The PUB Report

August 1-3

By Alicia Sanders

McCormick Place

[Chicago] The Black Women’s Expo 2008, revamped, renewed, re-energized and on- point sums up this year’s expo, a national destination event presented by State Farm. The former “Expo for Today’s Black Woman” resumed after a one year hiatus. One of the main initiatives of this year’s expo was to return back to original components that made this long-running annual expo a success under the direction of Merry Green. It was definitely different, I noted that more people were there for content: substantive information, engaging discourse and seminars/workshops as well as the entertainment value. Given the economy, job cuts and a heated presidential election, people are concerned about important issues such as: entrepreneurship guidance, town hall meetings, healthcare, education and parenting. The Black Women’s Expo delivered beginning day one on Friday of the Expo with a wonderful day of seminars and a Leadership Summit with keynote Speaker Anita Hill, along with general seminars over the three-day event: “Turning Your Passion Into Profit,” “From Pen To Publishing,” “HIV Youth Seminar,” “Incarcerated Women: Breaking The Cycle,” “What Good Men Really Want” to list a portion.

Town Hall Meeting on Politics –Your Vote Counts:
The Importance of the Black Community
(Moderator: Santita Jackson)
(Panelists: Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Dr. Michael Eric
Dyson, Avis LaVelle, Honorable Dorothy Tillman and
Dick Gregory)

To a standing room audience, this lively, passionate and informative panel energized, offered solutions and dialogued with a concerned community about today’s challenging times and the upcoming election and what it means. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson and other panelists engaged the audience and took questions. It was nice to see the room completely filled and spoke volumes about where we are today and community awareness. People realize inevitable change is occurring before our eyes in this country and we must be aware, present, vocal and act in order not to be completely locked out.

In the Spirit with Susan L. Taylor
(Introduction by Amy Hilliard)
(Sponsored by State Farm)

 Susan L. Taylor, former long-time Essence Magazine Editor-in-Chief and black media icon is never at a loss for words! She inspires and uplifts and now challenges us as she heads up the National Cares Mentoring Movement. A mentoring initiative for at-risk youth in-conjunction with Essence Cares, “a call to action for every able Black adult to take under their wing a vulnerable young person, which costs nothing,” according to Taylor.
Her discussion goes from what she is known for and have championed for many years “love yourself” to relationships, community activism and addressing social problems to just having the infinite ability to relate and identify with women on a very personal level as she celebrate men and honor their beauty and struggle. Susan Taylor was a sheer delight with a wonderful sense of humor, beauty and heart and soul. To learn more about her current project and to get involve visit www.caresmentoring.com or www.essencecares.com.

“Angels Can’t Help But Laugh” Terri J. Vaughn

Actress Terri J. Vaughn (All of Us and The Steve Harvey Show) was on hand to screen her documentary film “Angels Can’t Help But Laugh,” a look at the struggle of Black Hollywood Actresses. She’s engaging and caring and did a great job in bringing together some of our favorite Black actresses to go beyond lamenting about Hollywood’s huge disparities for Black actors, but instead offered solutions, critical analysis and perspective on what the future holds for actors looking to break through barriers. I have two words, “Tyler Perry.” It’s a very funny and poignant documentary with Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell, Meagan Good, Regina King, Wendy Racquel Robinson, Vanessa Williams, Kym Whitley, Paula Jai Parker, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jasmine Guy, Essence Atkins, Dawnn Lewis, Tamela Jones and other actresses. You just gotta see it; these women really open up and reveal the not-so-pretty aspect of being a Hollywood actress while being Black. Afterwards there was a great Q&A and the audience showed much support by purchasing the DVD and offering solutions to get wider distribution and the word out about this work. Vaughn stated how it hadn’t been easy to sell to networks such as BET or TV ONE, they passed, probably due to its candid exposure of the industry, the women are fearlessly open, honest and vulnerable about their feelings. This is why we need a Black Women’s Expo to showcase and share. I think it’s a “must-see” for what we take for granted when we sit and watch and be entertained. We look at the glamorous side and it is, stretch limos and red carpets, massive media and plenty of perks (free stuff), but in between it can get frightfully unpleasant. Worrying about your next paycheck, will you work again, maximizing your options, learning a business that’s highly subjective with many variables, balancing motherhood and relationships is an enormous price to pay to do what one loves. Honoring passion doesn’t come cheap! Terri Vaughn won over our hearts; she has such a warm courageous spirit and people really want her to succeed! Chicagoans understand the “creative grind” because of the difficulty most experience working in one of the top three major cities, but are shut-out of the mainstream of the entertainment industry to a great degree, but know you can hustle your way through to the top and gave Vaughn some good “hustle tips” to screen and promote her film. You can help by purchasing her documentary “Angels Can’t Help But Laugh.”
See a clip of the film @
www.angelscanthelpbutlaugh.com

 Exhibit Floor

Vendors were on hand for those who wanted to do some shopping, get something to eat or learn about services from insurance to chiropractors. One of the jewels of the exhibit floor was the beauty bazaar, from makeovers by Ebony Fashion Fair to manicures, body and chair massages to eyebrow arching managed by Dudley’s Beauty Staff while the main stage held a captive audience with a bevy of lively entertainers, Three-Piece, Classic Soul, Rahsaan Patterson, Syleena Johnson, MC Lyte, Lalah Hathaway and more.
The Black Women’s Expo is back on track, in step and in tune to the needs of Black Women and the family. I believe those who attended left more enlightened, inspired and rejuvenated with new tools and information. Be sure to attend next year’s Expo visit www.blackwomensexpos.com.
PUB