January 23, 2022

2021 Ohio Black Expo continues with virtual setting; plans for in-person Expo in 2022

Although the Ohio Black Expo will conclude its 2021 events on Saturday, the organization is looking forward to 2022.

“We are excited about expanding this year’s virtual expo,” Ohio Black Expo founder Rhonda D. Robinson said in a release. “But we are eager to return to in-person events next year, culminating with the riverfront festival here in Columbus.”

The dates for next year’s event will be May 25-29, 2022. The 2022 Expo is planned to be fully in person, Ohio Black Expo Vice President and Communications Director Sherri Hamilton said.

“Next year, 2022, we’ll be down on the riverfront for sure,” Hamilton said. “(With) COVID restrictions gone we hope.”

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Ohio Black Expo is a statewide humanitarian organization, originally formed in 1988, that is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Ohio’s African American citizens, by establishing and encouraging an independent self-help approach to problem solving.

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 (OBE) event took place at Veterans Memorial downtown. It was held there from 1988 through 1991, peaking at almost 300 exhibitors and over 30,000 attendees.