For 53 Years, Owensboro Black Expo Has Kept Black Culture Visible, Vibrant, and Local

By McCellus Mays 

Owensboro Black Expo was founded in 1973 by a group of individuals who recognized the need for increased diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within Owensboro. The organization has promoted the inclusion of the African American community and has fostered visible equity, contributing meaningfully to the development and vitality of the broader community.  

Countless residents, James Robert Young, Bonnie Morton, Richard Brown, Audrey Henderson, Danny Henderson, Jimmy Bush, and Lorenzo Williams (others too many to name) took on this mission, with Williams appointed as its flagship president. With work to do to show there was talent as much as potential, three years later in 1976, it became incorporated as Owensboro Black Expo, Inc. The grassroots organization held monthly meetings and elected officers to conduct business as any well-oiled organized committee would do, each year growing in number and capacity. 

Expo had something for everyone, young, old and in between. In its formative years the group hosted a week-long event that drew in large audiences and spectators from across the region. Kicking off its festivities they produced a gospel program featuring local vocalists, musicians and choirs held at an area church. Monday, following the gospel program would come a street parade that trailed through the African American neighborhoods made up of black businesses, floats, major supporters of the organization and a showcase vehicle presenting the year’s crowned the Black Expo Queen. Tracking this festivity, sometimes reaching a half mile long, the parade would terminate in Dugan Best Park where the Outdoor Festival began. Outdoor Festival was like an amusement park of games, music, basketball tournaments, vendor items for sale, food and fun in the park. Kids and young adults enjoyed this as much as older folks. This was Owensboro’s version of Mardi Gras.

              As the organization grew it introduced beauty pageants to its lineup. In its first year it crowned Denise Higgs as its first Black Expo Queen.  Later expanding to include a junior pageant (boys and girls) for younger children. This became one of the most anticipated events of an Owensboro summer. Everyone waited for the Outdoor Festival. 

Achieving growth and sustainability in our communities requires a lot of effort, especially when it involves the things we value and take pride in. Owensboro Black Expo, Inc. has stood its ground holding its own. Countless man hours go into holding an organization together and producing a product that works, yet this season with planning and activities already on the horizon, July will mark Expo’s 53rd year in existence. Not bad for what began as a spark of a vision by individuals determined to bring light and visibility to our community.