Young entrepreneurs get biz buzz at Black ExpoBy Lauren Adderley (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Tyrone Walker Thirteen-year-old Breshay George talks up a cookie sale to Erika Brown on Saturday during the Black Expo at the Charleston Area Convention Center. George and other Venture Crew #469 members from Mount Moriah Baptist Church were selling cookies to learn about running their own business. While Ahmad's Quick Snacks drew in hungry folks with juice boxes and ziplocked pickles, Venture Crew #469 from Mt. Moriah Baptist Church kept business booming next door with crowd-favored cookies. Saturday's Black Expo brought stiff competition among businesses vying for the attention of tens of thousands of Expo-goers at the Charleston Area Convention Center. But the youngsters at the Junior Entrepreneurial Pavilion were not to be outdone by their adult counterparts. Charleston Development Academy's Men of Distinction were on the floor in full force in suits and ties. "I'm really learning how to get people to buy our coffee and other products," said the Men of Distinction's vice president, Michael Tyler, 11. "I've personally helped like 25 people already." Three tables down, Sharmaine George, adviser to crew #469, looked on as members exchanged cookies for cash. "The best thing they can learn is that they can do anything if they put their mind to it, whether it's selling cookies or something else," she said. "This is a really great part of the Expo. The kids learn they don't have to do the norm and veg out in front of the television. They can be productive by having their own little business." Venture Crew #469 member Trey Edge, 15, agreed. "If I didn't come here today, I'd have been inside, being lazy and watching TV. But I came out and I had a lot of fun selling things and met a lot of new people." Next door, 11-year-old Ahmad Pryor was flying solo at his snacks booth, handling the public and making a profit with expertise. Like any grown-up, Ahmad has plans for his cash. "I like to spend it, but I have to save up," he said. "First, I pay my dad back for the food and supplies he bought me to get started, then I have to put some in my bank. Around this time of year, I go on a trip with my mom to Houston, so I have to save for that, too." Black Expo coordinator Darrell Givens said that seven groups encompassing more than 50 kids were selling their goods throughout the day at the pavilion sponsored by the Charleston Police Department. "Chief Greg Mullins graciously embraced the idea. We thought it was important for kids to have hands-on experience with entrepreneurship," Givens said. "Hopefully, it will encourage them to go on and have their own business some day." Perhaps most importantly, the entrepreneurial kids seemed inspired by what they were doing. Trey said the experience gave him ideas about what he might do in the future. "I don't want to be the guy that has to live from paycheck to paycheck," he said. "I want to be the person that works hard and lives in a nice house." Actor and special Expo guest Idris Elba was impressed with the young entrepreneurs. "It's good that children are encouraged to stay away from negativity. They are often influenced by their peers and led astray, so it is important that the older generation reach back and give them direction," he said. "We already know what can happen if we don't." Carolyn Brown is the CPD Weed & Seed coordinator who helped organize the junior pavilion, and she agreed with Elba. "If all you know is wrong, that's all you will do. But if you're at least shown an alternative, that makes a big difference." Givens said the Black Expo plans to expand the pavilion every year. "Eventually it would be great to reach the point where we do this year around, giving kids an opportunity to learn more about business." Ahmad said he would enjoy more time to flex his money-making potential. "The Expo is really the only time I get a chance to sell my own things, but I've learned a lot from school fundraisers," he said. "When I see someone come by I say, 'Excuse me, would you like to buy a pickle or Skittles or gum?' I always remember to say 'Thank you,' even if they don't want anything." Reach Lauren Adderley at ladderley@postandcourier.com 937-5560. |
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Comments
This article has 28 comment(s)
Posted by geekguy2008 on March 9, 2008 at 3:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's another example of P&C writing about the down-trodden black folks. Why does it have to be this way? Can we have a white expo?
Posted by freedomofspeech on March 9, 2008 at 4:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
geekguy2008,
No one is stopping you from having a white expo. I rather see positive news in the P&C about African-Americans than negative news. In my opionion, I think you learned a new word today (trodden) and just had to use it. I hope you enjoy the rest of the day.
Posted by southerner on March 9, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a bunch of crap, first they want to be involved with everything that whites do,and if not allowed to do so, it's discrimination, now they come up with all this crap for blacks only. NO, freedomofspeech, there is not one thing positive about this. If they really want to be part of America then they need to stop with the African American, it is the only race in America that puts a tag on their race, and you know what? it's not necessary, because anyone (except a blind person)who see's them, knows that they are black and always will be black.
