Empowering the community through a legacy of shared vision and collective economic growth since 1990.

Black Expo Community Development Association Inc. (BECD), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, was founded in 1990 to connect minority-owned businesses and consumers with major corporations and expand opportunities for commerce and access to one another.

For 36 years, the organization has worked across numerous market segments while remaining focused on improving the lives and economic circumstances of underserved and disadvantaged individuals and businesses.

For nearly 4 decades we have strived to close the knowledge gap for at-risk communities—equipping them with the education and resources needed to help transform their lives. Through our work, individuals and businesses have been empowered to achieve meaningful financial progress and improve their standard of living and overall quality of life.

As I come in as the new Executive Director and President, I do so with my connection to the work of the organization which goes far beyond professional experience.

I grew up on Chicago's South Side, in the very community I now have the opportunity to serve. I understand the strength, pride, resilience, and extraordinary potential that exist within our neighborhoods. I also understand that access to resources, supportive relationships, and meaningful opportunities can make a lasting difference in someone's life.

I built a career spanning more than three decades in human resources and organizational leadership, serving as a senior executive, advisor, and coach across a range of industries. My professional experience has centered on developing people, strengthening organizations, and helping leaders and teams achieve their potential. Those same principles have guided my community involvement throughout my life.

And now, it has brought me back to where my story began.

Today, as I lead the next chapter of Black Expo Community Development, I bring both the experience of an organizational leader and the heart of someone who has spent a lifetime giving back.

For me, this is more than a leadership opportunity. It is personal. It is a chance to bring together everything I have learned, the relationships I have built, and the commitment to service that has remained constant throughout my life. In many ways, I am not beginning something new. I am continuing something that began a lifetime ago, right here in Chicago.

Laurie Shakur

Incoming
President & Executive Director

About Us

Suzanne Stantley, MBA

Founder

A New Chapter Begins!

As the organization embarks upon a new chapter, effective January 1, 2027, I will step away from my leadership role and entrust this beloved organization to someone who shares my passion for serving others.

As founder, there are many roles that can be assumed and, and I will focus on building strategic partnerships and expanding financial support from corporations, foundations, and individual donors to strengthen our financial sustainability, diversify our funding sources, and broaden our impact in the communities we serve.

Laurie brings her own leadership style of determination, passion, and commitment, and I am confident I am leaving BECD in very capable hands. Much luck and success, Laurie!

The History of Our Impact

A track record of creating transformative, community-based programs.

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Economic
Empowerment

Health Disparities

Economic
Expansion

Gun Violencc

The creation of National Black Expo; hosted 24 Black Expo expositions in Chicago, Nashville, and Birmingham—with Chicago attendance peaking at 200,000 in a single year—and drew sponsorship from more than 50 corporations, including GM, Walgreens, Kraft, Quaker Oats, McDonald’s, and Coca-Cola.

Education and screening for cardiometabolic disease, a little-known disorder that raises the risk of heart attack and stroke by 60%.

Funded by Roche Pharmaceuticals, we spent five years partnering with churches in 15 cities. Established the then annual Cardiometabolic Disease Conference in Chicago.

Through the Construction Development Institute, we trained, developed, coach and mentored diverse and women-owned construction firms—more than 2,000 diverse, women, and veteran owned construction firms to firms in expand their knowledge and access to commercial construction and multi-million dollar construction projects.

Through our Building Better Futures (BBF) program, we support victims and survivors of gun violence as they engage with law enforcement; connect them with resources and wraparound services that support healing and well-being; and provide immediate short-term crisis and emergency financial support to assist in stabilizing their lives during critical moments.

Join and Support Us As We
Build The Future

The future is a wonderful place to operate. Its space is one to be cultivated, nurtured and expanded. We have the experience and leadership to serve as stewards to future generations of individuals who have tremendous needs and who have historically been locked out and left behind. BECD has a history of service and as we move ahead to the next pillars of our focus, gun violence survivors and perpetrators, children and youth, domestic violence, returning citizens, and mental health, we do so with a renewed sense of purpose and a vigor to be part of a much needed change.

But we cannot do it alone. We need the financial support of corporations, foundations, and community partners to invest in our next chapter.

We are seeking financial commitments beginning at $10,000, along with opportunities for larger program sponsorships, multi-year partnerships, and investments in our organizational capacity.

Every contribution invests in people, opportunity, and stronger communities. Together, we can expand access to essential resources, meaningful experiences, and pathways toward brighter futures.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss how your investment can make a measurable difference.