We recently connected with Kenneth Gilliard and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kenneth thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about serving the underserved.

Yes, when it comes to my story it was sparked by a conversation between some of Wilmington’s Top Black Planners, What would it look like to be in a place that showcased our talents? We discussed the idea of creating a space for us, by us. I picked up the charge, planned, curated, and executed the vision. The Coastal Wedding Expo is a one-stop-shop wedding experience that highlights and promotes ethnically minority-owned businesses in an industry where we are often priced out and overlooked. Anxious and nervous would be some emotions that were felt as there are many moving pieces in executing an event of this caliber. To host in the historic district of Seabreeze which was a prominent black-owned coastal resort during the Jim Crow era decimated by hurricanes. Creating a staple series of events during the last weekend of Black History Month invoking the spirit of Kwanza through unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Held at a black-owned venue that doubles as an intimate waterfront property and BNB. To illuminate other vendors from wedding planners, photographers/videographers, real estate agents, DJs, barbers, bartenders, cake artists, travel agents, and confectionary teats has now expanded into what is now titled, “A Weekend of Love.” We owe a Special shoutout to two of this year’s sponsors Perfect Touch Rental and MG Visual Studios.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As a curator of special moments and experiences for events, I have a passion for creative design and event planning. I spend much of my time mentoring local youth through athletic endeavors and entrepreneurship. With a zeal for serving, I serve in several philanthropic capacities throughout southeast North Carolina, raising money for collegiate scholarships, developing young professionals, and supporting local college students.

As an event planner, I seek to provide a necessary design and logistic eye for young professionals. I am budget-conscious, creative, responsive, and thoughtful when working with couples getting married, professionals planning parties, and civic groups planning philanthropic galas. I love creativity and have become a talented florist in the process of event management. I describe my personal design aesthetic as luxe while nodding both at traditional and modern sensibilities.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

My journey started as a hobby that helped to build my repertoire into Gilliard and Co. LLC with roots in photography, and planning high school and college events. Being deeply involved in student organizations and leadership throughout my career aided in molding my creativity and keen eye for planning, organizing, and executing. At first, I started with photography taking pictures of events. I transitioned into the event planning world when two friends of mine were engaged and started their wedding planning journey. It began with just helping the groom and making sure he and his groomsmen were styled and on top of everything. From there I kept checking in with the couple, making myself available, and assisting them through this journey. One thing led to another and we curated a three-day beach wedding extravaganza at a beachfront property that housed the entire wedding party which included the reception dinner, wedding and reception, and family & friends day.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

What has worked well in terms of growing my clientele is persistence and a creative logistic eye for detail. My style and aesthetic have been a mix of modern, vintage, and classic with a love for live floral work and special touches. With this, my focus has been on young professionals who want to have a unique experience. The name Gilliard and Co. evokes quality across the southeastern region of North Carolina. Vendors and customers know that Gilliard and Co. events will be professionally staffed, uniquely crafted/curated, precisely what the client asked for, and more.

Being only one of two black male-owned event planning companies in the area, our companies have partnered and collaborated with one another in addition to others not as competition but as a support system for one another to collaborate and sharpen our crafts. This lends to also having a great village and support system. The “Co.” in Gilliard and Co. is truly based on the relationships that I’ve built in various aspects of my life both personal and professional. People who have come together as a network to either help see the vision come through or provide support wherever they can contribute. From former students, colleagues in fraternity and sorority life, and of course family and friends. It is a summation indicated in the company name where not only clients, staff, and other vendors share in the village experience and vision.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.gilliardandco.com www.coastalweddingexpo.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gilliardandco/ https://www.instagram.com/coastalweddingexpo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gilliard.Kenny/ https://www.facebook.com/CoastalWeddingExpo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-gilliard/