Title
To Recognize the Return of the Ohio Black Expo to Columbus, Ohio
Body
WHEREAS, Ohio Black Expo is a statewide humanitarian organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Ohio’s African American citizens, by establishing and encouraging an independent self-help approach to problem solving; and
WHEREAS, the founder of The Ohio Black Expo, Rhonda D. Robinson, was initially inspired to create the Columbus Black Expo after successfully registering 70 plus vendors for the Columbus Black Convention in 1980; and
WHEREAS, at its peak, the event sold an average of 30,000 tickets per year and had over 240 vendors and exhibitors; and
WHEREAS, organizers are planning for an annual event in downtown Columbus, starting in 2022 over Memorial Day weekend from May 26-29; and
WHEREAS, this year’s Ohio Black Expo is a chance to lift up Black-owned businesses, entrepreneurs, and celebrate Black culture in Ohio; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus provided funding to the Ohio Black Expo and is invested in the success of the event; and
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council recognizes and celebrates the return of the Ohio Black Expo to the City of Columbus taking place from May 26th, 2022 through May 29th, 2022.