Join business owners, community leaders, and supporters for shopping, practical workshops, and meaningful connections. Presented by The Empowerment Group LLC.
Watch our 60-second Milwaukee Black Business Expo video and get ready to connect, shop, and grow.
Explore attendee packages ↗Celebrating Black-owned businesses, community connections, and conversations that inspire growth. Select a photo to view it in full.
Community connections at the Janette Marie Jewelry vendor display
Jewelry showcase at the 2026 Milwaukee Black Business Expo
Expo team members beside the 2026 event banner
Speakers sharing the stage at the Milwaukee Black Business Expo
Business panel discussion at the Milwaukee Black Business ExpoWatch Facebook reel 1 ↗ Watch Facebook reel 2 ↗ Watch Facebook reel 3 ↗
CBS 58 featured the 2026 Milwaukee Black Business Expo at the Zoofari Center, highlighting opportunities to shop, connect, and support local Black-owned businesses.
Read the story & watch on CBS 58 ↗Explore more of the Milwaukee Black Business Expo through this Facebook reel.
Watch the Facebook reel ↗Presented by The Empowerment Group LLC, the Expo brings business owners, community leaders, and supporters together. Everyone is welcome.
Explore Black-owned businesses, discover products and services, and meet the people behind them. Admission to shop the vendor showcase is free.
Join practical workshops for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Two breakout rooms are planned, with four 40-minute sessions in each room.
Start the day with a networking brunch, hear from a keynote speaker, and connect with business owners and community resources.
Celebrate three Black-owned businesses and the people making a difference in Milwaukee. Nominate a business for recognition at the 2027 Expo.
Nominate a business ↗The date and venue are confirmed. Program times, workshop topics, and speakers remain subject to confirmation.
Connect with Funders, Investors, Executives & Community Leaders Who Can Help Grow Your Business.
10–11 AM • MLK Room
UWM Student Union
2200 E. Kenwood Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53211
Start your Expo day with conversation and opportunities to connect with business owners and community leaders.
$35 per person • Includes networking brunch and the free vendor showcase. Workshops are sold separately.
Reserve your brunch spot — $35 ↗Enjoy the Empower Connections Networking Brunch, welcome ceremony, all workshop sessions, and vendor showcase.
Add workshops for $44 more. Save $5 compared with purchasing the $35 brunch and $49 Workshop Pass separately.
Choose the Full Experience Pass ↗From morning conversations to an afternoon of discovery, there’s room to connect at every turn.
PROPOSED PROGRAM • SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION10–11 AM in the MLK Room. $35 per person, or included in the $79 Full Experience Pass. Explore brunch and reserve your seat.
Announcements and an inspiring start to the day. Included in the Workshop Pass and Full Experience Pass.
Free admission for ongoing shopping, business connections, and community resources.
All workshops are included in the Workshop Pass and Full Experience Pass. Both include the welcome ceremony and vendor showcase; the Full Experience Pass also includes networking brunch. Workshop Pass: $49. Full Experience Pass: $79. Workshop topics and speakers will be announced.
Topics and speakers to be announced.
Topics and speakers to be announced.
Topics and speakers to be announced.
Topics and speakers to be announced.
Shop for free, learn at the workshops, or enjoy the full experience with networking brunch.
Includes shopping the vendor showcase and access to community resources.
Meet Black-owned business owners and discover their products and services.
Register free ↗Includes the welcome ceremony, all workshops, and the vendor showcase.
Networking brunch is not included.
Register for workshops ↗Includes networking brunch, the welcome ceremony, all workshops, and the vendor showcase.
Connect with business owners and community leaders over brunch before the day's program.
Register for the full experience ↗Connect with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community partners over brunch at the Milwaukee Black Business Expo. Workshop admission is sold separately.
Register for brunch ↗| Included | General Admission | Workshop Pass | Full Experience Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $49 | $79 |
| Vendor showcase & community resources | Included | Included | Included |
| Welcome ceremony | Not included | Included | Included |
| All workshops | Not included | Included | Included |
| Networking brunch | Not included | Not included | Included |
All attendee registration options are open. General Admission: Free • Workshop Pass: $49 • Empower Connections Networking Brunch: $35 • Full Experience Pass: $79. Workshop topics and speakers will be announced.
