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Black Women’s Expo announces 2016 entertainment line-up

The Black Women’s Expo (BWE), one of Chicago’s most anticipated annual experiential events, celebrates its 22nd anniversary in Chicago April 8 – 10 at McCormick Place with outstanding entertainment across the gospel, soul and R&B genres. The Expo has long been known for bringing the best of established and emerging artists to its visitors and this year is no exception.

Gourdon Banks
Gourdon Banks

During this first stop on the Expo’s three city tour Guordan Banks, Tony Terry and Kelly Price will take to the Expo stage on Saturday, April 9 and Gospel standouts Tiff Joy, Deitrick Haddon and Hezekiah Walker will lead the “BWE Praise Break” on Sunday. Under the theme “She Matters, the Black Women’s Expo offers African American women an opportunity to get informed, empowered and enlightened, while discovering the latest trends and amazing new products and services specifically created for them.

Saturday, April 8 line-up: 

Tony Terry
Tony Terry

Philadelphia native Guordan Banks is a songwriter and contemporary R&B balladeer with a smooth, mildly raspy delivery.

Tony Terry began his career as a vocalist for groups such as Sweet Sensation and the Boogie Boys before embarking on a solo career. Tony has released four albums ‘Forever Yours’, ‘Tony Terry’, ‘The Heart of a Man’ and ‘My Best’, as well as placed in the top ten of the Billboard Charts.

Kelly Price
Kelly Price

R&B singer Kelly Price spent her early years in the music business behind the scenes, lending background vocals to records from stars including Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Faith Evans, and Brian McKnight.

Sunday, April 9th performances:  

Tiffany Joy McGhee, who goes by Tiff Joy, is a contemporary gospel artist and worship leader with a boisterous and powerful voice. A native of Chicago, Illinois whose song “Amazing” and the album won Stellar Awards.

Contemporary gospel artist Deitrick Haddon and his Voices of Unity drew upon both secular and spiritual influences to create a sound they dubbed “gospel soul.”

Gospel singer, composer, and choir leader Hezekiah Walker formed his first gospel group, the Love Fellowship Crusade Choir, when he was in his twenties and serving as a Pentecostal minister. Along the way Walker brought a lot of young people to gospel and choir music, and has shown he has no problem using modern vernacular and recording techniques to expand his fan and worship base.

“This year’s entertainment line-up offers something for everyone with nationally recognized headliners including nationally recognized Chicagoans, said Merry Green, founder of the Expo. With our theme of “She Matters” these dynamic artist will be uplifting and impactful.”

The Black Women’s Expo is brought to you by Walgreen’s, State Farm, United Airlines, ABC 7 Chicago, Luster’s You Be-Natural and Pink, Black McDonald’s Operators Association (BMOA), Mariano’s, the Illinois Lottery, University of Chicago Medicine, BET Centric, PNC Bank, T-Mobile, ComEd, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Inspiration 1390, V-103 and WGCI. Media sponsors include The Chicago Defender and the Chicago Crusader Newspapers.

Expo hours are Friday, April 8 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, April 9, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday, April 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $6 for children; weekend passes are available for $45. Tickets for The Black Women’s Expo can be purchased online at www.theblackwomensexpo.com. Half-priced, advanced adult tickets are currently on sale at participating Walgreens stores. For information or tickets for the Phenomenal Woman Awards Reception, call 312-454-6100. Follow The Black Women’s Expo on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram and use the hashtag #SheMatters.

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