Led by Williams, co-presented with Pasadena Councilmember Tyron Hampton and hosted by Dr. Ray Cunningham, UNCF Los Angeles, BEE brought trusted practitioners, public agencies, nonprofits, employers and education partners together to expand access. The BEE Literacy Corner placed 700 books into home libraries, and 40 new library cards were created onsite courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library, extending access to learning beyond the Expo.
“Two thousand people came through the doors, but our vision is much bigger than one day. We’re building an ecosystem rooted in joy, access, connection and collaboration that keeps people, partners and resources connected throughout the year,” said Williams, founder of BEE and president of BWP Enterprises.
Mental Health, Resilience and Joy Across Generations
In celebration of World Mental Health Day, BEE is highlighting the connections and resources shared at its recent Expo. At BEE, mental health is integral to our mission and the growing ecosystem of resources we’re building for K-12 families, educators and community members. The “Cultivating Joy Through Resilience and Wellness” mental health panel brought together mental health practitioners, advocates and an intergenerational audience for a powerful conversation about emotional well-being, resilience and access to support.
LaKisha L. Johnson, LCSW, LAUSD Director of Mental Health, facilitated the conversation with Dr. Tierra Ellis of Psyches of Color, Dr. Earl Turner of Therapy for Black Kids, Von Simmons, PsyD, of California Black Women’s Health Project, and Donnie Frazier of BEAM. The broader BEE mental health resource ecosystem included LatinX Therapy, Good Seed CDC, Soluna App & BrightLife Kids, and Beautiful Butterfly Community. i Affirm I provided reflection journals, while California Black Women’s Collective provided copies of “My Joy Journey: A Black Girl’s Guide to More Self Love,” giving attendees resources to continue reflection beyond the event.
A BEE sound bath led by Coach LaLA and powered by STARS offered space to pause, recharge and connect. Mental health doesn’t exist in isolation. Neither should the solutions. As a convener, BEE brings trusted practitioners and partners together to expand access to resources and create connections that extend beyond the Expo floor.
Joy is part of wellness, too. The boisterous BEE Joy Zone, powered by California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute and Russell Westbrook’s Why Not? Foundation, welcomed generations to create and play together. Love, Peace & Spades, Coloured Art Studio, face painting and hands-on activities made room for connection, creativity and shared joy.
An Access Point Built Through Partnership
The BEE Expo Hall, powered by Pasadena City College, connected attendees with colleges, employers, public agencies and community organizations. College representation ranged from Texas Southern University to the Los Angeles Community College District. Workforce partners Los Angeles County Economic Empowerment, Yes 2 Jobs and the Los Angeles Urban League connected attendees with employment resources and career opportunities. The Parent Zone, powered by Citizens Business Bank, offered parent engagement, dual enrollment and transfer, scholarship and Merrill Lynch financial wellness sessions to help attendees navigate education and financial pathways.
The NPHC Altadena Pasadena San Gabriel Valley (Dena D9) Council showed up in support of BEE, sharing voter education in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office, with voter registration available onsite. Their shared service and partnership demonstrated BEE’s power of coalition and collective impact in the communities these organizations serve.
With support from Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, 50 youth and family members from Council District 8 traveled from South Los Angeles through a partnership with We Grow LA, Mor Girls With Goals and Education Is Key, helping remove transportation as a barrier. Through Los Angeles County’s Delete The Divide, qualified households that completed digital-skills training accessed laptops at BEE.
Learning, Wellness and Career Connections
Students explored Sphero robots, science projects and interactive STEM activities. The Council of Black Nurses used an anatomical body model to make health education hands-on and introduce potential healthcare careers. Google’s AI literacy workshop drew participants across generations, including a senior who drove from Highland, California, specifically to attend.
Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine conducted “Know Your Numbers” wellness checks and preventive health education. The Educator Lounge, hosted by Black Educator’s Advocate Network and powered by STARS, created space for educator connections and renewal.
The BEE Teen Zone was supported by PCL Construction, Harris & Associates, Athens Services, SoCalGas, IBEW Local 11, Pasadena Community Foundation and California Black Women’s Health Project. A teen-led career panel gave students the microphone to ask professionals about career pathways, workforce opportunities and the experiences that shaped their work.
A Community Reunion and a Year-Round Ecosystem
Throughout BEE, attendees reconnected with friends, colleagues, classmates and neighbors. For people impacted by the Eaton Fire, these moments carried particular meaning as opportunities to restore connections and gather in joy. U.S. Rep. Judy Chu addressed attendees during the main program, joining Williams, Councilmember Hampton, civic leaders and partners. The Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders added to the celebration.
Beyond its signature Expos, BEE is growing a year-round education ecosystem through digital resources, literacy and author activations, technology experiences, community programming and strategic partnerships. Its coalition spans Divine Nine organizations, civic and community groups, education institutions, corporations and health partners, connecting investments with the people they are intended to reach.
Black Education Expo Returns in 2027
BEE returns February 27, 2027, in Los Angeles, and September 25, 2027, at the Pasadena Convention Center. Between Expos, BEE will continue expanding resources and partnerships for K-12 families, educators and community members. Organizations, sponsors and partners are invited to help power BEE’s future, keeping these experiences free and expanding access to resources for K-12 families, educators and community members. To explore partnership opportunities, visit www.blackeducationexpo.com or email info@blackeducationexpo.com.
About the Black Education Expo
The Black Education Expo is a K-12 education and community platform connecting families, educators and community members with resources, relationships and opportunities in literacy, mental health and wellness, college and career readiness, STEM and technology, financial literacy and workforce development. Founded and produced by Victoria Williams, BEE builds an intergenerational ecosystem centered on joy, access, connection and collaboration.
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