OAKS — Area residents attending this weekend’s Black Author & Business Expo can expect plenty of books, biz and banter.
Nearly 500 people have registered for the free event, which is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday in Hall D of the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Ave.
“There will be a space for authors, entrepreneurs, community organizers, organizers, [and] county departments can connect. A space where people can gain knowledge, discover resources, build partnerships, and expand what is possible,” said Montgomery County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Interim Chief Veirdre Jackson.
Jackson noted that the inaugural event will take place during Black Business Month and highlighted the “stories, innovation, legacy, and impact” as the theme in remarks back in June during Montgomery County’s Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony.
Attendees can expect to network, dialogue with authors, participate in workshops, and gain resources and other insights from area organizations.
“There are talented authors who have powerful stories to tell, but many do not know how to navigate publishing, marketing, branding, or turning their books into sustainable platforms,” Jackson said. “There are entrepreneurs and small businesses with incredible products and services who may not have access to the resources, partnerships, funding opportunities, and business knowledge needed to scale, stabilize, and grow their business.”
Montgomery County recognizes 2026 Juneteenth contest winners
Event sponsors include ACLAMO, Alpha Kappa Alpha, BeReZilient, Bucks-Mont Collaborative, Creative Health Services, Community Dialogues For Action, Electro Soft, F.O.R.C.E, Karla Trotman, Maternity Care Coalition, NAACP Main Line Branch, Valencia Key and the YWCA Tri-County Area, according to a press release issued ahead of the event.
“The entire community thrives when we create connections across cultures, industries, neighborhoods, and experiences,” Jackson said. “We build a stronger Montgomery County for everyone.”
“The expo is about literacy, entrepreneurship, innovation, emotional wellness, community, and economic empowerment,” she continued. “It is about creating pathways where information reaches the people who need it, where opportunities are visible, and where talent is celebrated.”
