The work of Black artisans is front and centre in a Black-owned marketplace that recently opened in Ottawa’s ByWard Market.
Afrotechture, a physical and online store that features products made by Black creators, opened in December by sisters Resa Solomon-St. Lewis and Tracey Solomon. The marketplace was started in an effort to increase exposure for Black artists and business owners.
On Feb. 27, Afrotechture hosted an event entitled “Meet the Makers,” as part of Black History Month. The virtual event was a chance for creative minds to gather and learn from accomplished Black artisans in Ottawa about their journeys and careers.
Sarah Onyango, public relations coordinator for Black History Ottawa, said she supports Afrotechture’s work in bringing attention to Black artisans in Ottawa through events such as Meet the Makers.
However, she said support for local Black artisans should extend beyond Black History Month.
“We’re artisans today, tomorrow, every day, and all year. We’re not just artisans in February,” Onyango said.
As a Black artisan herself, Solomon-St. Lewis said the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted this lack of year-round exposure.
“There are a few of us that are on some of the broader community platforms, like Etsy, local farmers markets or 613flea in Ottawa but that’s really only a handful,” she said.
Solomon-St. Lewis said many of the smaller craft shows and farmer’s markets usually occur over the holiday season and are a major source of income for artisans with little to no other platform for exposure. Many of these events were cancelled this year due to the pandemic.
She said she decided to create this space to help her fellow Black artisans because she saw a chance to make a difference during these difficult times.
“We saw an opportunity with Ottawa markets … to lease space from them on a short-term basis and we really decided to run with it,” Solomon-St. Lewis said.
“I felt that in this particular instance if we build it, [buyers] will come.”
Since then, Resa said the store has become a source of pride for the Black community.
“The reason why we created it was to give Canadians an opportunity to shop and discover local Black artisans because often, they’re hidden within the ethnic community,” Solomon-St. Lewis said.
“We’re aware of the wonderful gems when everybody else isn’t.”
Afrotechture was created with the artisans in mind. Solomon-St. Lewis said she and her sister strive to make it fair, accessible and affordable to the makers.
Muna Mohammed, founder of Eight50 Coffee, is currently selling her responsibly-sourced coffee products in Afrotechture. Before joining Afrotechture, Mohammed’s coffee was only available online.
“That was really exciting because people came specifically to meet you and know more about your craft and your product,” she said.
Mohammed said she has been happy with the positive conversations she has had with shoppers who have an appetite for diversity.
“Sourcing products directly from those countries makes many of us very unique because we have … heritage with those products,” Mohammed said.
Solomon-St. Lewis said that as someone who runs a business rooted in her heritage, she appreciates Black History Month but does not think Black history should be thought of as a “flavour of the month.”
“I never learned anything about Black history when I was going to school. Whether at the elementary, high school or university level, it was missing,” Solomon-St. Lewis said.
Now, Solomon-St. Lewis said she takes the month of February to reflect upon and share her heritage, while also connecting with her community.
She said she hopes to recruit more Black artisans from across Canada to join the marketplace and also expand the online store to the United States.
“We feel that we’ve proven [the concept of the marketplace] and we feel that it has staying power,” Solomon-St. Lewis said.
Featured image by Duncan Gavin.
