Wake Forest HRC Hosts Free Minority and Women-Owned Business Expo Feb. 28

The Wake Forest Human Relations Council (HRC) hosted the 2026 Minority & Women-Owned Business Expo Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St., attracting a slate of more than 35 local minority- and women-owned businesses that were scheduled to participate in the 1–4 p.m. event. The town’s event page noted the expo was free and open to everyone.

The HRC framed the expo as a push to expand market recognition and business opportunities in Wake Forest. The town website said, "Area minority and women-owned businesses are invited to participate in the expo designed to increase recognition and opportunities for minority and women business owners in our community." The event page also stated, "The 2026 Minority & Women-Owned Business Expo will bring enterprising professionals together from the Wake Forest community to network and showcase their products and services."

Organizers cited broader economic context for the push. The town website quoted a 2025 Census Bureau finding: "According to a 2025 Census Bureau report, of all US businesses, three percent are Black-owned, eight percent are Hispanic-owned, and 40 percent are women-owned." That stat underpinned the expo’s emphasis on supplier diversity and business connections.

Features at the Renaissance Centre included vendor tables and food service. The town materials confirmed, "A variety of food trucks will be onsite," and the town’s Facebook promotion said, "More than 35 local businesses are scheduled to participate, several of which will be selling various goods and services." The Facebook post also ran a promotional header, "Don't miss the 2026 Minority & Women-Owned Business Expo tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 28, from 1-4 p.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 S. Brooks St.," and introduced "Here are the top six reasons to join us!" listing reasons such as "Discover Innovative Products & Services," "Support Economic Equity & Inclusion," "Build High-Value Business Connections," "Find New Supplier Diversity Partners," "Gain Inspiration from Successful Entrepreneurs," and "Increase Cultural Awareness & Community Connection."

The town’s online event page included a "2026 Participating Businesses" section and thanked "the following businesses scheduled to participate in the 2026 Minority & Women-Owned Business Expo," although the specific vendor names were not included in the excerpts released by the town. Residents seeking additional information can contact the Town of Wake Forest municipal offices at 301 S. Brooks St. or by phone at (919) 435-9400, where the town maintains event listings and municipal contacts.

By bringing local minority- and women-owned vendors together under one roof, the HRC event aimed to create immediate sales opportunities and longer-term supplier relationships within Wake County’s marketplace, reflecting the town’s stated goal to increase recognition and opportunity for historically underrepresented business owners.