Posted by KeepItReal on March 9, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Did the health department approve the handling procedures on the edible items?
Posted by sumDJiam on March 9, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
haha, yeah, Ziplocked pickles...I dunno about that one. Why wasnt it sealed in a pouch, or kept in the jar at least?
Posted by KidYendor on March 9, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It is somewhat offensive to American Americans to have something called the Black Expo, but I do defend their right to have it if they want and if tax dollars are not used. Were there any white entrepreneurs? How about having the White Oyster Festival, the White Pig Pickin', the White Bridge Run? Will Black Expo personnel defend our right?
Posted by disco on March 9, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I understand the reverse discrimination everyone is feeling because of the Black Expo, but who says you can't go if you're white. Next time they have one of these, I say we all get together and go.
Posted by captaincrunch on March 9, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Seems like there are a bunch of you on these comment boards who live to whine about racial issues. It's pathetic and embarrassing to our entire community. You're not banned from the event?! In fact, you'd probably be welcomed with open arms until you run off at the mouth and say something ignorant. Just shut up!!!
Sincerely,
Average White Guy raised in South Carolina
Posted by sumDJiam on March 9, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think its black expo to embrace and encourage blacks to partake in the event. Kinda hard sometimes to get biz up and runnin against the white man, that is of course,unless its drugs.
Posted by southerner on March 9, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
captaincrunch
I think that this is an opinion Colum, as I see it most posters were asking questions or stating a fact. You are the one that became racist, it never fails that when someone gets on the nerve of a bleeding heart liberal, they can only come back with the R word. Shame on you, the way you write, using the word stupid on people that you don’t even know. If your feelings are going to be hurt by reading these Colum’s then you need to stop . By the way how many whites were at the function and how many others were invited. Did you know that when they say it is a black expo. that they mean whites are not wanted? Otherwise they would have said expo. So calm down, get the knots out your panties and enjoy the colum.
Posted by UnoCubanito on March 9, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
AS A LATINO OF CUBAN BACKGROUND FROM MIAMI FL...EVERY NATIONALITY HAVE A WHATEVER YOU ARE EVENT. SO DON'T SINGLE OUT BLACKS..I CAN SEE WHY EVERYONE JUMP ON THEM SO MUCH IN SOUTH CAROLINA BEING THE TOP RACE IS EITHER YOUR BLACK OR WHITE ..I DONT MEAN BY YOUR SKIN COMPLEXION EITHER JUST WHAT YOUR HERITAGE IS
Posted by thesopranpoes on March 9, 2008 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's be honest here. What are you going to make more money selling...a cookie or a crack rock? Unless of course they figure out how to hide your crack inside a pickle.
Posted by COFC2007 on March 9, 2008 at 5:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am going to say this one time white people can go to the Black Expo if they want to as a matter of fact this may be off base but there are white people who are actually in historically black fraternity and soritories. most organization that is black run you do have white people part of. As for white people having a white expo i do not care less would not matter to me. I am sorry for the grammar got off from work.
Posted by MMitchum on March 9, 2008 at 6:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Carolyn Brown is the CPD Weed & Seed coordinator who helped organize the junior pavilion, and she agreed with Elba. "If all you know is wrong, that's all you will do. But if you're at least shown an alternative, that makes a big difference."
This is out of the article above by Carolyn Brown....so drop the Black, drop the White.... you live in the South and no one has learned what offends the other here...so the use of the language in anything in SC makes a difference so think before you name anything...why not Public Expo....I am sorry to say but Black means Black in SC. Note the picture. SC gets offended because we are suppose to try and change our way of thinking from way back before most of our time...it is not going to happen this way.
Posted by candygirl on March 9, 2008 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To all those concerned about whites not being invited,there were white vendors and whites in attendance at the Black Expo.So next time it would be nice to check your facts before sounding off so negative.
Posted by tiggerlady on March 9, 2008 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't have a problem with the black expo but way call it the black expo? Also, if white's had a white expo NAACP would be all over it.
Posted by freedomofspeech on March 9, 2008 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FYI
Whites do have their own organizations but they are not bold enough to put it in their name.
Posted by COFC2007 on March 9, 2008 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
freedomofspeech go ahead and say the names of those organizations.
