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Janiece Montes, CEO of Janiece’s Purse Collection Online Boutique and
pop-up shop is the woman behind the 1st Annual Black Business Expo.
Helping with the Expo is a team of other pop-up shop owners who also work with Janiece to organize business events at various locations to help small businesses like their own. Her team includes Brock Vieney of Brock’s Breads Pop-up Shop, Latoya Jones of Thick ‘Emz plus size online boutique and Pop-up shop, and Tamiera Kitts of Bleu Legacy, cosmetics boutique and Hair stylist.
When the team first began seeking venues to produce the black-owned business pop-up shops they weren’t able to find enough black businesses to participate. However, looking further into the dynamics and finding a diverse network of black-owned businesses in the area, Janiece’s idea of the expo grew.
Montes began plans for the Expo in January to be held during National Black History Month in August. However, finding a venue was difficult due to conflicting views about the name of the event which pushed the event to September 4th. “ I was getting turned down from venues because of the name of the show, I wouldn’t get call backs and I was told to change the name. But I knew that the ‘name’ of the show is going to be what causes it to be a big event. Eventually I came across the Mohegan Sun and they were very welcoming, so that’s now where we’re at.
The Mohegan Sun Pocono, said casino officials, are “thrilled” to host the event in the casino’s convention center. The expo will feature pop-up shops that allow visitors to learn more about services, products and brands of “some of the most impressive Black-owned businesses in and around Northeast Pennsylvania. “We’re thrilled to host what should be a tremendous event and hope to be able to support many more like it in the future,” said Anthony Carlucci, President and general manager.
Since the event gained the spotlight, Montes has had her share of the negative feedback from people who view the name of the event as racist but her response was, “we don’t say that to them when they have the Italian Festival, We don’t say that to them when they’re having their St Patrick’s Day parade, We don’t backlash them for having their culturally specific events.” More importantly, the publicity has garnered a tremendous growing support for this historical event.
The 1st Annual Black Owned Business Expo will be held at the Mohegan Sun Pocono Convention Center in the Keystone Grand Ballroom. September 4th, 2021, 11:am. ADMISSION IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC! You must be 21+ to enter the casino! You must be accompanied by an adult if you are under the age of 18.
Please message Janieces Purses on Facebook or email pursecollectionllc@gmail.com to Register as a vendor, donate, or become a sponsor for this historic event in NEPA!
