Thirty years is a long time to do anything—a long time to live, to learn, and certainly to lead a passion-fueled life. For Merry Green, co-founder of the Black Women's Expo (BWe NEXT), those thirty years have been dedicated to building a space where Black women gather to learn, grow, shop, connect, and celebrate each other. From her early dreams of Broadway stardom to her commanding presence as a media executive, Merry Green has become a legend in her own right.
Before the Stage Was a Platform
Before she was the founder of one of the country's longest-running cultural expos, Merry was a theater kid. She starred as Dorothy in The Wiz at Chicago's Theater on the Lake after a standout performance in Rochester, New York, her hometown. Her rendition of "Home," a deeply emotional song, left audiences stunned. But the bright lights of Broadway eventually gave way to the bright lights of television production and the demanding world of radio marketing.
She carried with her the rhythm of performance and the precision of live production—skills that would eventually shape the Expo's signature flair. Her background wasn't just theater; it was the art of engagement, of holding space, and of storytelling. That theater spirit never left her; it simply evolved into something grander.
The Birth of an Expo
In the early 1990s, Merry was working as the promotions and marketing director for Chicago's V103 radio station. Always pushing boundaries, she wasn't satisfied with just running the station's events—she wanted to do something bigger. She had already created the wildly successful World's Largest Step Competition. But it was an idea to center Black women—the station's primary demographic—that became the seed for the Black Women's Expo.
"We needed to talk about issues," Green said in a recent interview. "Things going on in the community, what was happening to our young people, what was happening to Black women, business ownership, entrepreneurship. But we weren't doing that kind of public affairs programming in radio anymore. People were crying out for it."
That disconnect sparked the idea. And like so many of Green's bold moves, it wasn't just about filling a programming gap. It was about building a platform for empowerment. "We had the advertiser. We had the music. We had the audience. Why not?" she said. "I called it 'An Expo for Today's Black Woman,' and we went for it."
She put the idea on paper and pitched it with the full force of her belief in its necessity. "We needed this space. And we didn't need permission to create it."
A Core Memory for Many
In 1994, that dream became real. The first expo debuted at McCormick Place in Chicago. It was originally named "An Expo for Today's Black Woman," and for many—including myself—it was more than just an event. I remember going with my mother that year. She was so excited to walk into McCormick Place and be in a room full of Black women—strong, powerful, radiant. It's a core memory I'll never forget. That moment—our moment—cemented the Expo as something sacred.
It was the era of freeze curls and pixie cuts, when wrap sets and tailored suits exemplified the style of the professional Black woman. From the moment they cut the ribbon, it was clear something magical had been born. The lobby was packed before the doors opened at 10 a.m., full of women hungry for what this new expo promised: affirmation, information, and inspiration.
Green remembers that first morning clearly. "When I walked into that lobby and saw the number of women who had shown up, waiting, excited—that moment overwhelmed me," she said. "And that's when I knew: this wasn't just a one-time thing. We had to keep going."
That first event attracted more than 200 vendors and thousands of attendees over a single weekend. For the women walking those halls, it wasn't just about buying products—it was about being seen.
Fighting for Her Vision
That first expo was both a culmination and a beginning. Green relied on her background in TV and events, her access to V103's advertisers and audience, and her own creative instincts to build a weekend that blended community, commerce, and culture. And when the corporate ownership of V103 changed hands repeatedly over the years, she had to fight to maintain ownership of her creation.
That fight is not just a footnote in the Expo's history; it is part of its DNA. Green faced real opposition. "Several of them tried to take it away from me," she recalled. "I remember one general manager saying, 'Take her name off everything.' And I was like, what? But we fought it out. And by that afternoon, my name was back on everything."
That she was able to walk away from a massive media conglomerate with full control over the intellectual property and brand of BWe is nothing short of remarkable. In a corporate environment where creative contributions are often absorbed and erased, Green's ability to retain what she built is a testament to her foresight, her fire, and her unwillingness to be erased.
Eventually, she left V103 to run the Expo full-time. One general manager told her plainly: "This is your show. It's not ours."
And it has been her show ever since—every banner, every panel, every program rooted in the original mission of ownership, empowerment, and authenticity.
Chicago, the Heart of BWe
Since then, the Black Women's Expo has expanded into a national brand, with stops in Atlanta, Detroit, and Dallas. But Chicago remains its heart. As Green puts it, "Chicago is a Black city… perfect to do something that was really focused on that community." And Chicago is a city that works. That hustles. The kind of city where the ethos of the Expo fits perfectly: unapologetically Black, brilliant, and built on collective effort.
And for generations of Black women in this city, the Expo became an annual ritual. You planned your outfit weeks in advance. You cleared your calendar. It wasn't just an event—it was a pilgrimage. You didn't want to miss the panels, or the shopping, or the energy of walking into a space created just for you.
