ENGLEWOOD — Empowering black and Latino women and teens and building a bridge between the two groups are two of the aims of next week's LEAD Women's Expo.
For the second year in a row, workshops will address the concepts of leadership, entrepreneurism, activism and development, as part of an overall "celebration of minority women," said Lissette Romo, a spokeswoman for Las Caras Lindas, a nonprofit organization sponsoring the event.
The expo, from noon-4 p.m. at the Imagine Englewood If Building, 730 W. 69th St., "highlights the many accomplishments we have made and the many more we have yet to make," Romo said.
"We need more events like this one," said Rosalind Moore, program director for the nonprofit Teamwork Englewood. "Women naturally have a common bond, but to break it down to race and include teenagers is dynamic."
Moore said there are few expos in Englewood geared toward building collaboration between two ethnic groups of women.
Last year's expo attracted 150 people, according to event organizers, who said they expect to double that number this year.
Erika Gilchrist, a Chicago motivational speaker and founder of The Unstoppable Woman, will deliver the keynote address.
"I am elated to be part of such a strong movement to better the lives of the world’s most promising women," Gilchrist said. "This is sure to be a memorable day that will create a benchmark in the breakthrough journey to self-discovery."
Gilchrist said she hopes "to help women overcome their adversity; actively stop the destructive patterns in their lives; and establish and execute a plan that continuously turns barriers and obstacles into opportunities."
Expo admission is $20 for adults, $10 for college students (with valid school ID), $50 for community organizations, and free for high school girls (with valid school ID). Registration is still available online.