Help create a day that puts Milwaukee businesses and community connections in the spotlight.
Introduce your products and services, meet new customers, and connect with fellow entrepreneurs at the vendor showcase.
Complete your application, sign the vendor agreement, and pay securely through Square right away. No application review or preapproval is required. Choose Early Bird Vendor, Early Bird VIP Vendor Package, General Vendor, or VIP Vendor Package and pay through Square. Early Bird Vendor Booth Only: $125. Early Bird VIP Vendor: $150. Vendor Booth Only: $150. VIP Vendor: $175. Vendor applications close January 31, 2027. Early Bird pricing is available through December 31, 2026; standard pricing applies January 1, 2027. Both VIP vendor packages include one vendor booth and one Workshop Pass per booth for one representative to attend multiple workshop sessions throughout the Expo (not just one class). Networking brunch is not included.
Vendor registrationSupport local entrepreneurship through sponsorship, resource sharing, or community participation.
Community partners tabling an information booth or speaking are planned to participate at no charge.
Discuss a partnershipKnow a Black-owned business making an impact? Nominate them—or your own business—for recognition. Three businesses will be honored at the 2027 Expo.
Nominations: Open now.
Nomination deadline: January 31, 2027.
Review and winner notification: Dates to be announced. The organizer will contact selected businesses directly.
Recognition: At the Expo on Saturday, February 13, 2027, at the UWM Student Union.
Nominations will be considered for business achievements and growth, community impact, customer service, and the specific examples provided.
The organizer will review nominations and select three Black-owned businesses. This is not a public voting contest; receiving a nomination does not guarantee selection.
Watch our award nomination invitation, then nominate a business using the form below.
Winners will be honored at the Milwaukee Black Business Expo 2027.
Nomination deadline: January 31, 2027.
Nominate now ↗The 4th Annual Milwaukee Black Business Expo will take place on Saturday, February 13, 2027, at the UWM Student Union, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd., Milwaukee, WI 53211. Program details are still being finalized.
Yes! Everyone is welcome to shop Black-owned businesses, connect with community resources, and support Milwaukee entrepreneurs.
General Admission registration is free and includes shopping the vendor showcase and community resources. The Workshop Pass includes the welcome ceremony, all workshops, and the vendor showcase. The Full Experience Pass adds networking brunch. Workshop Pass: $49. Full Experience Pass: $79. Empower Connections Networking Brunch is $35 separately.
Vendor registration is now open. Complete your application, sign the agreement, and continue to Square checkout. All attendee registration options are open. Register and continue to Square for paid options.
The Expo is presented by The Empowerment Group LLC, led by Rita Malone. People. Purpose. Progress.
Use this form only for registration-opening alerts. Choose attendee, vendor, or both. For ongoing event announcements, speakers, and award news, subscribe to Expo news instead. Neither signup registers you for the Expo.
Support opportunities for Black-owned businesses to connect, grow, and reach new customers.
Explore sponsorship of the Expo, business awards, workshops, or networking experience. Contact us to discuss availability, contributions, and recognition.
Become a Sponsor ↗Bring business resources, expertise, or connections to the Expo. Community partners tabling an information booth or speaking are planned to participate at no charge.
Partner with the Expo ↗Confirmed 2027 sponsors and partners will be announced here.
Receive event announcements, workshop and speaker updates, business awards news, and ways to get involved.
Questions about attending, exhibiting, or partnering with the Expo? Get in touch with our team.
Ask about packages, workshops, or registration.
Contact about attending ↗Ask about vendor packages, applications, or booth details.
Contact about exhibiting ↗Explore sponsorship and community partnership opportunities.
Contact about partnering ↗Come out and support the Milwaukee Black Business Expo on Saturday, February 13, 2027, at the UWM Student Union.