Black Arts & Innovation Expo Hits Toronto’s Wychwood Barns On Feb. 27th

Toronto, ON (Feb. 2, 2016) – The Black Arts and Innovation Expo (BAIE) is an event hosted by Excelovate and First Book Canada that has ushered in a new way of celebrating Black History Month. While traditional Black History Events honour the excellence of our ancestors, which is important, BAIE focuses its attention on the remarkable achievements of both today’s and tomorrow’s legends, and celebrates a new generation of forward-thinking leaders. These new leaders who are making valuable contributions to the worlds of technology, music, literature, visual arts, sports, and entrepreneurship will be featured at the Expo, while attendees take in musical performances, panel discussions and workshops, art exhibits, a technology and career fair and culinary delights.

Through collaboration from industry technology giants including Facebook, IBM, and Dell, among others, BAIE will showcase the diverse experiences within Toronto’s black community.

Program highlights include:

Musical performances by rising stars, rapper John River (pictured) and future soul vocalist Allie; visual arts displays by renowned Lego sculptor Ekow Nimako, the Afrofuturist art of Komi Olaf, and multi-media and textile artist Apanaki Temitayo; best-selling American urban fiction author K’wan (Animal), one-on-one Q & A’s with world renowned super model Stacey Mckenzie and multiple Juno Award winner Kardinal Offishall, and a special exhibit and presentation by the International African Inventors Museum.
BAIE will also be launching a Lion’s Lair competition (think Dragon’s Den) that selects one GTA entrepreneur to win $5000, and will be giving away 10 financial scholarships to African-Canadian students with a post-secondary educational interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). At this year’s Expo youth will also be able to connect with leaders from top technology companies at the technology Career Fair, while snacking on Afro-Caribbean food offerings served up by the Art of Catering. Families attending will also be able to indulge their kids in the children’s Play Zone.
Excelovate is a full service publishing company and human services organization that celebrates diversity through the publication of books & mobile applications since October 2008. First Book provides new books and educational resources at deeply reduced prices — and for free — to schools and programs serving children in need throughout the United States and Canada.

The 2016 Black Arts and Innovation Expo takes place on Saturday February 27th 2016 from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Artscape Wychwood Barns (601 Christie Street, Toronto). Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students. For ticket info go to: www.blackexpo.ca
For media inquiries, please contact:

Dalton Higgins

daltonhiggins@gmail.com

647 880 2355