BuyBlackNB celebrates Juneteenth

by Steven Froias

When the BuyBlackNB Juneteenth pop-up market returns to the Rotch Jones Duff House and Garden in New Bedford on Juneteenth (Sunday, June 19), it will represent something more than an opportunity to discover local Black-owned small businesses, individual entrepreneurs, and craftspeople.

It will also reflect the stunning achievement that is BuyBlackNB itself. BuyBlackNB began its journey as an online platform in 2020 highlighting the area’s many Black-owned small business and creative endeavors. It was launched as a website that featured over 75 Black-owned businesses: buyblacknb.com.

Since then, BuyBlackNB has expanded into a physical presence by hosting a series of pop-up markets in New Bedford featuring the names on its website. The largest of these were the Juneteenth market last year in 2021, also at the Rotch Jones Duff House. Clearly, something clicked away from the computer mousepad, as BuyBlackNB became a brand in and of itself and a huge success.

It was so successful that the concept was even moved to Fall River this past spring for a Spindle City pop-up event. It, too, proved to be a hit.

Taking action

BuyBlackNB was founded by life-long New Bedford resident Justina Perry in 2020. She was, she says, galvanized into action after what she saw happening to Black bodies around the nation – crystalized by the muder of George Floyd.

Upon launching BuyBlackNB, Justina Perry stated, “In supporting local Black-owned businesses, we are working to close the racial wealth gap, strengthen our local economies, foster job creation, and celebrate Black culture.”

BuyBlackNB.com offered shoppers an interactive map to help patrons discover the businesses it listed in its directory, and it has continued to add new ones since 2020. There was no fee for these listings, as Justina explained, “The work is a labor of love for people, places, and products that make up the New Bedford community.”

With some funding from sources like Wicked Cool Places of New Bedford Creative for the New Bedford Economic Development Council, BuyBlackNB developed the pop-up markets as well as other online special projects.

Those include a Black-owned Holiday Gift Directory and a "Black in Business" virtual series to highlight and support Black entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders.

"HERstory: A Celebration of Black Women,” produced in association with the New Bedford Historical Society, began in February, 2021.

The Juneteenth pop-up market

Now, back by popular demand, BuyBlackNB will once again hold what’s becoming its signature event: the Juneteenth Pop-up Outdoor Market at the Rotch Jones Duff House and Garden Museum. On Sunday, June 19, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at 396 County Street, you can expect: over 20 hand-selected vendors featuring unique goods, products, and services; children’s activities with Doodles Creative Sessions; the 360 Photo Booth; live music; and even Father’s Day massages.

The vendors run the gamut from artists to fashion designers. Here’s a sampling:

Quinn Harris Illustrations

“Using my skills as a professional illustrator, my business provides quality illustrations for entrepreneurs and those with a passion for nerd culture. I provide merchandise such as prints and stickers and I also work with clients to produce art meant to tailor to their sensibilities and visions. This includes, logos, marketing, and other projects such as books and graphic novels.”

True 9 Accessories

In 2018, True 9 Accessories emerged from the heart of Boston native, Nikia Holmes. This Dorchester ‘80s baby was the quintessential "around the way girl." She set out to create accessories that bridged the gap between the urban and corporate worlds; as she calls it, "a small rebellion for self expression." With a combination of her love of Boston, music, fashion, and the memories of her great-grandmother, she created versatile, chic, and fun handmade accessories for all.

Celia’s Boutique

Celia’s has been a cornerstone of the downtown New Bedford retails scene for many years. Owner Cecilia Brito combines an eye for fashion with outstanding customer service and has created a dedicated fan base of patrons who know where to go when they want to get fashionable. That’s usually 111 William Street, but on Juneteenth, Celia’s makes a road trip to pop-up market with a selection of styles to get you in the mood for summer.

BuyBlackNB Blog

In addition to the online and outdoor events, BuyBlackNB also boasts a terrific blog on its website, BuyBlackNB.org.

Recent entries include a look at Abstrakt music, owned and operated by New Bedford native Michael “Mikey Life” Monterio III. Readers can learn that “Mikey, after having been around the world and being based in Los Angeles for around 20 years, has come back to New Bedford to fulfill his plan to headquarter his business in the city.

“For Abstrakt Music, the building which houses the company is a focal piece of his business and embodies his relationship with New Bedford. The Zeitz building which has stood as a respected area icon for almost a century has housed many previous New Bedford businesses.”

The writer, Busola Awobode, has many entries up on the site – all informative and a great community communications tool – not just for BuyBlackNB but fo.r everyone in the community Check it out before you check out the Juneteenth BuyBlackNB Pop-up Market on June 19; it will be your source for updated info on this event and all future events.