MLK Black Roots Bear Fruits Business Expo 2026

Welcome to the MLK Black Roots Bear Fruits Business Expo 2026!

1. Overview

The MLK Black Roots, Bear Fruits Business Expo is a dynamic, community-centered economic empowerment event designed to equip, inspire, and elevate Black youth, entrepreneurs, and families. Taking place one week before the 27th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Awards & Scholarship Celebration, this Expo sets the stage for reflection, innovation, leadership development, and economic growth.

The event will highlight the brilliance, resilience, and creativity of the Black community—past, present, and future—through business showcases, STEAM-centered history exhibits, mentorship opportunities, and interactive demonstrations.

2. Event Details — The 4Ws

WHEN:

Sunday, January 11, 2026
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

WHERE:

700 Apple Creek Blvd, Markham, Ontario

WHAT:

A full-day expo featuring:

• Mobile Black Museum showcasing notable inventors, scientists, Entrepreneurs, and pioneers in STEAM
• Black Business Marketplace exhibiting local entrepreneurs and small business owners
• Entrepreneurship Power Talks by leaders in real estate, Finance, Scientific Research, The Arts, STEM, and the digital economy
• Youth Entrepreneurship Zone – hands-on guidance for youth seeking to create their own opportunities
• Fashion Showcase spotlighting Black designers and cultural expression
• Interactive Workshops on business planning, financial literacy, AI Literacy and side-hustle development

WHY:

To honour Dr. King’s commitment to economic justice and equality by:

• Creating opportunities for youth empowerment and economic self-determination
• Inspiring new entrepreneurs through cultural pride and historical awareness
• Strengthening the pipeline of Black-owned businesses
• Fostering community unity, collaboration, and generational wealth
• Serving as a powerful prelude to the MLK Awards & Scholarship Celebration by reinforcing the theme:
  “From Dreamer to Torchbearer”

3. Purpose

The MLK Black Roots, Bear Fruits Business Expo aims to:

1. Celebrate Black excellence across generations in science, business, arts, and innovation.
2. Educate and inform the community about the historical and present-day contributions of Black trailblazers in STEAM.
3. Activate youth entrepreneurship by showcasing realistic pathways to business ownership, skill-building, and financial independence.
4. Strengthen community economic ecosystems through collaboration and visibility of Black-owned enterprises.
5. Prepare the community for the culminating MLK Awards & Scholarship Celebration by highlighting the connection between Dr. King's economic justice agenda and modern business empowerment.

4. Desired Outcomes

By the end of the Expo, participants, especially youth will:

• Understand the power of entrepreneurship as a tool for liberation, dignity, and opportunity.
• Gain exposure to STEAM history through an immersive mobile museum, reinforcing that innovation is in our collective heritage.
• Be connected to mentors and established business leaders who can guide their next steps.
• Discover practical skills in business startup, financial literacy, real estate, digital marketing, and more.
• Build stronger networks with local entrepreneurs, educators, investors, and community organizations.
• Feel empowered to create opportunities rather than wait for them, reflecting the urgent message that today's youth can be job creators, innovators, and creators of their own futures.
• Recognize the path from roots to fruits; how heritage, culture, and resilience form the foundation for thriving Black futures.

5. How the Event Will Be Executed

• Cultural Activation: The Mobile Black Museum will anchor the event, providing a powerful historic lens that contextualizes present-day success and future possibilities.
• Business Exhibition: Local entrepreneurs will display products, services, and innovations, offering live demonstrations and networking opportunities.
• Expert-Led Workshops: Sessions led by high-performing professionals in STEAM, Real Estate, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Artificial Inteligence, Mentoring, Digital Economy, etc
• Youth Launchpad Workshops: Quick-start sessions teaching young people how to start a business with little capital, including:
• Side hustles that can become full-time careers
• Basic budgeting and pricing, etc
• Fashion Showcase: A platform for local designers showcasing creativity rooted in cultural identity.
• Community Engagement: Opportunities for families, educators, churches, and organizations to interact and collaborate.

6. Significance to the MLK Celebration

As a springboard to the 27th Annual MLK Awards & Scholarship Celebration, the Business Expo:

• Sets the tone for empowerment and excellence ahead of the formal celebration
• Reinforces Dr. King’s message of economic justice and community self-determination
• Expands the impact of the MLK Season beyond one night, creating a week-long movement
• Helps build momentum for scholarship fundraising and youth empowerment initiatives
• Embodies the 2026 theme: “From Dreamer to Torchbearer” by equipping youth to lead courageously in business, innovation, and community-building

Get ready to connect, grow, and celebrate at this awesome in-person event! Dive into a day full of inspiring talks, networking with local entrepreneurs, and discovering exciting new opportunities rooted in community strength. Whether you're a seasoned business pro or just starting out, this expo is your chance to bear fruit from your black roots and build lasting partnerships. Don’t miss out on the fun and inspiration!