH, CALIFORNIA,
for GOSPEL FEST CELEBRATION.
Transportation and Admission to all Attractions
$25.00Adults & seniors, $18.00 Children (4 yrs and under are
FREE).
Departure Time 6:30am / Return Time 6:30pm.
Contact Valerie Holton at (323) 750-9267
Life can sometimes be magical and mystical all at
once...such was the case on the afternoon of Saturday, April
the second when couture designer Kara Saun,
seduced a celebrity-studded audience at an exclusive
showing held @ the magnificent home of Daphne
Wayans, a longtime client, friend and muse.
(Continue)
Ade
Bakare is a well known couture designer born and raised
in England whilebeing of Nigerian
descent. After receiving a grant from Prince Charles, he
started his couture house that is now, an institution in
London. The designer is known for his breathtaking late
afternoon and evening creations that culminate with his
magnificent wedding gowns that start at $10,000.00. He
travels regularly to Nigeria
(Continue)
P.S. Thank-you Johnnie Cochran for choosing some of
my menswear
designs for your legendary wardrobe. You will be
missed for so many
reasons and to me, you will always epitomize what it
means to be a true
gentleman. May you rest in peace in the glory of
GOD's everlasting love.
By Stan Thomas
Driving While Black
Assuming
the Position
by Stan
Thomas
I
became aware of it in the early 80’s. It was after 10 pm and I
had just gotten off work. The bus that was supposed to be in the
layover zone was nowhere in sight and I knew it would be an hour
before the next one rolled by. So I started walking. The most
direct route from Century City was straight down Olympic Blvd
through Beverly Hills. That was probably my first mistake. But
there was no other way to go.
(Continued)
(Scenes May Take A Minute to Load...Click
Play Arrow When Loaded)
Scene One: Length 1:00.
Features Gayle Anderson teasing her full report with Tony McGill
and the Holy Workshop Choir, So Lynn, Gymnastics L.A., Tama
(Body builder)
Scene Two: Length 2:10--Features
Gayle Anderson with Tama Bonner of Bodi Basix, Gymnastics L.A.,
More of the Tony McGill Holy Workshop Choir and Voices of Civil
Rights Bus Tour
Dear Reader: We apologize for any errors and typos.
They come along with the territory of getting news out fast and not
having proofreaders. Will you be our eyes and ears? Please
report errors, broken links and out of date info
here.
CYBERSTYLE
I
became aware of it in the early 80’s. It was after 10 pm and I
had just gotten off work. The bus that was supposed to be in the
layover zone was nowhere in sight and I knew it would be an hour
before the next one rolled by. So I started walking. The most
direct route from Century City was straight down Olympic Blvd
through Beverly Hills. That was probably my first mistake. But
there was no other way to go.
