March 11th 2024.
Earlier this year, on March 9th, something truly special happened in Richmond, Virginia. For The Culture, a collective of Black employees at Arts & Letters Creative Co, a creative advertising agency, hosted the very first BLK Market. The purpose? To celebrate and showcase the diversity of Black-owned businesses in the area.
Alana Robinson, For The Culture's marketing and design representative, shared with ABC 8 the inspiration behind the event. "We wanted to shine a light on the amazing work being done by Black individuals in the collecting and vintage industries, as well as other unique and often overlooked areas. Our goal was to bring them all together and give them a platform to succeed."
According to Lauren Hudson, the group's public relations representative, the planning and execution of the BLK Market took a whopping six months. "We began brainstorming in late summer, trying to come up with ways to support and enrich the Black community in Richmond. That's when we landed on the idea for BLK Market. From there, we reached out to vendors and put all the pieces together. And here we are today."
For Robinson and Hudson, the event was a labor of love. It was a way to shine a spotlight on the part of the Richmond community that they hold dear to their hearts. And the BLK Market did not disappoint. With a variety of items available for purchase, including books, pottery, paintings, and tea, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Robinson also mentioned to ABC 8 that while there are other events like vendor fairs and markets, BLK Market stands out for its commitment to showcasing Black businesses year-round, not just during Black History Month in February.
Hudson added, "Our hope is that BLK Market continues to grow and thrive. We want to learn from this first year and make it even better in the future. We want to spread the word and involve even more businesses and members of the community." With this kind of passion and dedication, it's no wonder why the BLK Market was a huge success.
In related news, after a five-year hiatus, the Black Girls Rock! Awards are returning to television. This award show celebrates the achievements and contributions of Black women and girls in various fields. It's another fantastic example of uplifting and celebrating the Black community, and we can't wait to see it back on our screens.
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