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(BALTIMORE – August 5, 2025) – On Saturday, September 6, 2025, BMORENews.com will once again host the BMORE Black Business EXPO, a day dedicated to celebrating Black excellence in business, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. As always, the highlight of the event will be the prestigious Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards, where we recognize the movers and shakers in our community who are making waves in business and beyond.
Since 2011, BMORENews and our partners have honored more than 2,900 individuals across 9 U.S. cities for their contributions to Black entrepreneurship and economic development. This year, we are proud to introduce a powerful new addition to our legacy: the Black Wall Street Youth Awards — a platform created to uplift and spotlight the next generation of Black leaders and innovators.
Celebrating a Dynamic Duo: April Ryan & James Ewing of JARE Candles
This expo’s honorees include a truly special pair — April Ryan, a celebrated journalist with deep roots in national and local media, and her husband, James Ewing, a retired Naval Officer and artisan with a passion for excellence. Together, they’ve poured their love, legacy, and craftsmanship into their family-owned business: JARE Candles.
We are honored to shine a light on this dynamic duo — entrepreneurs who represent the very heart of what the Black Wall Street movement is all about: resilience, creativity, and community impact.
If the name April Ryan rings a bell, it should. She’s not only a household name in journalism, but also a trusted voice who has spent decades informing, advocating, and representing the community with distinction. Her transition from media powerhouse to co-owner of a growing business is both inspiring and symbolic of the entrepreneurial spirit thriving in our communities.
This isn’t the first time we’ve honored a journalist-turned-entrepreneur. Many will remember the recent recognition of Kevin Brown, founder of Nancy by SNAC on North Avenue — another brilliant mind bridging media and business right here in Baltimore.
What Makes JARE Candles Special?
JARE Candles is far more than a candle company. It’s a story of love, healing, and legacy, born from personal experience and a commitment to wellness.
Inspired by April’s late mother, Vivian, who bravely battled leukemia, the couple discovered the importance of creating clean, pure, and healing spaces. They found that soy-based candles were the only kind that could be used during her treatment — and that moment sparked the flame (literally and figuratively) that would become JARE Candles.
Each candle is hand-poured with intention and infused with proprietary essential oil blends that are both lab-tested and exclusive to their brand. These aren’t just candles — they’re immersive experiences. They transform rooms. They evoke emotion. They honor life. And most of all, they carry Vivian’s spirit forward.
JARE Candles is built on three pillars:
Love. Legacy. Purity.
And every product reflects that mission.
Experience our spa-like candle collection
Join Us on Sept. 6th
We invite you to come out to the BMORE Black Business EXPO and witness the Black Wall Street movement in action. Meet the entrepreneurs, connect with professionals, and support local Black-owned businesses doing extraordinary work — like JARE Candles.
Whether you’re lighting a candle or lighting a path for others, this event is for you.
📅 RSVP to http://bmoreblackbusinessexpo.eventbrite.com/
BMORE Black Business EXPO
🗓 Saturday, September 6, 2025
🏆 Featuring the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards + the NEW Black Wall Street Youth Awards
🎤 Honoring: April Ryan & James Ewing – JARE Candles