Posted by Mon_Kie on March 9, 2008 at 9:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ku Klux Klan
http://www.kkk.com
Sons of Confederate Veterans
http://www.scv.org
United Daughters of The Confederacy
http://www.hqudc.org
Cherokee by Blood Society
http://www.cherokeebyblood.com
to name a few....
Posted by justbeingme on March 9, 2008 at 10:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For those persons who feel as if they couldn't or shouldn't attend the expo..Why? I didn't see any security officers at the doors, keeping you away, I didn't see any signs that read "NO WHITES ALLOWED". Let's face it, you decided to criticize simply because of an event that was organized primarily by "BLACKS". I really need to inform some of you that this was a family oriented event with guest speakers, an elementary shool choir, up and coming artists, etc. I think that you should also know that small businesses, local law enforcement agencies and local governments supported this effort. Financial advisors, health awareness centers, wireless companies, etc were available to assist persons that attended. Why criticize those who are providing a positive insight to children..yours and mine!! Your mind is soooo small that it allowed you to miss out on an event because you spent more time trying to disect the title or stayed away simply because you were too ignorant to ask about the event? NEWS FLASH .... The expo was attended and enjoyed by different ethnic groups. I appreciate those (black, white, latino)for gaining an understanding, by simply attending BLACK EXPO 2008. If my Caucasian brothas and sistas need an official invitation for next year...YOU ARE INCLUDED AND INVITED TO ATTEND BLACK EXPO 2009 with one exception-leave your small minds at home.
Posted by freedomofspeech on March 9, 2008 at 10:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you Mon_kie and well said justbeingme. I do not know why some people are always trying to find something negative in a positive situation.
Posted by Akhenaton06 on March 9, 2008 at 11:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So we're told that the problems in our (predominantly Black) communities are ours to solve and we need to stop being a burden on society. But then there are events like these that are designed to help solve those problems, and we're labeled racist. But then if Blacks were to start attending other similar "race neutral" events like these that are mainly attended by Whites, White folks would do what they always do when they see a bunch of us coming: move (see White flight)--and socioeconomic standing would have nothing to do with it. Then it would become a "Black So-and-so" event by default. So we can't win for losing.
Posted by hadenough on March 10, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Monkie thanks for making the correlation between the Black Expo and the KKK, even if you didnt mean to, both racist organizations.
Posted by eyfigueroa on March 10, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hadenough, mon_kie, geekguy, southerner, kidyendor, keepitreal, thesopranoes, tigerlady, mmitchum:
Though I empathize with the very real question of why "black expo", I find it EXTREMELY interesting that not one of you saw this as a positive for the young black children who chose to participate in this event as opposed to being on the street what most of you expect of them (selling drugs, birthing out of wedlock, committing crimes, etc). Not one of you applauded the event for what it was, a venue for people of color to positively convene and advertise their wares and services. Young black boys & girls took an opportunity to do something positive and all you people could think about is the name of this particular venue.
Your comments are VERY telling of your level of understanding of the human dynamic and race relations.
as Akhenaton06 so eloquently put it “can’t win for losing”
Posted by COFC2007 on March 10, 2008 at 4:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You know what people on here you wonder either they are narrow minded or if many cases lack any type of education. First of all how the black expo is racist can someone come up with that logic please. Second of all it seem like when you have black people doing something positive, here comes the white trash or the ones that all they want to hear about them killing someone or going to jail. Third, White people can attended the Black Expos and the black folk that are there would not care less. Fourth, I commended the young people selling their items at the Black Expos at least they are learning to be business people and not on the streets selling drugs. Finally you have people who blog on here who to me are very narrow minded and cannot process what is going on in the outside world.
Posted by Akhenaton06 on March 10, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You'd seriously think that people would realize that after centuries of systemic and economic and social exclusion that a 180 degree turnaround is impossible within the space of a generation--which is why events like Black Expo still serve a valuable purpose. It ain't like White folks are breaking the doors down to get in anyway.
Posted by archdude on March 10, 2008 at 6:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A little off topic, but did anyone see the 'State of the Black Union" address out of New Orleans a few weeks ago? There was a comedian, Richard Gregory (real first name is D-i-c-k but the censor will not let that pass), that made it hilarious for any who happened to see it...white or black.
Posted by COFC2007 on March 10, 2008 at 7:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Archdude i did not see the State of the Black Union. but i know about D-i-c-k Gregory an interesting character to say the least. The man does speak his mind though.