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DANVILLE – In observation of Black History Month, a subcommittee of the Danville Area Community College’s diversity team hatched the idea for its first Black Business Expo and Discussion that debuted Wednesday morning.

Community members as well as DACC business and accounting students attended the event that took place in the Bremer Theater and the lobby of the Bremer Conference Center.

Carla Boyd, director of career services/chief diversity officer, said conversations from last year’s Black History Month panel discussion, which was titled “Growing Up Black in America,” sparked the idea for this year’s Black Business Expo and Discussion.

“We talked about how much we needed to support one another in the African American community,” she said. “We also decided to do an expo to highlight their businesses.”

Diversity Team member Dawn Nasser, coordinator of campus and community resources/academic advisor, agreed.

The event kicked off with a panel discussion among business owners about starting and running a minority-owned small business.

The panel discussion was facilitated by Vermilion Advantage’s Tinisha Shade-Spain and featured local business owners, Tricia Teague of Think Like an Entrepreneur, Tabatha Forrest of Neveahh Beauty and Boutique, Terri Davis of Total Life Changes BIO, Robert Boyd of State Farm Insurance and Tim Leek of Leek & Sons Funeral Home.

The panel answered questions about their struggles and what advice they would give others interested in starting their own business.

“I thought it was great,” Davis said of the panel discussion. “It’s something we really need in our community.

“It gives you the opportunity to hear other people’s view,” she added. “Everybody here has that go get ‘em attitude. We didn’t let fear stop us.”

The business expo featured not only the panelists’ businesses but also the businesses of others, including Briana Vaughn of Briana’s Creations, Terry Gouard of A+ Cutz, Martha Reeves-Rose of Perfect Reflections and Bud Gouard of Bud’s BBQ.

“They are talking about their experiences and making connections,” Nasser said of the several business owners who set up at the expo.

Tori Brigham and Danyell Finkley enjoyed talking to the small business owners and learning what they have to offer. Briana Vaughn of Briana’s Creations surprised the two women with turtle candy cupcakes.

“We’re here to explore,” Brigham said. “I’m familiar with a lot of them (businesses).”

DACC students Steffanie Higgins and Kellie Waterman, both of Danville, were interested in learning more about running a small business.

“A lot of people are juggling a lot of responsibilities,” Waterman observed. “I appreciate the people who came out to do this (expo).”

Also on hand was Carol Nichols, director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at DACC, who provided information and assistance to potential and existing small business owners.

The Small Business Development Center offers one-on-one counseling and training sessions for anyone interested in starting or growing a small business.

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