Latest Drumming News
Ohio Black Expo: RIVERFRONT CULTURE FEST w/ Sheila E., KRS-One and more Part of the 2023 Ohio Black Expo: Culture Fest + Convention collection Showcasing BLACKEXPOLLENCE w/ food, music, vendors + more! Proceeds support Black youth + community programs.
Children 10 and under are FREE
Learn more: HERE
Location:
Genoa Park (Scioto Mile) Downtown
CBUS Riverfront South Civic Center Drive & West Rich Street
Columbus, OH 43215
Ohio Black Expo History:
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 all over the state, 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 visitors. She then decided that OBE should possibly be held in other cities in Ohio. The OBE was held in Dayton at the Dayton Convention Center in 1992. She moved it to Cincinnati, her hometown, in 1993 and 1994 at the Cincinnati Convention Center.
