Owensboro Black Expo forges to the next plateau
This year, Owensboro Black Expo celebrates 53 years and stands as the longest operating Black organization in Owensboro, KY.
By McCellus Mays
When the Owensboro Black Expo (OBE) says they are on the move forward to get it done, that’s what you find this dedicated committee of nine doing. As I spoke with a few of its members, I was made aware that this is a working committee. “Moving forward is the only way we know to go,” stated Amanda Johnson, the board’s president. “Being my first year with the committee I see an explosion of things happening and I am challenged with the responsibility to make certain all is executed properly.”
This year, fifty-three years of running underscores OBE being the longest operating Black organization in Owensboro, KY. ‘Expo’, as it is often referred to, has trimmed many of its feature activities from days past, but that candle of inspiration remains alive within the organization. There was the Anna Martin-Leitha Buck award given to individuals for continued community service, holiday dances, DJs on the Executive Inn party boat, and scholarly writing contests for youth to compete for monetary prizes. A few of these activities have been erased, yet today a host of events are on the radar making their fifty-third season a time to look forward to in the community.
From Black History culture presentations, fashion exhibits, ancestral recognition to a taste of Owensboro and music in the park, these are just a few of Expos upcoming attractions. As many reflect upon the decades of events and activities they enjoyed and participated in, residents, the city and visitors still mark their calendar highlighting events presented each year.
“Striving to maintain its presence for another fifty years, we want to cultivate our younger generation to afford appreciation of the effort, challenges, and successes made by us (BIPOC) in Owensboro,” remitted veteran member Deborah Hampton. “Expo is and has always had something for everyone. It truly depicts diversity and inclusion by welcoming everyone.” Be it happening in the park, the convention center, church, or across town, find yourself in celebration with Expo. Owensboro Black Expo, Inc. is active on Facebook. You can find the group’s event information and postings on their Facebook page.
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