30 Black-owned businesses from across Michigan, one buzzing venue in East Lansing, and a whole lot of entrepreneurial energy filling the room. That’s exactly what went down at MSU Federal Credit Union’s annual Black Business Expo, held at their Headquarters 2 building.
Now in its third year, this isn’t your typical corporate networking event. The expo turned the space into a genuine marketplace where handcrafted goods sat alongside innovative services, and local ventures you’ve never heard of (but absolutely should) got their moment in the spotlight.
How It All Started
The event has its roots in something pretty special: CU BOLD, MSUFCU’s employee affinity group. Short for Black Originators, Leaders, and Doers—yes, that’s a name that actually means something—the group focuses on professional development, cultural awareness, and making sure the community feels genuinely inclusive, not just checkbox inclusive.
What started as an internal initiative has grown into a full-fledged platform for amplifying diverse voices and pushing economic equity forward in real, tangible ways.
More Than Just a Shopping Event
“The Black Business Expo reflects our commitment to strengthening the communities we serve by creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs to connect, grow, and thrive,” explained Arianna Ridderbusch, MSUFCU’s Vice President of Community Impact. “Supporting economic empowerment and financial well-being is central to our mission, and this event is one of the many ways we bring that commitment to life.”
But here’s what made it work: the expo wasn’t just about transactions. Sure, the 117 attendees did some shopping, but they also got something you can’t put a price tag on—direct access to the founders themselves. Real conversations. Real stories about the late nights, the pivots, the wins that make running a small business equal parts terrifying and thrilling.
Building Bridges Beyond Metro Detroit
Take Perisean Baltimore from Blissful Life Candle Company. After a successful first appearance last year, they came back for round two—and with good reason.
“This has been a wonderful event,” Baltimore shared. “After making so many meaningful connections last year, we were excited to return for a second year. The MSUFCU Black Business Expo helps us connect with new communities like Lansing and expand beyond our Rochester-area roots.”
That’s the real magic here. It’s not just about one day of sales. It’s about building bridges between entrepreneurs and communities that might not otherwise cross paths, creating relationships that extend way beyond the expo floor.
The turnout proved that Michigan residents are ready and willing to show up for local entrepreneurs and diverse businesses. Sometimes the best investment you can make is just showing up—and 117 people got that memo.