Speaker urges growth

From his federal office near The Hill -- Capitol Hill -- U.S. Commerce Department deputy chief of staff Rick Wade often reminisces about how he grew up in Lancaster in a black community that centered around another place called The Hill.

That was the name given the thriving business district in the neighborhood of his youth, where residents went to socialize and shop at mom-and-pop stores. It's where Wade and his brother sold recyclable cans they had collected to merchants and where the local barber always reminded him to stay in school.

These days, few shops remain on The Hill. And Wade said returning to South Carolina brings a reminder of how the modern economy, with fewer factory jobs and its shopping-mall mentality, has affected his hometown.

"It's left the community without jobs and a dismantled social structure," Wade said Thursday at a luncheon that kicked off the 11th annual Charleston Black Expo.

Expo organizer Darren Thomas said the goal of the three-day event is to "create an atmosphere so that relationships can evolve" among community members.

Wade, whose agency aims to promote economic growth, said his office is trying not only to stop the economic bleeding but encourage entrepreneurs to pursue ventures in the energy sector and other profitable industries.

Wade said part of the reason for his visit to Charleston was to encourage the local black community, which is struggling to move forward from a Hill-like economic structure, to pursue those types of opportunities, too. In February, the U.S. unemployment rate for black workers measured 15.8 percent while the overall national rate slipped to 9.7 percent.

"The question we face now -- much like the question Dr. (Martin Luther) King faced -- is where do we go from here? How do we create stable growth opportunities for everyone?" he said.

More barber shops aren't the solution, he added.

Wade said that spreading information about available resources is key to helping advance the black community and other historically disadvantaged socioeconomic groups. After that, the challenge is linking entrepreneurs with financing .

He told the audience at the Gaillard Auditorium in Charleston about the Obama administration's efforts to help stabilize the credit markets and the automotive industry. He also pointed to newly created federal programs for struggling homeowners and small-business owners through entities such as the U.S. Small Business Administration.

"President Obama is unequivocally committed to putting Americans back to work," Wade said.

Want to go?

The 11th annual Charleston Black Expo culminates on Saturday with a mix of performances and seminars at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, 5001 Coliseum Drive. Doors open at 11 a.m.

Seminars, which run throughout the day, are focused on homeownership and finance. Featured guests include David and Tamela Mann from 'Meet the Browns,' gospel artist Bishop Paul Morton and Doc Shaw from 'The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.'

Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for children.

For more details, go to http://www.blackexposouth.com/

Reach Katy Stech at 937-5549 or kstech@postandcourier.com.