This year the 19th annual Missouri Black Expo featured a Literary Corner with some major star power.
Legendary actor Pam Grier stayed for the weekend at America’s Center in Downtown St. Louis, promoting her memoir Foxy: My Life in Three Acts and signing autographs – while stressing that reading is fundamental.
“If you can not read, you can not make important decisions. We must read more,” Grier said.
Grier explained she wrote the book because she felt that it was time to let her fans know who she really is.
“I do this for my fans,” Grier said.
Legendary actor Louis Gossett Jr. read from his memoir An Actor and a Gentleman. Gossett, who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, also led the 8th annual Prostate Cancer Survivors and Awareness Walk before the Expo on Saturday.
Gossett focused on how individuals should take the time to take care of themselves and live in a healthier manner.
“It’s important for everyone to get checked up,” Gossett said.
“It’s more than just prostate cancer. It’s been broken, how we used to take care of ourselves and each other. We need to go back to the basics.”
Other authors at the Expo this year: Janet Hubert, who played the mother Vivian on the TV show Fresh Prince of Bel-Air; actor-director Melvin Van Peebles; and St. Louis’ own Lyah Beth LeFlore and Mike Roberts Sr.
There was much more entertainment and opportunities for community engagement at the Expo. Old-school performers Doug E. Fresh and Whodini, along with new artist GS Boyz, performed on the main stage and kept the audience dancing.
Free medical screenings and consultations were available. Free back-to-school supplies were provided to children. Boxing tournaments were held for local boxers in different weight classes with open rounds and semi-finals Saturday and the championship fights on Sunday.
Reality TV star Fonzworth Bentley (a former personal assistant to P. Diddy) and CNN correspondent and journalist Roland Martin came to talk about stopping the violence in the community.
“A huge part of stopping the violence starts at home. We have to do our part in our homes first,” Martin said.
Lynette Maxwell attended the stop the violence session and realized how just a few individuals could make a difference in stopping the violence.
“It can start with a small group of people and we could make a huge difference over time,” Maxwell said.
On Sunday, the Expo ended with Minister Charles M. Roach of Trinity Mount Carmel Church hosting a church service for individuals at the Expo, followed by a Praise Dance Festival and ending with the Gospel Explosion and gospel artist James Fortune.
