#91 Jan 6, 2004 - An Online News Service by www.BlackBusinessExpo.com  

Welton L. Irving

June 19, 1936 - January 6, 2004

Our condolences to the family of Welton Irving.  He passed away Jan.6 after a long illness.  What follows are Harold's remarks.

To Janice, Leslie, Kelly, Ian, Welton's grandson who is now a grand young man,  and the rest of the family, and friends.

Psalms 37: reminds us that "the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delighteth in his way though he falls he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand."

I could talk for days about the 30 plus years that I've known Welton during our days on the "Mother Ship" called WattsHealth.

In the early 70's we were health advocates.  We believed that health care was a right worth fighting for.  Welton came on board the Mother Ship as a Board member in 1972 He served as parliamentarian, first vice chairman and most recently as chairman during his 30 years of service.

We can recall the hundreds of board meetings and particularly the ones chaired by Welton. He did it his way. We can recall the many trips to San Francisco,  Sacramento and Washington, DC. in particular  in the coldness of February, to talk with members of Congress and regulators about the health care needs of the Watts community.

Welton remained watchful and dedicated during his tour of duty on the "Mother Ship WATTSHealth."  He was a community man.

We recall Welton always bringing Janice, Kelly, Leslie and later Ian to conferences, meetings, 5K Runs & Walks,  and family picnics.  He was a family man.

Most recently, I recall Welton at Holy Trinity's Men's Prayer Breakfast in August of 2003; a man dedicated to Christ, committed to his church. He served as superintendent of the Sunday School, member of Sons of Allen Men's Ministry,  member of the Trustee Board, and past President of the Usher Board

I recall a spirit filled Welton on the day before he started chemotherapy and how he witnessed in the spirit with his family. He was a God fearing good man.

Once again, To Janice and family I say, although Welton has fallen, the Lord continues to lift him up in spirit. God bless you.

Sincerely,

Harold Hambrick

Executive Director

THIS SATURDAY!  WIN A HOUSE OR A CAR!

(From Save The Date)

JANUARY 17
COMMUNITY DAY @ Southwest College, 1326 W. Imperial Hwy, Los Angeles, CA. TIME: 9:30AM. The event theme is "Education Is The Key To Peace In Our Community." Hosted by the Power of Love Ministry. This event is an inter-faith day to bring the Los Angeles community together honoring Sheriff Lee Baca and Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke. There will be 15 cars given away and a duplex unit. Breakfast will be provided for $15 and a Job Fair & Business Expo for free admission. Vendor booth space is available for $350. For more information, call 323.753.4673.

Don't forget:  Black College Expo--Saturday, Jan. 24!

See below for a touching look back at the Expo's 15 years by Stan Thomas; King Week activities, a Leimert Park event, an article about the DigiThong, a memorial for Jacob Carruthers and Corliss Tillman, Mosi's article on Identity Theft, and Mikel Kilgour has unveiled a new art piece.  Read on!

When the Story Comes Home to You

A touching essay and photos by Michael Riddick. 

Click here.

For other non-SCLC community King Week Activities, Click Here or scroll below.

Please: Let Tavis be Tavis

Tavis Smiley kicks off weekly late night National TV Show on PBS

by Isidra Person-Lynn

Monday night Arelettia, Afia and I got a chance to attend the kick-off of Tavis Smiley's new self-titled show on KCET. Afia, a family friend and student at Berkeley, had just the day before expressed her desire to work for Tavis. After receiving the invite the next day from Tavis' right hand person, Denise Pines, I put the Expo Update on hold and went.  But in the hustle and bustle of leaving, I forgot my ever present cameras--still or video!  So, here is the 1,000 words in place of the picture:

The soirée was held at Tavis' cavernous TV studio at KCET in Hollywood.  There were stars there, but they were down to earth...because it was Tavis' night, not theirs. Blair Underwood, Wren T. Brown,  Terry Vaughn, Michael Colyar and a whole lot more graced us with their presence. The highlight was Venus and Serena Williams.  (Venus and her partner designed the set for Tavis.) The support was thick.  This has been a long time coming.  Continue by clicking here.

