Dozens of booths were buzzing with activity as wouldbe patrons lined up to get information, network or make transactions.
    Staffers with BlackXchange.net, a Fresno-based cyberspace enterprise, arrived in a large motor home to offer blackowned businesses free listings on their expanding website designed to help re-circulate blacks’ dollars. Oakland has an estimated 4,000 black-owned businesses, according to the U.S. Commerce Department.
    PG&E, Kaiser, Wells Fargo, Comcast and Macy’s were among the giants represented.
    Comcast touted its 500 job openings, TVOne (a black adult entertainment and lifestyle channel) and phone service. OUR-TV (Comcast channel 78) in Oakland was also represented.
    The Globe Newspapers, an Expo sponsor, also manned a booth with sales reps.
    “You need Black Expo to reach the black community,” said Rodney Best, an insurance agent with New York Life. “Our mission is to reach and educate.”
    “We’re here to get information out about the CARE program,” which offers discounts to low-income households, said Alphonso Phillips of PG&E.
    Volunteers from Harvest Fellowship Church, located at 620 42nd St. in Oakland, came to spread the word about their Church Without Walls program, through which free bags of groceries will be distributed to the needy on August 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    Some without booths also came to circulate and seek new business. Black-owned Home of Chicken and Waffles in Jack London Square distributed redcolored menus.
    “Black Expo is a great way to grow your business,” said Tamara Cooper from her booth. Cooper, a member of Acts Full Gospel Church and a choir singer, is owner of Gifts Stylist (www.giftstylist.com), which makes gift baskets.
    Nearby, Rainbow Italian Ice (“bringing the flavor, not the fat”) was serving free sample scoops to build its growing customer base.
   “I’m here to network and make business contacts,” said Eva Smith, who had a booth to market Hayward-based Eva Smith and Associates, a tax preparation and financial counseling service. “We are here to thank our listeners, and we are giving away CDs,” said Michelle Villoria from the KBLX-FM radio booth where R&B singer Deniece Williams signed autographs after her free concert.
    Gospel music was also featured. Other recording artists represented by Avunda Ambers and ABF Entertainment also provided entertainment.
    From the Oakland Raiders front office was Jhmichea Snyder, a ticket marketing executive. “Our prices are down for this year. The (upper deck) $56 seats are now going for $26, and that’s the lowest in the NFL,” he said. “It’s also good for young blacks to see there are jobs off the playing field.”
    Alameda County also sent representatives to announced jobs in 25 areas, and the need for minority recruits for the sheriff’s department. “It’s difficult to find good applicants of any color,” said Mark Perry, with the sheriff’s department.
    Abi Bulter and Reyna Gillead of the Business Outreach Bureau of the Alameda County Public Works Agency were getting out information about jobs for youth. “We serve 18- to 21- year-olds, the homeless, teen parents and those in need of employment,” said Gillead.