At the center of the black community, fellowship has always held significance. Events that are widely accepted as historic, pivotal, and cornerstone events in the black community usually provide networking, socializing, and fellowship. The Million Man March. Barack Obama’s Presidential Inauguration. The March on Washington. Each event allowed black movers and shakers the opportunity to make an impact and the opportunity to network. The ripple effect felt by the black community from these events provide a much needed push toward progression.
Founded in 2014, the Black Alumni Networking Expo (BAN Expo) is a professional advancement-networking forum that has reached 7,000 professionals across the country to date. The Expo fosters a networking environment for Black professionals to engage with local companies, businesses, non-profits, and other organizations to promote their objectives, expand their presence, and broaden their network.
Everyone in attendance is afforded the opportunity to interact with local, state, and national political figures in addition to leaders in several fields including the Black community. The Black Alumni Network Expo provides this much sought-after forum without waiting for the next election, tragedy, or anniversary celebration.
In its inaugural year, the Expo saw over 1,500 registered attendees and 24 civic and corporate partners. The second year, the expo will be bigger and better. The 2015 Black Alumni Ball will be hosted in Arlington, Virginia on July 25th, 2015 from 11am to 4pm at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at Reagan National Airport, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway. Panelists include Dr. Vernon J. Hurte, Assistant to the VP and Senior Associate Dean of Students at the College of William & Mary who is also a graduate of the University of Tennessee , Bowie State and Virginia Union University and Dr. Ivory Toldson, Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs and Associate Professor at Howard University, who is a graduate of Louisiana State, Pennsylvania State, and Temple University.
The Black Alumni Ball is a black tie affair hosted at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City at 9pm with music by Johnny Graham & The Groove and DJ Schemes. Special Invited guests include Sunni And The City, WPGC 95.5 Radio Host, Lawrence Washington Jr. , Former Professional Tennis Player, and Genese Jamilah, Digital Production Manager at EBONY Magazine and Founder of I Don’t Do Clubs. The Ball is a premiere upscale event for the nation’s top young professionals.
A portion of the proceeds for the Black Alumni Ball will be donated to United Negro College Fund. For more information, to sponsor, or to purchase tickets to the Expor or Ball, visit www.blackalumninetworkingexpo.com.