Happy Customers Sport Their DigiThongs

Cell Phone Accessory Simplifies Life for Business Women

At the recent Christmas Party for Bauman Curry and Associates and DigiThong, Michael Riddick noticed how many attendees were wearing their DigiThongs.  He assembled them for this picture, which was a riot to set up.

Now DigiThongs come in designer beads thanks to a teaming up with another Expo exhibitor.  To read the story, Click here

The Daraja by Mosi Pacha:

Identity Theft and How to Fight Back

 Every day you read something about the fastest growing crime in America - Identity Theft. Identity theft is when someone obtains your personal information and begins making purchases or securing credit in your name. It can range from using just one of your credit cards to virtually assuming your identity and applying for their own credit cards, car loans, and even home loans. Often the victim does not find out for months that they have been victimized until the phone calls from creditors come in. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, their credit is being destroyed.

 There are endless horror stories (click to continue)
Mosi Pacha may be contacted at: mosi_pacha@yahoo.com

Here's one from the 5th Annual Expo, April of 1993, back when we were still in West Hall. (See Dean Jones, former General Manager and Barbara Lindsey, Founder, with Dr. Clyde Oden looking on.) It's a digipic of a photo so the quality ain't all that hot. --Stan Thomas

The Expo At 15

A look back; story and photo by Stan Thomas longest running Expo Photographer

The Los Angeles Black Business Expo and Trade Show is 15 years old! As one of the photography team, I have had the distinct pleasure of watching the Expo grow during all 13 of its years at the Los Angeles Convention Center. We have come a long way through all sorts of tribulations, financial headaches, a riot, deaths of Expo staff and immediate family, and Sept. 11, but we are still here. And as Antoine Fisher said we're "still standing."

Before continuing with a retrospective like this, I would be most remiss if I did not acknowledge Expo founder Barbara Lindsey and what she has meant to us. It was her vision that conceived the idea of an exposition dedicated to showcasing Black entrepreneurs. Click to continue.

The Rally to Save Leimert Park Photos and recap by Ricky Richardson

Artist for Justice and Liberation celebrated the 1st Year Anniversary of the "Save Leimert Park, Save Black Culture" Rally on Sunday, January 11, 2004.This wonderful Community Block Party consisted of a fun filled day for the entire family with clown face painting, Sunday Drum Circle of Leimert Park, poets, hip-hop groups, and powerful speeches from Brother Aquil Basheer( LA Bridges/BUILD Program), Muhammad Nassardeen (Recycling Black Dollars, Khalid Shah (Stop The Violence/Increase The Peace). The event concluded with a "State Of The Community Address" and VIP Benefit Presentation, honoring merchants of Leimert Park Village.
 

Above left, Sunday Drum Circle of Leimert Park with a Dancer getting into the groove.

Above Right: Legendary guitarist Phil Upchurch and event organizer Torre Brannon Reese jammin'
on an Old School Tune.

Later that evening, an awards ceremony was held at the Vision Theater for 

long time Leimert Park Supporters.  Photo by Dr. Kwaku Person-Lynn.

In Memoriam...

Renowned Historian Jacob Carruthers Passes

Hear a clip of Dr. Carruthers, excerpted from am interview with Dr. Kwaku Person

Read the letter by Queen Nzinga (convener of the Expo's Rivers Run Deep Education Conference.)

Click to hear a clip, read his history and get details on his services

Thanks to Queen  Nzinga, Dr. Kwaku and Karen C. Aboiralor.

Corliss Tillman Succumbs

To all who knew and loved Corliss Tillman.  She passed away recently of a heart attack.  I am still in shock.

I do not have the arrangements from her family yet, but will get them out as soon as I have them.  Please pray for her two sons and her husband, sisters, and her Mom and dad.

She is the founder and president of Professional Women in Business.  Click on the link below for a photo and additional information about the organization.

It is such a great loss to women all over America.  She did the 5-6 city tours for about four-five years of which I was a part.  I will miss her commitment to women and to bettering the lives of African American women and girls.

Click here: PWIB of America


Linda Coleman-Willis

Email:  Lindaspeak@aol.com
Web Site:  www.Lindaspeak.com

The Expo Office is located at 3683 Crenshaw Blvd., Suite 502, Inglewood, CA  90016  (323) 290-4743.  Email: info@blackbusinessexpo.com

Next Dates:  Sept. 10-12, 2004 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. 

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