Another important event providing outreach to potential students from African American communities across the state is scheduled for Feb. 29-March 1 at Sacramento State, with thousands of people expected to attend. (Sacramento State/Student Affairs)
By Cynthia Hubert
More than 7,000 people from across California are projected to visit Sacramento State Feb. 29-March 1 to celebrate Black History Month and gather information about higher education, business and career opportunities, health care, housing and more.
The Black Expo gathering, held last year at Cal Expo, is a demonstration of Sac State’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and its efforts to be “an anchor in the Sacramento community,” said Marcellene Watson-Derbigny, the University’s associate vice president of student retention and academic success.
Sacramento resident Rick Warren founded the event more than 30 years ago to showcase African American culture and help people of color connect to resources that can put them on paths to college and beyond.
“Black Expo is significant because it means that diversity and equality is at the forefront of everyone’s goal to share opportunity and access,” Warren stated in an information package about the event.
Small-business owners will be on hand to display their products and services to consumers, Warren said. In addition, Expo visitors will have access to resources designed to help “close existing gaps that prevent success, and build new bridges.”
Also available to participants will be information about college and employment; resources for senior citizens and youth; access to real estate and financial professionals; opportunities to interact with political leaders and elected officials; and a chance to share ideas with exhibitors.
The event, which will include workshops, seminars, food, music and other entertainment, will be in the University Ballroom in the University Union, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, and noon - 5 p.m. Sunday, March 1. Residents of communities from Sacramento to Bakersfield are expected to attend. Admission is free.
The Expo will highlight, among other things:
- An Education Summit, featuring representatives from universities, community colleges and vocational schools.
- A Home Ownership Fair, with workshops, seminars and guest speakers focusing on navigating the housing market.
- Information on minority-owned small businesses.
- A Health and Wellness Pavilion, addressing topics such as racial and ethnic disparities in health care and workforce diversity.
- A Careers in Law Enforcement component, with information about jobs in local police departments, federal agencies and other potential employers.
- Information on energy efficiency and environmental justice.
Black Expo attendees will be encouraged to vote in the March 3 Super Tuesday balloting.
“Black Expo 32 is our Election Expo,” Warren said. “It is more significant than ever to be part of our political and information resource epicenter.”
More information about the 32nd annual Black Expo is available online.