Black Expo hosts 'Black Like Me' event
ELKHART — The Elkhart Chapter of Indiana Black Expo will host a community conversation titled “Black Like Me, Building Up a Community.”
The free event is begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at the downtown Elkhart Public Library, 300 S. 2nd St.
“In today’s society our kids in our community only see what we show them,” chapter president Robert Taylor said, and from a media and social media standpoint, African-Americans are not always shown in a positive image. This community conversation is a starting point, Taylor says.
The Elkhart Chapter has compiled a panel of successful African-Americans from around the Midwest to talk about how education and proper planning can be a road to success.
“In our community, we always thought that our role models were actors and athletes,” Taylor said. “On May 4, we want to show not only the kids but the entire community that if they choose the right path and the right career they too can be successful without taking the path of music or sports.”
Panelists will include Mayor Rod Roberson, Elkhart’s first African American mayor; attorney Shannon A. Buari, with the law office AAK Law; LeVon Whittaker, anchor, ABC57 News; Elkhart Fire Chief Rodney Dale; Marci Taylor, station director, WSMK 99.1; Levon Johnson, CEO of the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce; Wyatt Waters, United States Army; Rickey Hence, Marriott; Fonnie Mack, Liden Bar & Grill; Esleen Fultz, executive director, Heart City Health; Giselle Valentine, ABC57; Michael Robinson, Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance; Anthony Coleman, Coleman Counseling and Consulting; Sharata Pratcher Smith, principle; Brandon Arnold, Bakers Nook Café; Ron Bartholomew, general manager, WNDU South Bend; Staff Sgt. Brandon McClodden, United States Army,
“Lots of things can be learned through these types pf conversations,” Taylor said, “and unless we show our community different our community will think the only successful African-Americans and role models are on the court and in videos, but in fact they have very successful role models walking past them every day.”
