Last weekend, The Black Women’s Expo (BWe) celebrated 25 years in a big way at McCormick Place in Chicago. The theme of the event is #SheMatters, and it's all about empowering and celebrating the strength of Black women.

Another quote that stood out was from Natasha Williams who stated, “Success is everyday that I can continue to do this,” referring to her vision which she started from nothing. During this empowering session, members of the panel also advised audience members to build supportive networks; take advantage of community resources; be willing to make necessary sacrifices; move at your own pace; be fearless about asking for advice from people who have experience in your industry; have faith; be perseverant; and find peace.

Later in the evening during Fabulously Ageless: A Conversation with Kim Coles, the lady who we know and love as Synclaire James from the sitcom Living Single had the audience laughing hysterically as she discussed the challenges she has faced with auditioning for subsequent roles, her struggle with depression, and rediscovery of herself. Kim has many great things in the works. Instead of waiting for Hollywood to call on her, she is using her gifts as an entrepreneur to create opportunities. She talked about her new book, Open Your G.I.F.T.S., Vol. 2., which is about turning hardships into strengths. She gave away some copies for free to those who were able to confirm their memberships with AARP, which is the company that Kim has partnered with to present her storytelling workshop, Love Your Story, in different cities. For me, the take-away was to stop seeing disappointment as the end but instead as a chance for new beginnings with great possibilities.

On Saturday, I stopped by the Protect Your ASSets Sis seminar. Emphasis was placed on the need to establish credit and create a business plan ahead of starting a business. We were also reminded of the importance of finding a mentor; however we should be careful of scams by people who claim to be experts and charge money for advice that they are not necessarily qualified to offer. While building businesses, we must be careful who we connect ourselves with and be protective of our business goals.

Before the start of Double Threat: The WOW of POW and Drop That Mic session, the dynamic and electrifying Peggy Riggins guided the audience through several warm-up exercises, including challenging a few of us step up to the mic and give on-the-spot interpretations of phrases that were revealed to us on cards. She then introduced the incomparable Hermene Hartman, who gave a presentation on advertising, branding, and transformation that was unlike any other that I had seen. "That is your power, to do what it is that you do," said Hermene to the audience. She urged us to watch how we reveal ourselves on social media. Also, branding is a must-have and, since it is your signature, it should distinguish you from others while accurately representing what you want to look like. When it comes to marketing, you should be clear on the message you are trying to communicate, "think different", and disrupt the market.

The Securing the Bag: Making Money Moves  seminar focused on guarding our finances, or “the bag.” During the discussion about creating multiple streams of income, we were advised to start with something we are good at, build a strategy around it to create a business opportunity, and develop a plan of action. We need to make people aware of our abilities, change our mindset, and do something different everyday in order to get different results. Also, we should stop limiting ourselves and be intentional about broadening our circles and become a part of more circles that are to our benefit. Developing multiple streams of income takes time, but we were assured that we will see our bags start to grow if we stay consistent with our plans.

In reference to protecting the bag, we learned about the various reasons why a trust is more effective than a will when it comes to estate planning. For one thing, a will is only in effect when you pass away, and you must go through the court system to ensure proper administration of the distribution of assets; whereas a trust is in existence during your lifetime and does not require going through the courts. We should view a trust as a business life plan. A suggestion was made to find someone you can trust to know your information and make decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated. Also, we must not be afraid to have the difficult conversations around finances while taking steps to protect the bag. The more you have at stake, the more cautious you should be in protecting what you own. We must trust our own judgment, practice what we believe,  and be able to say “no” with confidence when something does not seem right. If you are confused about a situation that presents a potential opportunity, you should give yourself time to receive clarity before making a decision. Whatever decisions you make, you should start with the end goal in mind. It was suggested to find ways to develop low-risk income streams, perhaps starting with offering services based on a natural talent, and then later invest in something riskier. “The first thing should pay for the next thing that should pay for the next thing,” said IngridLaVon Woolfolk. The bottom line is that it is imperative to protect ourselves, our investments, and our families as we create and grow our wealth.

On Saturday afternoon, Glenn Jones rocked the main stage in front of a super packed crowd, singing "At Last" and other favorites. Those of us who were standing could barely move as we attempted to sway in unison,  reminiscing to the sounds of this soul singer. Headlining that evening was Eric Benet who is known for songs like "Spend My Life With You" and "Femininity". He wowed the crowd with his silky smooth voice and graciously acknowledged the presence of those of us who were fortunate enough to be standing directly in front of the stage.

On Sunday, in between gospel performances, I joined a group of ladies on the main stage for a high-energy Afro Zumba Demonstration with Ayodele Drum & Dance. It was invigorating, fun, and challenging at the same time. I am glad I was able to keep up, and I appreciate this talented group for extending the invitation.

After catching my breath, I caught the last of the Increase Your Profits with Tax Saving Strategies panel discussion, which proved to be a few minutes well spent. During this time, I gained valuable insight on maximizing real possibilities as a business owner.

