Recap of MBE 2006
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Thank you for making the 2006 Missouri Black Expo a phenomenal success.
-Thomas Bailey Jr.
President-Missouri Black Expo
-Anisha Coleman
Managing Director-MBE SPEAKS!
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 Coined the health and financial information Mecca for the African American community, the 2006 Missouri Black Expo boasted life-changing avenues in a variety of arenas. MBE festivities began by empowering job seekers and employers alike with a Multi-Cultural Job Fair held at the America's Center on Friday, August 4th.
Employers such as Anheuser-Busch, US Bank, The Home Depot, and Edward Jones were all on hand offering many the fortune of a great start to a promising career. Much to the delight of participating employers, applicants poured in by the dozens early that morning, seeking jobs in a variety of fields.
32-year old Tanisha Morganford is one such job seeker. Having traveled all the way from Granite City, Illinois for the weekend long Expo; Tanisha had a very personal reason for making her long journey to St. Louis.
“My aunts and friends go to the EXPO every year, and this year, I just happened to have lost my job in July, so the Multi-Cultural job fair came right on time for me. I’m hoping to get at least five callbacks.”
“We at the Missouri Black Expo believe in empowering our community through abundant resources and opportunity for personal and professional growth and we will continue to feature the Multi-Cultural Job Fair as part of the Missouri Black Expo for years to come” said Thomas Bailey Jr., Missouri Black Expo President.
 As the sky turned dim, the AG Edwards Learning Center on Market Street came alive with celebrities and prominent community leaders in support of the American Family Insurance Community Benefit Gala.
Celebrating the achievements of the 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis and the Paula J. Carter foundation, the evening featured recognitions of the organizations’ leaders, scholarships given to outstanding African American students headed to college this fall and topped off with a scrumptious soul food dinner. Gala guests mingled all night long enjoying themselves in an elegant, yet relaxed atmosphere.
 Saturday morning MBE festivities got off to a healthy start. The 1.3 mile, Prostate Cancer Survivor’s and Awareness Walk began at 7:00 a.m. at Aloe Plaza. All participants were encouraged to continue or begin a healthy lifestyle.
Presented by the 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis, and sponsored by Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Missouri, advocates and those affected by prostate cancer personally agree that getting tested early, coupled with a healthy diet and the right amount of exercise is the key to saving the lives of men all over the world.
The Prostate Cancer Walk culminated in free PSA screenings and a Prostate Cancer Awareness panel discussion.
 Fresh off the heels of their exciting Health Forum held at Harris-Stowe State University, The BET Foundation Women’s Health Forum, made its welcomed return to St. Louis as part of the MBE 2006. Ramona Crayton, 43, of Olivette brought along the women closest in her life; her best friend, daughter and neighbor to get a taste of Jeanette Jenkins’ energizing workout.
“My niece kept raving about how wonderful last year’s Women’s Health Forum was, and I hate that I missed it! Everyone was talking about how inspiring and uplifting it was for women; how it gave everyone a feeling of unity and empowerment. So when my niece told me back in June that the BET Women’s Health Forum was coming to the Expo in August, I made up my mind then that I was coming,” said Crayton.
 Teens all over the metropolitan area woke up at the crack of dawn to race down to the Expo to see their favorite celebrities; Chingy, Ebony Eyez, Potzee and others alongside their parents or other significant influence speak on the necessity of parental involvement at the Gear Up Student & Parent Leadership Summit.
This year’s theme was “Parents, Get Involved!” It started at 10:00 a.m., however by 8:30am, a long line of grandparents, mothers, fathers, aunts and uncles along with their children could be seen heading toward the main stage to get a ‘good spot’ for the forum. Excellent topics were addressed, and the audience took well to the parents of well-known celebrities offering them sound advice as to how to contribute to their children’s lives.
 By noon, the America’s Center was filled from corner to corner with the young, old and in-between going from booth to booth to check out what this year’s EXPO had to offer. 65-year old Georgianna Edwards and 41-year old Marsha Fields of Hazelwood were excited about this year’s “Sam's Club Ice Cold Steppin” booth.
“I didn’t know they were going to put on a ‘steppin’ competition too! Soon as we walked in, this was the first thing we saw, couples and everybody dancing and having a good time. I even see the young ones out here trying to get down like us! Marsha and I had to show them how it’s really supposed to be done,” chuckled Edwards.
As the DJ kept churning out the hits, the crowd grew larger and larger, with more people trying to squeeze in a dance or two at the last minute. Indeed the Sam's Club Ice Cold Steppin’ booth was a welcomed and joyous new addition to this year’s Expo.
