Black Women in Business Expo returns for the first time after death of founder
11 Feb 2024
BELOIT — The Eclipse Event Center was decked out in black, green and yellow this weekend for the 6th annual Black Women in Business Expo.
The event, dubbed Black Herstory Day by the organizing committee, took place Saturday from 2-6 p.m. The event organizers also wanted to continue the event in honor or its founder, Vickie Lynn McGee, who passed away just before last year’s expo.
Christina Martinez served as the host for the afternoon and a guest speaker from Acts Housing spoke about the importance of financial independence. The theme for this year’s expo was Elevating Excellence, according to Purnell, and within the confines of that theme included networking and empowering women.
The Black Women in Business Expo is a community event where Black-owned businesses and vendors in Beloit can come together to celebrate Black History Month and each other.
“We are showing everyone that Black businesses can unite and support each other,” said Stephanie Prewitt, owner of Queen P’s Throne and a Black Women in Business committee member.
The Black Women in Business Expo was created in 2019 by founder Vickie Lynn McGee and has grown each year since. That growth hasn’t been stopped by her tragic passing on Feb. 3, 2023, since her dedicated committee has worked to put on the expo for the first time without her.
McGee considered the expo to be her “baby,” and Prewitt and the other committee members saw no better way to honor her than by ensuring that her baby continued even after she was gone.
“[Vickie] just felt the need to see Black women and Black businesses in general supported,” said Paquitta Purnell, owner of Blessed Divine Creations and a Black Women in Business committee member. “We’re excited to continue the legacy for her.”
There were more than 60 vendors present at the Black Women in Business Expo this year. Some of them were veterans of the expo while for others, this was their first time attending. Other vendors include Blessed Divine Creations, Bling Thing Boutique LLC, Seasoned with Shay, Oh-She-Cute, Earthly Temptation, and more.
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