Black Expo Announces Keynote Speaker for

The State of African-American Business Awards Breakfast

Virginia Beach, Va.— Rick C. Wade, Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff for the Secretary of the United States Department of Commerce is coming to Virginia Beach to kickoff the Fifth Annual Virginia Black Expo. Wade is the keynote speaker at The State of African-American Business Awards Breakfast on Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 9 a.m. at the Westin Virginia Beach Town Center. The signature kickoff event is presented by the Virginia Black Expo and Black Pages USA in conjunction with the Departments of Economic Development in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk and Portsmouth.

Today’s State of African-American Business will be the topic addressed by Wade at the breakfast, which will also include remarks by Expo presenter and owner of Black Pages USA, Gerry McCants. Hosted by CW 27’s host and producer of “Here & Now on The CW” Kafi Rouse, this exceptional event is honored to present the Second Annual Business of the Year Awards, which recognizes one company from each sponsoring locality with a special award in honor of their commitment, service and leadership to the Hampton Roads business community.

“There are many companies in Hampton Roads who have set a great example on how to succeed during troubled economic times,” said Gerry McCants, President of McCants Communications Group, Inc., presenters of the Virginia Black Expo and publisher of the Black Pages USA directories. “It is truly our honor to not only be able to recognize them but also to hear from our keynote speaker Rick Wade who is an official in President Obama’s administration. Wade’s appearance in Hampton Roads is exciting, and I am pleased that the community now has the chance to meet him.

Wade, a native of Lancaster, South Carolina is now the Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff for the Secretary of the United States Department of Commerce. His experience has crossed business, government, political and community lines. During the 2008 presidential election, he served as National Senior Advisor to Senator Barack Obama. In that role, he provided overall campaign oversight and developed political strategy with particular emphasis on the early primary states of Iowa and South Carolina. As National Director of African American Vote, he successfully directed efforts to mobilize unprecedented numbers of African Americans across the country.

A community leader, Wade has lived out the true meaning of servant-leadership. Among his many community affiliations, he has served as a trustee for the Sisters of Charity Foundation as well as chairman of the boards of the Columbia Urban League, S.C. Center for Fathers and Families and the USC Educational Opportunity Center. At Francis Burns United Methodist Church, he served as director of youth ministries, member of the Council on Ministries and Lay Minister.

Wade is also a frequent columnist and commentator and has been described by former South Carolina Lt. Governor Nick Theodore as “a man of vision, a man of faith…a leader who can bring people together for the common good.”

About The Fifth Annual Virginia Black Exp

This is the fifth consecutive year that the Virginia Black Expo—the largest event of its kind directly targeting the African-American community—returns to Hampton Roads. The Power of E—E-Commerce, Energy, Education and the Environment will be the theme of the event which will be held Saturday, August 22, 2009, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

During the event, more than 150 African-American owned businesses and other vendors will showcase their products and services to the public. It is also a unique opportunity for major corporations and government entities to develop viable working relationships with minority-owned businesses while marketing their products and services to a growing consumer market. The event also features seminars, workshops, celebrity guests, youth activities, live entertainment and the return of the Hampton Roads Committee of 200+ Men & Black Pages USA Golf Tournament.

McCants Communications Group, Inc. has successfully hosted minority business expositions in Wilmington, N.C. (twelve years), Columbia, S.C. (twelve years), Charleston, S.C. (ten years), and Jacksonville, FL (seven years), while attracting hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors.

To date, Virginia Black Expo 2009 sponsors include The Port of Virginia, Dominion, Wachovia “A Wells Fargo Company”, ADT, BB&T, HREDA (Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance), New York Life, Optima Health, State Farm and the Departments of Economic Development in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk and Portsmouth. Media partners include CW 27 WGNT-TV; 95.7 R&B; Rejoice 100.9; New Journal & Guide and Richmond Free Press.

The admission cost for the Virginia Black Expo is $12 for individuals ages 13 and up; $6 for children ages   6-12; and children ages 5 and under are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.

For more information on securing an exhibitor booth or being a sponsor of the Fifth Annual Virginia Black Expo, please call McCants Communications Group, Inc. at (757) 399-4153 or visit BlackPagesUSAonline.com.

It is the mission of McCants Communications Group, Inc. to encourage, support and facilitate economic empowerment of the African-American community through the development of a strategic local business network, educational initiatives and communications ventures. In 1998, this dedication to economic empowerment for African Americans led to the creation of a new division—The Black Expo. McCants Communications Group, Inc. recently acquired Jonathan Nazeer’s It’s Just Events (IJE) and will complete further expansion by 2010. McCants Communications Group, Inc., which now includes IJE, Black Pages USA and The Black Expo, is headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina and operates offices throughout the Southeastern United States.