By 3:30 Saturday afternoon, most adults were looking forward to the Black America Today Panel discussion presented by the University of Missouri-St. Louis that took place directly across the hall from the main auditorium.
The theme discussed was “Creating Access through Education, Politics, Health, Entertainment and Economic development.” Panelists included the esteemed Dr. Joycelyn Elders, Former United States Surgeon General, Former St. Louis Mayor, Freeman Bosley Jr., Lizz Brown, Radio Talk Show Host, Dr. Lynn Beckwith, Educator, Bonita Cornute, Reporter, Revered Sammy Jones, Pastor and as a surprise to everyone, Mel Jackson, actor and author breezed in at the last second to take a surprise seat on the discussion. By the time Jackson took his seat, the room was standing-room only.
The audience was definitely in for a treat. Zipping through controversial topics such as teen pregnancy ‘vaccinations’, it was clear that the African American community wanted change and ‘access’ in a variety of arenas. At the end of the discussion, the floor was opened for a bit of Q & A. Participants wanted to know from the panelists practical solutions for creating attaining their personal professional goals and those of their family members.
Offering guests time to unwind from the afternoon’s heavy discussion topics, the MBE Main Stage gave guests a wealth of entertainment. From poetry to praise dance and everything in between, Expo-goers had a lot to listen to while interacting with old friends and meeting new ones.
 Around 7:30pm Saturday night live on the Budweiser Stage, St. Louis’ own Murphy Lee and his crew riled the crowd into a frenzy, during the MBE Music Fest. Rapping a slew of hits from ‘What Da Hook Gon’ Be’ to the ‘Tipsy’ remix. Giving the crowd a double-dose of pleasure, U-C Me Entertainment’s own Potzee came out and showed the ladies what type of girl catches his eye and sang “Dat Girl.”
Too much to handle for some fans, Logan Shireford, 23 of Collinsville screamed “I just can’t take it! Potzee AND Murphy Lee! I’m their biggest fan! I drove all the way here just to see them, plus I got front row seats! My friends aren’t going to believe this!”
 Let’s not forget the sports fanatics! Featuring a USA boxing sanctioned amateur boxing tournament, this year’s MBE National Invitational Boxing Tournament presented by Ameristar Casino boasted fighters from Little Rock to Cleveland.
15-year old Sanchez Gusto exclaimed “I’ve been telling my dad about this for the longest. This is the third time I’ve come, and I finally got him to come out to watch. I’ve been boxing since I was 9 and my dad has always supported me. Hopefully, next year I can box at the Expo as well!”
 Sunday morning, as Expo guests were winding their weekends down, thousands turned out for the City Wide Church Service hosted by Westside Missionary Baptist Church. Reverend Ronald Bobo reminded us of the real reason and the key to the success of our people; accepting the Lord, Jesus Christ into our lives.
 While Expo patrons were attending church services, the Professional Organization of Women were hard at work assembling their forum “African American Images In the Media.”
Distinguished women from all walks of life attended this life changing seminar learning about the profound impact media has in the lives of women and how to change stereotypes in the media.
A refreshing and in-depth look at the complex issues facing women and African Americans in the media, the workshop couldn’t have come at a better time. “It’s so interesting to hear this topic addressed, especially in a day and age where no one seems to care about how we’re being portrayed in the media,” said Kelisha Armstrong, 26, of Fairview Heights.
 Closing the 2006 Missouri Black Expo in grandiose style on Sunday night, National Recording Artist, Eric Benet, R & B’s favorite bachelor, invited the guests to listen to his latest hit “Pretty Baby” from his soulful album “Hurricane”. Teary-eyed ladies adorned the stage, hoping for a chance to touch his hand.
After his show, Eric gave me a few minutes to discuss his performance, his album and what inspires him to be the striving artist he is today. To see our interview, click on the link to the side of this page.
From the hearts of Thomas R. Bailey Jr., President, Missouri Black Expo, myself and the entire Missouri Black Expo staff, we want to thank you, our devoted supporters, committed sponsors and faithful readers for making the 2006 Missouri Black Expo a success.
For it is only with your support that we can continue to create resources and opportunities for the African American community.
As we look toward the Missouri Black Expo 2007 "The State of Black America", we encourage you to Get Connected, Get Involved at mbespeaks.com.
Sincerely,
Anisha F. Coleman
Managing Director
MBE SPEAKS!
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Missouri Black Expo, Inc. 2007
4411 N. Newstead • Suite 104 • St. Louis, MO 63115
Office: 314.361.5772. • Fax 314. 389.4694
www.missouriblackexpo.com • www.mbespeaks.com
contact@missouriblackexpo.com |
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