Panelist David Turner, a CPA who works with small businesses, mentioned that running a business as an LLC is a good idea mainly for legal liability purposes, as well as the tax benefits associated with it. Nikki Hayes, owner of Pier 31 Restaurant, expressed gratitude for having had the opportunity to create a beach venue that is a safe, enjoyable space with live music. It is rewarding for her when people show appreciation for the existence of Pier 31. "31st Street Beach has always been ours...It's [now] called Margaret Burroughs Beach, and we had been there before that beautiful harbor got there." Dusties Buffet owner Dr. Kenneth Lewis, Sr., who became an entrepreneur at the age of 8, said that his journey has been a joyful one of giving and sharing. "My purpose right now is to give back," he declared. He enjoys hearing success stories from those who have benefited from his advice. His goal is to help people change their circumstances and create generational wealth; and help propel businesses. He said that it starts with deciding not to allow yourself to be limited by your thought process.

​Evelyn Holmes of ABC 7 hosted Taking Off the Mask: A Workshop on Black Women’s Pain. She started off with a series of hard-hitting, thought-provoking questions: “Are you in pain? Can you own that? Are you angry and not know why?...Do you feel abandoned? Do you feel lied to?...Who did the lying?” The purpose of this session was to address issues that strong Black women face, which stem from dealing with situations that cause pain, and then find solutions instead of seeing ourselves as victims. Attendees were forced to self-evaluate and truthfully answer difficult questions about ourselves. For some of us, it is difficult to admit when we need help. “So, we tend to wear this mask that covers our pain so we can continue to be that superwoman that we have been taught,” said Renee Perry-Portee, LCPC. It made me recall a quote that I had read recently: "It's ok not to be ok." We must be able to admit when we feel powerless and be willing to seek professional guidance or find a safe space so we can learn to let go and move forward. "Don't allow the pain of our past to control our present and dictate our future," quoted Evangelist Paulette Holloway Rush. These are words that I will carry with me. I ended my time at BWe feeling empowered to speak my truth.

It was an honor to cover The Black Women's Expo for the first time, and it was an extremely enjoyable and rewarding experience, just as it has been since its inception 25 years ago. For more information on the vendors, presenters, performers, etc. who participated in The Black Women's Expo, as well as the upcoming BWe Atlanta in September, visit https://theblackwomensexpo.com/.

Shawn Michelle's Old Fashioned Homemade Ice Cream is back and better than ever! Anchoring the west end of the beautifully restored and renovated Rosenwald building in Chicago’s Bronzeville community, Shawn Michelle's is now housed in its permanent location.

Shawn Michelle’s, owned by the husband and wife team of Yahya and Nataki Muhammad, had its grand opening on Saturday, March 30, 2019. The support of the community was overwhelming, and the place was full of high energy and anticipation about welcoming this new establishment. As I sat near the window taking in all the excitement, the young people were being entertained while anxiously waiting to partake in a variety of delicious ice cream treats; and others were sitting back and relaxing on the comfortable, tufted high-back couch laughing and showing brother/sisterhood. The fun, colorful decoration alone is welcoming and makes this such a delightful place to enjoy an incredibly delectable ice cream experience. Being there was reminiscent of my childhood, and it took me back to a time when my mother would make that special trip to the neighborhood ice cream place. When we saw the colorful sign painted on the outside of the building, we would get so excited knowing we were in for a treat! ​(continued below)

This was my first time attending a Mix N Mingle networking event hosted by the Chatham Business Association (CBA) on Thursday, March 28, 2019, and it was an enjoyable and purposeful affair. I had a great time speaking to, laughing with, and learning from both long-time members and supporters of CBA while being entertained by guitarist/vocalist Mike Ross and satisfying our appetites with a delicious variety of food and desserts from Chatham businesses including Brown Sugar Bakery.

The Chatham business community is thriving and continues to expand, but it can be further strengthened by ensuring that the Chatham neighborhood receives its fair share of the billions of dollars that the city of Chicago expects to generate for the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, which has been designated to support economic development in specific communities. “Know your power”! exclaimed 17th Ward Alderman David Moore. We can do so much more collectively, so we must be intentional about working together and uplifting one another.

It was brought to the attention of the public officials who were present that small businesses are facing new challenges with the increase in minimum wage. They are being forced to cut staff which, in turn, has had an adverse effect on customer service. A plea was made to increase available resources in order to offer additional training to better prepare employees to handle the increased demand that has been placed on them.

The expungement process is another issue that was addressed. The problem is that most individuals who are eligible for expungement are unable to file a petition due to fee requirements. There is a push for the Illinois legislature to pass Bill HB2500, which will make the expungement process more fair to those who were formerly incarcerated by reducing the time allowed to challenge a petition and decreasing the required fees.

Like any other neighborhood, Chatham can only survive and prosper if its residents are given fair and equitable opportunities to contribute to its success.