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The Real Black Friday Expo expecting hundreds of entrepreneurs, community leaders

Posted at 6:39 AM, Aug 18, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-18 07:41:00-04

Black-owned and operated businesses take the stage this weekend. 

The Real Black Friday Exposition is happening this Sunday from 3-7 p.m. at the Tri-C Eastern Campus.

It’s a chance for black-owned businesses to learn from each other, but also for the community to be aware of the possibilities.

By this year, The Nielsen Company predicted African Americans’ buying power to reach $1.3 trillion.

That buying power hurts, though, when consumers don’t spend their money towards black-owned businesses. 

One business owner, Isaiah Thomas, the CEO of I & A Automotive, left a job to start his own.

“It was a, it was a leap of faith to be honest,” said Thomas.

His perseverance is something LaRese B. Purnell, who is the founder of The Real Black Friday, hopes all black business owners can experience.

Wanting consumers to financially support these businesses, Purnell created therealblackfriday.comas a way for businesses and people to connect.

“This is allowing me to bring people who are doing great business, people who are starting up and people who are right there in the middle together to be able to share ideas.

800 entrepreneurs and community leaders are expected to be there. New’s 5 Danita Harris will be there on the panel, too.