‘It’s almost like a family reunion’

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – With Black History Month in full swing, the Anchorage Museum played host to the 11th annual Alaska Black Business Expo, Summit and Fashion Show, which began Saturday.

About fifty vendors from around Anchorage gathered in the museum’s atrium to sell their goods and mingle with other business owners, while the museum’s auditorium hosted speakers and workshops.

“Black businesses are huge in our history,” event organizer Jasmin Smith said. “Even here in Anchorage we had Eastchester Flats, which is like a local Black Wall Street.

“It’s just kind of reminding everybody Black history isn’t just in the past. It’s in the making.”

“It has grown and changed exponentially,” said real estate agent Leslie Jennings, who has been part of the Expo since the very start. <0:50> “I love the fact that we all get together at one time and kind of play off of each other. To me, it’s almost like a family reunion.”

That sentiment was echoed by Smith, who estimates there to be about 1,500 Black-owned businesses in Alaska.

“We’re here,” she said. “We’re thriving. I think other cultural groups can replicate and do the same thing as well.”

The event is scheduled to finish with a fashion show featuring designers from across Alaska, which starts Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

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