HISTORY

On November 21, 1994, three African Americans ‑ Rudolph R. Treece III, the Honorable Benjamin Logan, Taalib El-Amin ‑ and one European American ‑ Michael Mohan, met to discuss the concept of creating a world‑class cultural event to be known as Michigan Black Expo (MBE). Their on‑going discussions involved other interested individuals in the community and led to the creation of a group dedicated to promoting the concept of MBE. The group's meetings eventually led to the development of a full‑fledged non‑profit organization and society enhancement conglomerate, Michigan Black Expo, Inc. (MBEI).

The twofold mission of the organization is:

1. To establish Metropolitan Grand Rapids as the State of Michigan’s second regional center of African-descended intellect, culture and commerce as well as to improve the quality-of-life of Michigan’s 1.4 million people of African descent by consolidating the Africentric economic power of the State of Michigan with this organizations unifying Africentric events, products and services.
2. To initiate a new era of unity, camaraderie and prosperity for ALL people through the sharing of the most positive and universal aspects of the African-descended Experience.

Approximately 26 individuals have worked for over nine years under the leadership of Rudolph R. Treece III and MBEI’s Board of Directors to create an organization to carry out this vision. Articles of Incorporation were filed with the Michigan Department of Commerce, Corporation & Securities Bureau on May 9, 1995 and would be regarded henceforth as MBEI’s Founders’ Day.

The original driving purpose of the organization was to develop and oversee the creation of a four‑day cultural event, patterned after Indiana Black Expo (IBE) which has been in existence for over 30 years.  Through the implementation of MBE as a world-class event, it was perceived that a momentous rebirth and rejuvenation of the African-descended spirit and the enfranchisement of African-descended peoples into the fabric of the metropolitan community would occur. It was believed further that the inclusion of and promotion of this event among all segments of the state‑wide community would contribute to eradicating ethnic and racial prejudice and bias. Since this embryonic phase in the development of the organization, MBEI has broadened its focus toward becoming a true non-profit conglomerate of Africentric events, products and services that collectively embody the most positive elements of the African-descended Experience and that are designed to engage employment creation, racism abatement and the bringing together of all people.