Juneteenth Shop Black Festival returns in person
The Juneteenth Shop Black Festival will feature local Black-owned businesses including Pop’s Kernel. The event is Sunday, June 19, at the Pipkin Building, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Courtesy Cynthia Daniels)
Local event strategist Cynthia Daniels is promoting the third annual Juneteenth Shop Black Festival Sunday, June 19, focusing on support of local Black-owned businesses.
In 2020, during the pandemic, Daniels established a virtual platform to help consumers safely shop with 100 Black businesses. Sunday’s event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Pipkin Building (940 Early Maxwell Blvd.) coincides with Juneteenth, a federal holiday that commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
In 2020, the virtual event featured 100 Black-owned businesses from around the country. Sales totaled $1 million.
“I really wanted to create a space for Black businesses that didn’t get the opportunity to go to the trade shows and festivals during the summertime, early on during the pandemic back in June 2020,” Daniels said.
Cynthia Daniels
This year’s in-person experience will feature local businesses with products such as artwork, clothing, beauty essentials and more. The list of businesses includes The Candle Bakery, Pop’s Kernel and Lennox Watches. Vendors will travel from New Orleans, Atlanta, St. Louis, Huntsville, Alabama, and Palm Beach, Florida.
In past years, Daniels has brought together Black business owners and customers in Memphis with events such as Memphis Black Restaurant Week, Soulful Food Truck Festival and Black Christmas Expo.
“People need to understand that when they’re spending money with a Black business, you’re recirculating that money so they can reinvest it. They can expand their team. They can expand their business, invest in more marketing to have a larger platform. When you are shopping Black, you are really helping that business thrive,” Daniels said.
Live music Sunday will feature Gerald Richardson at 12:30 p.m.; Carmen Hicks at 2:30 p.m. and Courtney Little at 4:30 p.m.
“I don’t want it to just be every year we focus on the history of Juneteenth. What I’m trying to do is change the narrative by saying, ‘On Juneteenth, let’s make sure we patronize locally owned Black businesses.’ We can make this a day to celebrate,” Daniels said.
Go here for more information.
Topics
Juneteenth Cynthia DanielsCourtney Wilson
Courtney Wilson, a business intern for The Daily Memphian, studies journalism and strategic marketing at the University of Memphis. Courtney is passionate about writing and digital marketing.
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.