Expo Update: Los Angeles Black Business Expo and Trade Show

THIS WEDNESDAY: Our second West Coast Hall of Fame Urban Idol Competition gets underway. Alonzo Williams, Myra Wallace and an esteemed team are looking for the best contestants ever to win $1000 at the Expo. After a series of eliminations, the finalists will compete at this year's Los Angeles Black Business Expo and the winner wins a grand. Be there this Wednesday (August 3rd!)! Click here for details.

PS: Tell someone you know about this exciting chance! Listen to KJLH for the commercial!

From Isidra Person-Lynn, Media Director

This is where we pause in all of our business and hustle to remember that tomorrow is not promised. We have lost two women who had more than earned their wings:

Diane Hall, curator and documentarian, passed away last week and her services will be held Monday, August 23rd, 2004 at Agape Center, 5700 Buckingham Pkwy- 5pm. Our condolences to her daughter Tawny and long time companion John Outterbridge.

Carmen Lott, longtime activist, passed away yesterday. Her services will be held at Spalding Mortuary Tuesday at 11 AM. Call the Harambee Center at (323) 292-5558 for further details.

Please pray for Mr. Henri O'Bryant, 98, as he is suffering from circulation problems and a recent leg amputation.

On the business end, they tell me Mattye's Bistro is no more, and Lucy Florence has just moved across the catty corner to Degnan and 43rd St. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those close to the transitions. Stay strong!

The good news: It is Back to School Time. Click here for a Back to School event planned by Brenda Marsh-Mitchell of the Brotherhood Crusade and L.A. Sentinel. Speaking of back to school, bon voyage to my son Jaaye (pictured center-click to enlarge) as he left the next day for Howard Law School. When you have a school aged child it is hard to picture that one fall you will pack him off to grad school instead of another year in elementary. Enjoy your time while they are young! And if you feel overwhelmed by your first year in a new school, ask other parents who have been there. This photo was snapped at the recent Hampton Alumni Association Barbecue (Like other black colleges they are exhibitors at the Expo on Black College Row) and parents spent hours filling in the newbies on what to expect. They can save you much grief! Long live the parent connection!

And a plug: Help purchase books for Tuskegee and Hampton students at Booker T by the Sea (Booker T founded Tuskegee while Hampton is the Home by the Sea). It will be held Sept. 18. Call Vanessa Parham (Tuskegee) or Don Parham (Hampton) at (310) 559-6240 to buy tickets EVEN IF YOU CANNOT GO!

The Expo's West Coast Fashion Summit and KKBT held their annual Model Call, July 18 at the Hollywood Park Casino in Inglewood. For a wrap-up click HERE.

We are now 4 weeks til Expo 2004! Plan to sign up now. This year we have special days: Friday: Youth and Business Day, Saturday is our Family and Fashion Day (with the Wedding and the Fashion Show) and Sunday is our Faith and Gospel Day. All three days are days not to miss, so sign up now!