News
November 6, 2020Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area Holds Ujamaa Market
On Sunday, November 1st, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area (BGCCA)
launched a recurring entrepreneur market highlighting and supporting black and brown owned businesses.
The global climate surrounding racial inequality has shifted in the past year. While the existence of racial inequality is not new, the disruption of COVID-19 has enabled such discussions to resurface. As a response, many institutions are working diligently to make this world an equal place for all races and peoples. Achieving such equality requires us as a world to implement multifaceted approaches that address all forms of inequality.
Wealth is among the largest disparity in racial inequality. According to Forbes, black people are more likely than any other race to start a business but also more likely to fail. With the pandemic’s added financial hardships, several sources conclude that Black and Brown owned businesses are being hit the hardest and twice as likely to fail as their counterparts. Black and Brown businesses are trying to create wealth without the resources, experience, support, or overall means to sustain wealth.
The looming threat of failure is not solely a distant problem; it is a threat that impacts our local businesses in the Capital Region.
Recognizing the difficulties and challenges facing local Black and Brown owned businesses, the Boys & Girls Club of the Capital Area decided to take a stand. The Boys & Girls Club of the Capital Area opened their doors, supplied resources, and created a safe environment for local entrepreneurs to grow their businesses. The decision by BGCCA to host the Ujamaa market throughout the year shows their continued tremendous support for our local community’s growth and development. In the wake of COVID-19, where few opportunities are available, the support by BGCCA encourages the development of local businesses, provides entrepreneurs with communal reassurance and belief, and creates an ongoing opportunity for the community to participate in uplifting local black and brown businesses. “Although we primarily focus on providing opportunities for children and teens to flourish, we believe that lifting up the entire community is essential and important. We want to show children that they too can become successful entrepreneurs no matter their background or skin color”, shares Justin Reuter, Chief Executive Officer of BGCCA.
Thanks to the Sugar Hill Solutions and Global Partners’ support, BGCCA was able to open the Ujamaa Market Sunday, November 1st. Mark Bobb-Semple of Global Partners proclaims, “We are honored to partner with BGCCA and Sugar Hill Solutions to make this market happen. The ripple effects for an ongoing event like this are endless.” Many vendors were present selling a vast array of products and services, including custom apparel, face masks, bath and body products, candles, fitness information, and more. Each vendor had a designated vending station appropriately distanced and equipped with sanitizing materials to ensure that the event was safe and fun. There were several volunteers monitoring traffic, contact tracing, and ensuring the overall safety of everyone present. There was music playing as different community members stopped by and interacted with the vendors.
In all, the Ujamaa Market opening was a festive experience where BGCCA and the community joined to support and encourage our local Black and Brown owned businesses.
The Ujamaa Market at 21 Delaware Avenue is open from 2- 6 p.m. on the following dates:
November 1 | November 15 | November 29 | December 6 | December 13 | December 20 |
If you would like to learn more about the Ujamaa Market or how to get involved please contact Ujamaa.CapRegion@gmail.com.
