Black Cultural Center at Ohio State University Carries Legacy of Dr. Frank W. Hale Jr.

#ohioblackexpo (VIDEO) Dr. Frank W. Hale Jr. was a dynamic individual and tremendous force at Ohio State University. In 1989, the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center was established in the heart of the OSU campus. Over the years, the center has served and been a major focal point for African American students on campus. Frank W. Hale, an HBCU grad from Oakwood University, strongly advocated for black and brown students. Dr. Hale was Vice Provost for the Office of Minority Affairs, Associate Dean of the Graduate School and Special Assistant to the President at the Ohio State University.

Ohio Black Expo is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life, success and well-being for African-Americans in Ohio. Our initiatives focus on and address several areas that include: health, education, business and youth to name a few.

 

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 around the state and beyond, she changed the name to the Ohio Black Expo to reflect what was happening.

The first Ohio Black Expo took place at Veterans Memorial in downtown Columbus. It was held there from 1988 through 1991, peaking at almost 300 exhibitors and over 30,000 attendees.