Black Business Expo Helps Small Business Owners Explore Detroit Prospects Feb. 28; Tours focus on four districts.

DETROIT -- The Black Business Expo will show current and prospective small business owners retail, restaurant, service and technology opportunities in Detroit and provide information on financial and operational practices from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Detroit Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick is expected to deliver the keynote speech for the event's opening session at the Detroit Entrepreneurship Institute (DEI), 1010 Antietam Ave. (near Gratiot and the Chrysler Service Drive).

Co-sponsored by Bank One, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., the Black Business Expo will take participants from the classroom to the city streets. It features four motor coach tours highlighting small business opportunities in:

--Brush Park

--Downtown

--New Center

--Tech Town technology park

The expo begins with 8 a.m. continental breakfast at DEI followed by Mayor Kilpatrick's appearance at 8:45 a.m. Between 9:30 and 12:15 p.m., conference attendees will take one of the four tours. DEI President and CEO Cathy McClelland will discuss the entrepreneurial training, technical assistance and financial literacy education available through DEI at the 12:30 p.m. luncheon. At 1:30 p.m., conference attendees will depart for the second motor coach tour of their choice.

The $25 conference fee includes breakfast, the bus tours and lunch. Space is limited. Call [phone] to register or for more information.

"We've organized the Black Business Expo to introduce small business people to opportunities in the city's central business district and nearby areas and to give them some practical advice on starting and financing their business," said Nancy Tochman, market manager of small business banking for Bank One. "We've worked hard to select knowledgeable tour leaders and small-business experts who can guide attendees to the resources available to help them build their dreams."

Area business and community leaders guiding the tours include:

--Howard Bell, executive director, Tech Town

--Marilyn T. Nash-Yazbeck, president, and Elaine Hearns, director, Brush Park Development Corp.

--Michael Solaka, president, New Center Council

--Mary Grace Wilbert, principal account manager, Detroit Economic Growth Corp.

"The SBA is proud to have financed a number of small businesses in the areas being visited on these tours, and I hope that conference attendees will take advantage of our guaranteed loans to start even more small businesses in these growing areas," said Richard Temkin, district director for the SBA's Michigan District Office.

The expo will honor Black History Month through a display of photos of historic Detroit black-owned businesses.

"Our fraternity celebrates '100 Years of Brotherhood' this year so it's only fitting that we continue to partner with organizations such as Bank One and the U.S. Small Business Administration to promote financial and economic independence in Detroit," said Sam Bullock, chairperson for the event for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. "We have worked diligently to offer this and previous opportunities for business professionals and entrepreneurs to showcase their collective talents and gifts. We wish to continue to do our part in support of the current economic growth of our great city."

Partners and technical assistance providers include:

--Booker T. Washington Business Association

--Brush Park Development Corp.

--Christian Business Network International

--Detroit Alliance for Fair Banking

--Detroit Entrepreneurship Institute

--Jefferson East Business Association

--Metropolitan Growth and Development Corp.

--Mexicantown Community Development Corp.

--Michigan Economic Development Corp.

--Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Centers

--Michigan Interfaith Trust Fund

--Michigan Statewide Minority Business Development Center

--New Center Council Inc.

--Oakland County Planning and Economic Development Services Division

--Southwest Detroit Business Association

--Tech Town

--Wayne County One Stop Business Resource Center

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., is the nation's oldest traditionally black fraternity. Bank One operates a network of 257 branches and 380 ATMs in Michigan. The SBA's mission is to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by aiding, counseling, assisting and protecting the interests of small business.