The Ohio Black Expo returns to downtown Columbus this Memorial Day weekend, kicking off the summer festival season with four days of events starting tomorrow, Thursday, May 26 and running through Sunday, May 29.
Considered at one time as “Ohio’s largest minority consumer and business exhibit”, the onetime annual event marks its return this year after the last in-person version took place in 1991. The original return was planned for the 2020 Memorial Day weekend, but the pandemic forced organizers to pivot to virtual events for the last two years. That resulted in an unexpected dynamic, as guests participated and interacted nationwide, including many Ohio expatriates who attended OBE for the first time.
The weekend kicks off tomorrow with a business conference geared towards small businesses. Friday will feature a workshop for seniors and caregivers, along with an afternoon workshop focused on health and wellness.
The centerpiece event, the Riverfront Culture Fest at Genoa Park, begins Saturday from 11a and goes until 11p that day, resuming Sunday from 10a-7p. A mix of entertainment, award presentations, and performances from state and national artists is planned.
The founder of the Ohio Black Expo is Rhonda D. Robinson, who was inspired to create the Columbus Black Expo after enlisting more than 70 vendors for the Columbus Black Convention in 1980. The name was changed to the Ohio Black Expo in 1988.
Robinson has passed the torch to Sherri Hamilton, who now serves as President and CEO of the Ohio Black Expo.
“Ohio is rich with cultural celebrations from around the globe”, says Hamilton. “We are happy to bring this celebration back to Columbus.”
For more information about this weekend’s events, visit OhioBlackExpo.com.
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