Business Expo — Save the Date
🗓️ DATE: Saturday, June 13, 2026 • Hosted by the Black Chamber Fort Wayne
The Business Expo is a single-day gathering built around two ideas.
The morning belongs to the community. Six Fort Wayne organizations — each with a long record of work in this city — will share their missions, programs, and the ways residents can engage with them. These are the institutions that shape young people, preserve family histories, advocate for workers, and create space for the harder conversations. Many of the entrepreneurs in our membership grew up inside their programs.
The afternoon belongs to the businesses. Under the banner of Show Me the Money, the Chamber will host breakout sessions designed for owners and emerging leaders working through the practical questions of growth.
The Expo also lands in a meaningful week. Six days later, on June 19th, families across the country will mark Juneteenth. That same day, the Obama Presidential Center opens to the public on Chicago’s South Side. The Chamber will pause during the Expo to recognize that opening — a moment that connects to the work happening here.
Event Details
📋 WHAT: Business Expo — Morning Showcase & Show Me the Money Breakouts
🗓️ DATE: Saturday, June 13, 2026
🕗 TIME: [Schedule to be announced]
📍 LOCATION: [Venue to be announced], Fort Wayne, IN
💵 COST: [Pricing to be announced]
🎟️ REGISTRATION: Save the date. [Open registration date to be announced]
Morning Showcase
Six organizations will be featured. Each has a long history of service in Fort Wayne. Brief overviews are below; full descriptions will be provided directly by each partner ahead of the event.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne
Founded in 1989, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Wayne serves children ages 6–18 across four club locations in high-need areas of the city. Programs focus on academic success, character development, and healthy lifestyles. The organization was the first in the country to launch as a combined Boys & Girls Club rather than a Boys-only Club.
Our Neutral Voices
Founded by Reverend Christopher Scott and Pastor William “Will” Curry, Our Neutral Voices is a Fort Wayne nonprofit organized around five pillars: spiritual, mental health, education and arts, financial, and sports. The organization works with youth, young adults, and adults — pairing community programs with podcasts and media that create space for conversation across each pillar.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Club, Inc.
Founded in 1985 by the late Glyn R. Gleason and now in its 40th year, the MLK Club promotes Dr. King’s legacy through community activism, youth engagement, and multicultural education. Its annual Dr. King Unity Day is one of the longest-running observances of its kind in the country.
The Dream Center FW
Established in March 2023 by John Dortch, The Dream Center is a community development corporation in southeast Fort Wayne. Its work is built on three pillars — life skills, health and wellness, and entrepreneurship — and includes mentorship for small business owners, the Building Kings program for young men, and the PowerHER program for women. The Center also offers coworking space and meeting rooms named in honor of Black community leaders.
African American Genealogical Society of Fort Wayne (AAGSFW)
Based out of the Allen County Public Library — home to the second-largest genealogy collection in the United States — AAGSFW supports African American family and historical research, preserves records, and helps people in northeast Indiana trace their lineages. The Society also hosts workshops and an annual summit on African American genealogical research.
A. Philip Randolph Institute, Fort Wayne Chapter
The Fort Wayne Chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) advancing the alliance between the civil rights and labor movements. The chapter’s annual scholarship program — named in honor of Randolph and the late Fort Wayne City Councilman Charles Redd — supports Northeast Indiana high school graduates pursuing higher education.
Afternoon Session
Show Me The Money
The afternoon will feature breakout sessions for entrepreneurs and business owners. Topics, presenters, and times will be announced as the schedule is confirmed.
Recognizing the Obama Presidential Center
On June 18, 2026, the Obama Presidential Center will hold its grand opening ceremony in Chicago. On June 19th — Juneteenth — the Center opens to the public.
The Chamber will pause during the Expo to recognize the opening. The Center’s stated mission — to inspire, empower, and connect people to bring change home — runs parallel to the work of this Chamber and the showcase partners gathered that morning.
🎟️ Registration
Registration will open at myfwbcc.org in the weeks ahead. Pricing tiers, ticket options, and the full event schedule will be announced at that time.
About the Organizer
Black Chamber Fort Wayne
The Black Chamber Fort Wayne, led by Board President Ramadan Abdul-Azeez, is dedicated to fostering the growth and success of Black-owned businesses in the Fort Wayne community. The Chamber helps entrepreneurs and professionals build valuable connections and access essential resources through networking events, advocacy, and educational opportunities. The Chamber is committed to creating a thriving environment for Black business leaders to flourish and contribute to the region’s economic vitality.
The Fort Wayne Black Chamber of Commerce
© Black Chamber Fort Wayne, 2026. All rights reserved
