Black entrepreneurs at Carleton partnered with the Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) to host the Black Legacy Market, a showcase of Black excellence and resilience within the student community.
A sense of pride and excitement filled the Nideyinàn Galleria as Black-owned businesses gathered on Feb. 27 to sell their items and celebrate their culture in recognition of Black History Month.
“We wanted to show that CUSA supports all students, specifically Black students during Black History Month,” said Akua Antwi-Adjei, CUSA’s vice-president of student life and one of the event organizers.
“As a Black female, growing up there wasn’t enough representation celebrating the good things we do,” she said. “I feel like when it comes to high school and universities they always go over the same mumbo-jumbo.”
Each vendor brought something different to the market, sharing different parts of themselves and their culture. Jewelry, baked goods, clothing, cosmetic items, paintings and poster prints were among items available for purchase.
“There’s so many Black-owned businesses and artists who are expanding their crafts and doing such great things with their work,” Antwi-Adjei said. “If I could, I would have had 50 vendors.”
For owners of businesses such as Shouts Naturals and Art by Teju, the event was a chance for all students to interact with the Black community.
For Black entrepreneurs including Teju Oladipo, owner of Art by Teju and cognitive science student at Carleton, selling at events organized by Black people tends to garner more support compared to other market experiences.
“And it’s not like it’s intentional in any way. I feel like Black people support Black people in a [different] way, so sometimes when I’m in a space where it’s mostly white people, there’s a little bit less support.”
Oladipo is not the only one who has recognized the struggles Black entrepreneurs face. A 2021 report released by the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce indicates that Black business owners face a number of systemic issues and lack of support.
Oladipo said she finds there is a resilience in the way she creates her art. She said there are aspects that are not normally recognized in other art pieces and draws Black individuals in her art, which demonstrate strength and excellence within Black culture.
“Every one of my pieces features Black people, but I think it’s a good thing because a lot of art doesn’t represent Black people in a positive light,” she said.
Nahomy Milembamane, founder of Shouts Naturals, sold hair products tailored to Black women at the market. She was inspired to create hair products after struggling to find products that work for her own hair.
“I just want to see women love wearing their natural hair,” Milembamane said.
Sarah Rastin, a Carleton student browsing the market, said she appreciated how each of the products on display represented the Black community in different ways.
“Some of the art is rooted with experiences in different countries around the world, and just shows the ways they have been impacted by being who they are,” she said.
Rastin said she enjoyed how each booth allowed market vendors to share their stories and experiences.
“The art’s amazing and they’re uplifting so many important causes as well,” she said. “So it’s truly a win-win all around.”
Many vendors said they were met with incredible amounts of support, with some of them selling out of their products before the market was over.
“Every vendor and artisan had something different to offer and students were curious today,” Milembamane said.
“They were asking questions about how [our business] started and what we had to offer, which gave us the chance to express our love for Black culture.”
Featured Image by Jessica Jagodics/the Charlatan.
