30th Black Women’s Expo Chicago – My Unfiltered Take on the 30th Annual Black Women’s Expo

By LaDonna Raeh

Let me start by saying this: if you weren’t at the Black Women’s Expo this past weekend, I hope you were somewhere reflecting on your life choices—because this one was for the books.

This year marked the 30th anniversary of Merry Green’s brainchild, and yes, it’s Merry with an E because she’s been blessing the culture with joy and excellence for three decades. And baby, this wasn’t just an expo—it was a full-blown celebration of Black womanhood, wealth, wellness, and WALKING that walk (which I literally did—heels and all, until I couldn’t).

Strut, Sis. STRUT.

Somehow, I found myself on the runway during the fashion show, giving them a little leg and a lot of LaDonna. The audience was vibing, the lights were hittin’, and I was feeling every beat of my walk… until I had to tap out and slide into my flats. Because let’s talk about it—why wasn’t the carpet down at McCormick Place?! Do you know how disrespectful that hard floor is to a woman’s knees after 40? My bunions filed a complaint.

But despite that rough landing, the weekend was nothing short of magical.

Connections, Conversations, and a Sprinkle of Stardust

I had the kind of conversations that stick with you long after the glitter fades. One in particular? A beautifully deep exchange with Jessica from Black Girl Vitamins. Y’all, she is out here doing the Lord’s work for our health, and I left our convo feeling seen, heard, and ready to add some new supplements to my Amazon cart.

Ran into the always-on-point Attorney Ted London—because no Black excellence event is complete without a man who brings the law and the wisdom. Gave hugs to some familiar voices like Matt McGill from WVON and Crazy Howard McGee from V103 (he’s still a riot, in case you were wondering).

And I must give a moment of spotlight to Gio Johnson at the Event Noir booth. Not only is he doing big things in the acting world, but he’s also carrying the torch for events that actually make sense for our people. The future is bright, and Gio’s already got his shades on.

Peanut Brittle & Perspective

Now, can we talk about the peanut brittle? Lawd. I haven’t had that sweet, crunchy goodness in years, and let’s just say I had a moment. You ever bite into a memory? That’s what that was. I felt like somebody’s grandma had slipped me a hug through that candy. 10/10.

More than the goodies and glam, the Black Women’s Expo was an embodiment of what it means to show up and show out. The room pulsed with energy from women who were dreaming, building, healing, and yes—serving looks. From health and wellness to entrepreneurship and fashion, this space was curated with intention and impact.

To Merry Green: Sis, You Did That.

To hold a space like this for 30 years is no easy feat. It takes vision, faith, and enough strength to redirect a hurricane. Merry Green deserves every flower we can throw her way—and then some. She didn’t just create an event; she built a legacy that continues to evolve with the times while staying true to the culture.

So, what’s my final word?

Black women, we are the culture. We are the moment. We are the movement. And events like the Black Women’s Expo remind us that we’re not alone in our journey—we’ve got a whole village, a whole vibe, and yes, a whole lotta peanut brittle cheering us on.

Until next year, BWE… I’ll be somewhere icing these feet and practicing my runway walk—just in case they call me again.

LaDonna Raeh is a media personality, marketing maven, and unapologetic lover of all things Black excellence. She tells it like it is, celebrates what’s good, and lives at the intersection of sass and class. Follow her journey at ladonnaraeh.com.