#ohioblackexpo – The founder of the Ohio Black Expo, Rhonda D. Robinson, was initially inspired to create the Columbus Black Expo after successfully registering 70 plus vendors for the Columbus Black Convention in 1980.
The Columbus Black Expo was held at the Focal Point of Mt. Vernon Plaza from 1981 – 1987. After seven (7) years, realizing that the event was drawing people and vendors from all over the state, she changed the name to the Ohio Black Expo to reflect what was happening.
The first Ohio Black Expo (OBE) event took place at Veterans Memorial downtown. It was held there from 1988 through 1991, peaking at 300 exhibitors. She then decided that OBE should possibly be held in other cities in Ohio. The OBE was held in Dayton at the Dayton Convention Center in 1992. She moved it to Cincinnati, her hometown, in 1993 and 1994 at the Cincinnati Convention Center.
Save the date for the Ohio Black Expo, May 23-24, 2020 (Memorial Day Weekend). Food trucks, vendors, entertainment, exhibits, networking and more! Join thousands from around Ohio and surrounding states. The Ohio Black Expo is a statewide event in the heart of Downtown Columbus on the Scioto Mile Riverfront in Genoa Park. Come relax, enjoy and be inspired at this annual festival celebrating our culture and heritage. Watch NBC4 -WCMH interview for more information.
