Who we are?
Bristol African Caribbean Expo (BACE) is an organization dedicated to providing networking opportunities and support services for small to medium-sized businesses, predominantly owned by ethnic minority groups. We also actively collaborate with health organizations to advocate for health equity. BACE delivers training and information sessions to educate people on the importance of genomic and medical research.
Our Story
The Bristol African Caribbean Expo (BACE) was founded on February 25, 2017, by Primrose Granville. Primrose's journey began in Jamaica, where her fascination with expositions was sparked during school field trips, one of which humorously included a goodie bag filled with raw fish, yams, and freshly picked herbs and spices.
After moving to the UK, Primrose's passion for expos continued to grow, but she noticed a glaring lack of representation at these events. Apart from Black Hair shows and expos in London, she rarely saw African Caribbean individuals represented as stall owners or stewards, a realisation that left her disappointed. Primrose saw Asian stewards, African Caribbean cleaners, and Mixed Heritage individuals manning stalls that weren't their own, mostly in the food sector.
Expressing her frustration to a colleague in 2015, she was challenged to change the status quo. Despite initial doubts, Primrose decided to take the bold step of organising her own expo. In 2016, she sent out sponsorship proposals and was overwhelmed by the positive responses she received.
BACE was specifically created for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) run by people of African and Caribbean heritage. The expo aimed to empower these entrepreneurs and encourage hem to view themselves as business owners, not just hustlers. The inaugural event featured 65 booths showcasing a diverse range of sponsors, exhibitors, support organisations, and charities, offering everything from architecture to Zumba.
The expo continued successfully until 2019, when it was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the challenges of the lockdown in 2021, BACE pivoted and began focusing on health equity campaigning, continuing its mission to support and uplift the African Caribbean community in Bristol and beyond.
At BACE, we are committed to fostering a vibrant, inclusive environment where African and Caribbean entrepreneurs can thrive and showcase their talents and businesses. We
are more than an expo; we are a movement dedicated to empowerment, representation, and community upliftment.
The Bristol African Caribbean Expo (BACE) was founded on February 25, 2017, by Primrose Granville. Primrose's journey began in Jamaica, where her fascination with expositions was sparked during school field trips, one of which humorously included a goodie bag filled with raw fish, yams, and freshly picked herbs and spices.
After moving to the UK, Primrose's passion for expos continued to grow, but she noticed a glaring lack of representation at these events. Apart from Black Hair shows and expos in London, she rarely saw African Caribbean individuals represented as stall owners or stewards, a realisation that left her disappointed. Primrose saw Asian stewards, African Caribbean cleaners, and Mixed Heritage individuals manning stalls that weren't their own, mostly in the food sector.
Expressing her frustration to a colleague in 2015, she was challenged to change the status quo. Despite initial doubts, Primrose decided to take the bold step of organising her own expo. In 2016, she sent out sponsorship proposals and was overwhelmed by the positive responses she received.
BACE was specifically created for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) run by people of African and Caribbean heritage. The expo aimed to empower these entrepreneurs and encourage hem to view themselves as business owners, not just hustlers. The inaugural event featured 65 booths showcasing a diverse range of sponsors, exhibitors, support organisations, and charities, offering everything from architecture to Zumba.
The expo continued successfully until 2019, when it was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the challenges of the lockdown in 2021, BACE pivoted and began focusing on health equity campaigning, continuing its mission to support and uplift the African Caribbean community in Bristol and beyond.
At BACE, we are committed to fostering a vibrant, inclusive environment where African and Caribbean entrepreneurs can thrive and showcase their talents and businesses. We are more than an expo; we are a movement dedicated to empowerment, representation and community upliftment.
Our mission
At BACE, we are committed to fostering a vibrant, inclusive environment where African and Caribbean entrepreneurs can thrive and showcase their talents and businesses. We are more than an expo; we are a movement dedicated to empowerment, representation, and community upliftment.