The 2024 BETX Fan Fest Experience took over the Los Angeles Convention Center last weekend and provided resources, entertainment, and connection to attendees from around the world.
Feature offerings on Friday, June 28, and Saturday, June 29, included a BET Open Casting Call for aspiring actors, panels and interactive activities at SVP of Talent and Casting Robi Reed’s Love Healthy Lounge & Wellness Pavilion, a pop-up roller skating rink, celebrity basketball coached bv Master P with a half time performance from Soulja Boy, Nipsey Hussle’s The Marathon Continues x BET limited edition clothing collection pop-up shop, Shea Moisture and Dove pop-up shop, Tyler Perry’s “Sista Salon” panels, an outdoor flea market to highlight black businesses, and main stage performances from Cardi B, Big Latto, Doechii, and Flo Milli. Suffice to say, this year’s BETX FanFest Experience provided something for each of the thousands of attendees to enjoy.
The plethora of panels allowed for a wide range of topics, from technology to entrepreneurship. On Love Healthy’s panel focusing on the technology of wellness, one panelist emphasized the necessity of Black people in tech, saying, “We have to democratize the technology industry to include us…the future of technology is Black.”
During this panel, online wellness apps such as Apple Health, ORA, and Therabody, were recommended to leave the audience with tools to improve and enhance their own health through technology.
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Another panel at Tyler Perry’s Sistas Salon included comedian, actress, and rapper Pretty Vee, who elaborated on what entrepreneurs really need when starting a business.
“It’s not a lot of money, it’s not a lot of people. You can get by with one great friend who can help and support you. What you need is a lawyer,” insisted Pretty Vee.
The crowd quickly erupted in laughter, only imagining the multiple of unfortunate scenarios that come when your business is not legally protected. Even though this is something many businesspeople know in the back of their minds, it is helpful to hear someone who has created and maintained a successful brand and business validate that notion and bring it to the forefront.
The main event on Saturday was the BET celebrity basketball game with Wallo and Gillie. Players and notable guests included DC Young Fly, Lil Mama, Soulja Boy, G Herbo, Queen Naija, Omarian, and Marsha Ambrosius.
Coached by American rapper Master P and his sons, Hercy and Mercy Miller, the BET Team won the game and the entire crowd ran onto the court to rejoice.
In an exclusive interview with the L.A. Sentinel, Master P remarked about coaching with his sons: “It was amazing, to be able to do something with your kids. When you look at Black fathers and be one who is able to be with your kids, nothing is more precious!”
As for the game, he joked, “We out-thought ‘em! I could coach anywhere!”
Following the basketball game were performances from rappers Baby Tate, Doechii, and Big Latto. Nearly all attendees remaining in the convention center gathered around the stage, anticipating performances from these artists in which the audience wouldn’t necessarily be able to snag front-row seats outside of the BET Experience.
Whether a guest came for hair and skin care knowledge and products from Shea Moisture and Dove, wellness tips from Love Healthy, Black businesses in the outdoor flea market, musical performances, or a fantastic game of basketball, each attendee could relish in the knowing that the team behind the 2024 BETX Fan Fest curated a weekend for them to indulge in their enjoyment.
