Africa and Caribbean Markets are currently hosting a special pop up event for local small businesses in Brampton as part of Black History Month.
After virtually hosting a similar event last year when people were not yet comfortable going out because of the pandemic, Brampton this year has set up a pop-up event to help shine light on small business.
The event, which ends on Feb. 28, is being held at the Bramalea City Centre and is being organized by the group Africa and Caribbean markets and by the store Reveiller Afriq.
Erica Henry-Jackson, Coordinator of Foreign Direct Investment from Africa and Caribbean markets, said it was important to have this event live.
“It’s been two plus years now in the COVID pandemic, we have been supporting local small businesses and thought it would be a great opportunity for us to partner with Reveiller Afriq and do something with them,” said Henry-Jackson
“The theme of the pop-up store for this year’s Black History Month is Mental Health and Wellness.
Henry-Jackson told Humber News that many businesses are owned by Black women who were excited to have the opportunity to showcase their products in-person
“Our women-owned Black businesses said, being an online business, it was kind of hard for them to get to the customer and get that shelf presence,” said Henry-Jackson.
“They would welcome the opportunity to be able to showcase their products to be able to see to their customers.”
One of the businesses that are a part of the pop-up is H.A.E.L. Wellness founder by Leah-Marie McKay who said she found out about the pop-up through her connection with Reveiller Afriq owner Juliann Barry who reached out to her.
“Julian informed me that they’re having black business owner initiative right now that is funded by the City of Brampton,” she said.
McKay told Humber News H.A.E.L. Women’s Wellness started with research in holistic wellness which resulted in her launching 2020 product line.
H.A.E.L Women’s Wellness is a program designed to help promote and empower holistic health. It also helps develop innovative health and wellness program for women and their families.
Henry-Jackson said many of the vendors are in the Peel region and it make is very convenient for them to purchase material from other local small businesses and make them feel at home.
“One lady came in and she said ‘Oh my gosh!’ every day from specially curated and on display, and we got to talking and she says that she is originally from Egypt,” she said.
She said the customer felt at home with seeing all of the thing in the pop-up store that are culturally representative feeling like she in Egypt.
For McKay, this is the first time being part of the pop-up. She said a highlights for her and her business.
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity of course because sometimes you start a business and you don’t know where it’s gonna go,” she said.
“You don’t know if you’ll be mainstream at all or if you’ll be in the stores that are involved. But thankfully that has been that was not the case.” she said
Henry-Jackson feels that his event has helped shine the light and support these local small businesses ad hope to they continue get the support moving forward.
“I really encourage everybody to go support local for businesses who are running campaigns, be sure to use the support local Brampton hashtag, but the city is really just committed to making sure that small businesses are not left behind.”