Black Womens Expo Returns to Chicago Venue

BWe Next, the Black Women’s Expo, returned to McCormick Place in Chicago this year after the pandemic forced the event to pivot to an online platform in 2020 and cancel in-person activities. 2021 was the biggest year in the 27-year history of the Black Women’s Expo, with over 400 exhibitors. Still, the exhibit hall setup allowed enough space for all to comfortably move around, sit down, or stand in place while staying safely distanced.

During the seminar titled Who Checks on the Strong Friend? on the final day of BWe Next, Dr. Amanda Long discussed redefining strength, strategies for promoting self-care, and building emotional awareness. She offered the following words of wisdom:

• Learn to set boundaries.
• There will be resistance from the people who benefited from the old you.
• Be prepared for war.
• There must be consequences for those who do not respect your boundaries.
• Demand consistency.
  
  

It was an honor and a privilege to attend the panel discussion featuring fellow Black women journalists. The panel included Chicago Sun-Times Columnist Mary Mitchell,  Chicago Sun-Times Staff Reporter Rachel Hinton, and CAN TV Host Sylvia Snowden.

During the seminar titled Who Checks on the Strong Friend?, Dr. Amanda Long discussed redefining strength, strategies for promoting self-care, and building emotional awareness. She offered the following words of wisdom:

• Learn to set boundaries.
• There will be resistance from the people who benefited from the old you.
• Be prepared for war.
• There must be consequences for those who do not respect your boundaries.
• Demand consistency.​​

When I joined the 40+ Plus Double Dutch Club Facebook page the morning of the expo, little did I know I would jump rope with them that afternoon. After lasting for about a minute while jumping double dutch, I felt invigorated and decided to officially become a member of this club of exceptional ladies at day. It has been a blessing ever since.

I’m looking forward to the future of BWe Next as Founder Merry Green and her team continue to go through the process of reinvention.

I will end with these powerful words that I heard from a presenter in the Walgreens Pavilion: “Embrace yourself! Embrace your beauty! Embrace the skin that you're in!”