A Who's-Who of Excellence
Over the years, the Expo has hosted a who's-who of Black excellence. Green's top five favorite guests speak for themselves: Tina Marie, whose birthday was celebrated with cake on stage. Winnie Mandela, whose presence felt like a direct link to global liberation movements. Cicely Tyson, who flew in to deliver a speech and, when nearly missed at the airport, refused to move until properly greeted.
"She almost got back on the plane," Green laughed. "And when she finally got on stage that night, she started her speech with 'TIME.' It was dramatic. She let us have it."
Then there was Maya Angelou. When illness kept her from attending at the last minute, Green scrambled. "They tried to give me other names," she said. "And I told them, 'None of these people are Maya Angelou.' So they asked, 'Who could possibly replace her?' And I said: Oprah."
And Oprah came. Quietly. Without press. She walked in through the kitchen of the Hyatt Grand Ballroom and delivered Maya's poetry to a sold-out crowd of 1,500 women who had no idea what was coming. "The whole place went up," Green said. "They started waving their napkins in the air, crying, singing. Oprah stayed on stage for an hour. It was unforgettable."
Health, Resilience, and Purpose
The Expo isn't just a highlight reel of iconic appearances. It's a living, breathing forum. A place where Black women aren't just the target audience—they're the foundation. "Black women drive spending in the household," Green said. "We knew that. Companies know that. And the Expo has always been a way to connect them with the community directly."
That includes hospitals, universities, and health organizations. Since COVID, the Expo has expanded its health offerings dramatically.
"We have screenings, panels, specialists, even pharmaceutical companies talking about genes that specifically affect us," Green explained. "At first, we thought people would say, 'This is a health expo now.' But it's not. It's exactly what we need."
And she's right. Black women have long been underserved by the healthcare system. BWe is one of the few platforms that consistently invites women to get real-time screenings, access specialists, and hear health education spoken in language that honors their lived experiences.
DEI in Decline—But BWe Stands Tall
The evolving landscape of diversity and inclusion funding has made things more difficult. After the 2024 and 2025 political shifts, some major sponsors pulled out. One company even told Green the Expo was "not inclusive enough." Meaning that the celebration of Black women was limiting and boxed out other women in the city. There were even loose suggestions about changing the name.
Her response? "We're not changing our name. We won't. This is the Black Women's Expo. This is our 30th year."
Even as doors closed, others opened. Healthcare partners stepped in. Community churches stepped up. Green leaned into the resilience that has always defined her.
"I don't take no for an answer," she said. "Or if I do, it doesn't stop me. My mother used to say, 'One monkey don't stop no show.' That's the truth. We keep going."
Bagels, Bosses, and Building Forward
One of the newest additions to the Expo lineup is the Bagels and Bosses brunch, focused on entrepreneurship. It celebrates women turning beauty and culture into business. "We jump into the beauty space fast," Green noted. "We've got the product, we've got the story, but sometimes we lack the infrastructure. This brunch is about getting women the tools they need to scale."
In that room, business cards are exchanged like currency. Ideas are planted. Deals are signed on napkins. It's all part of the evolution—an Expo that continues to mirror the ambition and complexity of the women it serves.
Eyes on the Future
She stays behind the scenes mostly, but this year, she made it clear: she wants to be out on the floor. "People always stop me," she said. "But I told my team, I want to see everything. I want to see what we've built."
Her advice to young Black women building something new? "Ask for help," she said. "I had to learn that. We don't collaborate enough. We get scared someone will steal our idea. But we need to let go of that. Collaboration is survival."
A Movement, Not a Moment
Event Details
The 30th Anniversary Black Women's Expo (BWe NEXT) will take place in Chicago at McCormick Place from August 1–3, 2025. Doors open Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m., with programming scheduled throughout the day across multiple stages. This year's theme is "Empowered to Evolve," reflecting both the event's longevity and its continued focus on health, beauty, wealth, and advocacy.
Attendees can expect curated pavilions and experiences, along with headline appearances from Marvin Sapp, Raheem DeVaughn, and Tamron Hall. The weekend's programming is designed to uplift, inspire, and energize.
Wellness Way: Free health screenings, panels with physicians, and information on health equity.
Beauty Bazaar: A showcase of indie beauty and skincare brands, live demos, and cultural celebration.
She Matters Stage: Conversations about mental health, motherhood, activism, and entrepreneurship.
Legacy Lounge: Honoring trailblazers in media, education, and public service.
Teen Summit: A Friday-only youth empowerment experience focused on the next generation.
Bagels & Bosses Brunch: An exclusive ticketed brunch event for business owners and creatives to network and gain insight on scaling and sustainability.
Tickets are on sale now, including general admission, VIP access, and add-ons for special events. For details, visit bwenext.com or ticketfalcon.com. Follow @bwenext on Instagram for lineup announcements, giveaways, and real-time updates.
The Black Women's Expo is a cultural anchor in Chicago. It has grown with the community, shaped generations, and launched dreams. Merry Green didn't just produce an event. She created a home. A refuge. A runway. A rally.
And it's still here. Still thriving. Still evolving.
"I didn't choose this," she said. "It chose me."
And we are better for it.