Ottawa market puts Black-owned businesses on display for Black History Month

A market in Hintonburg celebrated the work of black creatives in Ottawa. CTV’s Camille Wilson has the story.

An Ottawa market is celebrating culture and shining a spotlight on black-owned businesses on Saturday.

The Bring it Black – Black future market, hosted by Next Door Ottawa and Tribe.co at the Next Door Market & Event Space in Hintonburg, is marking Black History Month and putting a spotlight on the vibrant community of Black business owners, creatives and entrepreneurs.

“We really want to focus on Black futures, and this is about empowerment and opportunity and creating a more just future,” says Aida Hodkinson, CEO of Next Door Ottawa. “I think that spaces like ours, these third spaces like Next Door Market and Event Space should make space and have space for all types of communities.”

Hodkinson says it’s all about creating a space for black folks to come together and have a joyful time.

“I saw the promotion I thought I need to be here and support it. The jeans I’m wearing right now, I actually bought from one of the vendors,” says Dawn Xavier-Franklin, shopper.

“It’s important to support Black businesses because first and foremost, we’re all we’ve got. If we don’t support one another, then who else is going to support us?” says Agnes Appiah, shopper.

Lyndsay Bolden is a teacher, director and the founder of L. E. BOLDEN studio. She teaches one-on-one music, piano and voice lessons to students of all ages, from four years old to adults. She also runs a choir that sings music by black composers.

“I’m a big believer in if there’s something you want that doesn’t exist, you have to make it yourself, so I started the choir because I wanted to sing that sort of music and I wanted to introduce this sort of music to Ottawa,” says Bolden.

Visitors had the chance to experience food, unique local vendors, art and a Paint Party Pop-Up station to unleash where they can unleash their creativity.

The event also featured a live DJ with entertainment showcasing Black culture and artistry.

Dolores Sy is the owner of Dolsy skin products. She started her business after studying cosmetic science because she was experiencing severe allergies to store bought products.

“I started mixing up stuff, mixing up natural ingredients and I ended up finding a solution. My products are mostly 98 per cent natural, very natural. I give relief to people with acne, eczema, psoriasis, and just generally for a glow,” says Sy.

“We have to support each other, black people”

Vendors say the event is all about unity, bringing people together, building generations, friendships and networks with other black creatives.

“It’s more than a business. It’s a family legacy. We do make a juice from plant based, fruit and also roots like ginger, turmeric. It’s all natural,” says Rachel Olenga, owner of Rachel’s Juice.

Sacha Leduc, an educator, says it’s important for her to show up to these kinds of spaces.

“As a Black-mixed person, I think it’s very important to support and uplift the Black community and support Black businesses,” says Leduc.

“If you want to practice anti-racism and anti-oppression and be a feminist and be including disability justice, we need to go out there and uplift the community and that we really are not going to be liberated if we don’t all care for each other and uplift the most marginalized people in society.”

The event ran until 5 p.m. on Saturday and was free to attend.

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