Legendary newsreader and journalist, Sir Trevor McDonald, has been announced as the keynote speaker at this year’s Birmingham Black Business Show, taking place at the NEC on 17 June. After more than three decades on our TV screens as News At Ten and Tonight host, the media stalwart will be sharing insights into an illustrious career that saw him knighted back in 1999.
After the success of the debut event last year, Birmingham Black Business Show returns to the city to celebrate and showcase Black business excellence. The event will bring entrepreneurs, professionals, and allies together for a day of exhibitions, roundtables, investor pitches, workshops, and talks.
Sir Trevor McDonald will take to the stage as keynote speaker, sharing his journey into journalism and highlights from his career. He joins an impressive line-up of speakers, including fellow TV presenter and journalist, Marverine Cole; Legal & Compliance Project Manager at Meta, Ade Ahmadu; and founder of Dope Black Dads, Marvyn Harrison.
Arlyne Chinyanganya, founder of financial wellbeing platform Roots to Froots; multi-award-winning personal brand strategist and coach, Justice Williams MBE; Delight Mapasure, founder of six-figure food brand K’s Wors LTD; Pamela Aculey, founder of Just Like Me Picture Books; and lawyer, activist and founder of African Rainbow Family, Aderonke Apata, will also feature during the day.
Launched by the organisers of the UK’s biggest Black Business Show, which takes place in London every October, Birmingham Black Business Show was a huge hit in its debut year, welcoming over 1,500 attendees and 50 exhibitors to the NEC. This year’s show is looking to double in size.
Throughout the one-day event, visitors will enjoy a host of inspirational talks on the main stage, as well as seminars from business and careers experts, a networking lounge, and advice clinics. There will also be the biggest Black-owned shopping experience outside of London, with over 100 exhibitors from across food and drink, hair and beauty, fashion, home and gift, and so much more.
Speaking about the event’s return Michael Adeniya, COO of the UK Black Business Show, said:
“We are so excited to be hosting Birmingham Black Business Show for the second year running – the response to last year’s event was outstanding and I cannot wait to see that magic yet again. On the back of the 2022 show, we’re going even bigger and better this year, with 100+ exhibitors, more talks and advice clinics, and an impressive line-up of speakers. Securing Sir Trevor McDonald is a real coup!
When we started UK Black Business Show, we had ambitions to take it nationwide and, for us, Birmingham was the obvious first step outside of the capital. Receiving ‘super diverse’ city status back in 2021, this city has such a rich and exciting history but, more importantly, future. We’re hosting Birmingham Black Business Show to not just bring people together, but to help Black businesses and entrepreneurs access funding and grow their enterprises, and provide even better career opportunities for young black talent. I cannot wait for the show!”
HSBC UK has been confirmed as the exclusive headline partner for Birmingham Black Business Show 2023, with other sponsors and partners including Lloyds Bank, Be The Boss, UK Black Tech, African Business Chamber, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, The Black Pounds Project, Black Owned Economy, Black Owned Birmingham, and BV.
