To kick-off Black History Month, Hawaiʻi Black Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its first business and culture expo from 2 to 7 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Kapolei Heritage Center.
“Expect fun entertainment and good food,” said Danielle Wills, who founded the organization in 2023 and serves as its executive director and board president.
“We’re looking forward to getting together and spreading joy, especially with a lot of changes and concern about the nation right now.”
The event will feature business members of the Hawaiʻi Black Chamber of Commerce, in addition to community partners. She said there are currently about 55 members, “but we have found over 200 businesses in this first year, so we’re working to help them join and stay connected.”
Tomorrow’s expo will showcase at least five food vendors, artists and authors, as well as informational booths and live entertainers, including Sewa Fare African Dance & Drum. There will also be a keiki zone, Wills said, adding that they are expecting a turnout of 150 to 200 people.
“We’re looking to build community and plant seeds here because, ‘Together we thrive,’” she said. “We want to keep the momentum going to where the expo can happen more often and give our businesses more chances to reach more people.”
Looking ahead, Wills said that August is a busy month for them, too. The chamber plans to host a gala for National Black Business Month.
“The thing I stress for membership and our events is that we are the Black Chamber of Commerce, but we are welcoming everyone.”
A Kapolei resident, Wills is a business coach, entrepreneur and COO of Love Right Now, an event promotion company run by husband, Quinten. They have five kids. She is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi and has worked for the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce.
To learn more about Hawaiʻi Black Chamber of Commerce, go to: hiblkchamber.org.
For lineups and updates about the business and culture expo, check Instagram @hiblkchamber.
Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
