There was a celebration indeed going on in Chicago at the McCormick Place the weekend of April 5-7. The Black Women’s Expo presented by State Farm held its 19^th annual event which celebrated African American women by providing empowering seminars, national speakers, and live main stage entertainment as well as an exhibit hall for tons of shopping!

Kicking off the expo were personal and professional development seminars which were tailored to develop adolescents. From researching and funding colleges to learning about etiquette, attendees had a chance to become well rounded in the many facets of life as they gear up to enter the real world. Then, the seasoned crowd made their way for the empowering experience which would carry over through the three day event. Seminars based on many topics including: love, relationships, community issues, health, self-empowerment, career, beauty, and many more!

Highlights of the event filled schedule featured the following seminars:

Make it Last Forever: A Conversation with Keith Sweat: Sponsored by State Farm – Keith Sweat, R&B singer, Author, and Entrepreneur gave a talk about his music, his new venues, and relationship tips for the ladies.

Opening Plenary Session: Sponsored by State Farm – 
Susan L. Taylor, Founder and CEO, National CARES Mentoring Movement, Former Editor-in-Chief Emeritus, Essence Magazine, Philanthropist, Community Activist provided morning inspiration for attendees. From her personal stories, Taylor empowered the crowd through a conversation about health, communities, and development of others, including children.

A Conversation with Sherri Shepherd, Co-host, The View, Creator, LUXHAIR Wig Line: Sponsored by State Farm – This girl talk allowed the audience to have a personal conversation with Sherri Shepherd about her marriage, weight loss, success and her latest venture, LUXHAIR Wig Line.

The Shred Challenge 
- Dr. Ian Smith, Author, and Former Judge on The Biggest Loser is making moves and encouraged others to make moves too by educating the crowd on health tips and fitness regiments.

A celebration of this magnitude would not be complete without the music. Gracing the stage on Friday was Tamela Mann, Actress and Gospel Artist who had the crowd jumping with praise and even mellowed the crowd with her latest song, Take Me to the King.

Then, Saturday featured many up and coming artists. One artist in particular, T.L. Williams, Chicago native and multi-talented artist and producer gave the crowd a unique fusion of jazz and pop vibes with his latest song, Getting’ Mo’ Money Than You, which will be included in his June CD release Life in Your Mid 20’s.

Closing the Saturday extravaganza was the “First Lady of R&B,” Faith Evans, who showcased her diva’ness and inspired the crowd to join in the celebration by singing her hit song Love Like This, and ending with Tears of Joy from her latest album, R&B Divas.

Sunday’s activities concluded with additional seminars featuring actress and comedian, Kim Coles and actor, comedian, health advocate and community activist, Dick Gregory as well as a performance by ACME Missionary Baptist Church Choir who are known for being 2008 Verizon’s How Sweet the Sound Grand Finale Winner. It was an empowerment and FUNfilled weekend which celebrated and educated the woman of color and gave these women a renewed spirit to continue their journey of peace, love, and power.

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes! – Maya Angelou

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