Black culture is culturally expressive and vibrant. It continues to shape the world, stemming from a history of resilience, empowerment, social commentary and creativity. This year’s Black History Month’s theme is on reclaiming narratives and Black entrepreneurs embrace that narrative by reclaiming economic power based on their voices and talents, although so much more needs to be done systemically.
In the UK, the ethnicity pay gap significantly harms Black workers and families alongside the systemic barriers faced by Black-owned businesses. In addition to lower wages, limited opportunities for career advancement and access to financial resources heighten the difficulties Black entrepreneurs face.
This is what influenced Jen to establish the Black Culture Market, situated in the heart of Brixton. The market provides a space for Black entrepreneurs to showcase a wide range of offerings, including food, drinks, art, jewellery, skincare products, and much more in the retail industry. The Black Culture Market is a celebration of cultural heritage and increases Afro Caribbean representation by providing a supportive safe space for Black entrepreneurs to empower and uplift one another.
In this interview, I spoke with the lovely Jen, where we discussed policy initiatives, the importance of financial literacy, helping local communities and creating economic advancement for Black entrepreneurs.
The Black Culture Market is a successful venture in Brixton, an area known for its Afro-Caribbean cultural heritage. Are there any other places in London and the UK you’d like to expand and explore in?
Yes, it’s about the visibility in the UK and potentially global one day. We have done other areas in the UK, more central in Waterloo, and we do work with corporate clients which tends to be more private events all over London. We’re looking at other areas, it’s more about knowing the communities, entrepreneurs and making sure it feels authentic.
What is a sector you’d like to see more Black people develop products and branding in?
Over the years, I’ve been so happy to see different products in different sectors. There's skin care, there’s hair care, but it’s great to see more educational items and beverages in national retailers. It’s great to see more Black fashion designers in luxury and streetwear. It’s also great to see more Black entrepreneurs in alcohol which is not the easiest space to navigate. I’m for a variety. There is no particular area, but I love that more and more have expanded in spaces that Black entrepreneurs were not known to take space in.
What policy initiatives could be in place to develop the next generation of Black leaders in business and beyond?
I think it’s around that financial literacy from a young age. Understanding finance, understanding opportunities. When you are in school, what do you see before you? Are there entrepreneurs in your family? What role models are being brought into school?
In terms of policy, it’s about looking at statistics. 0.2% of funding goes into Black entrepreneurs or businesses. How can we change that in policy? What kind of biases are out there to show that businesses are not getting access to that funding? How can Black entrepreneurs and businesses be better prepared to get to the next level? I think policies around that would be good.
How can we continue to support you, the Black Culture Market and Black businesses all year round, not just during Black History Month?
Black Culture Market is all year round, five to six times a year. I love Black History Month, and I know some people are like, Black history is not just a month but I see it as celebrating a birthday. You can celebrate yourself all year round, but it’s nice to just also bring to the forefront. Having a month is great.
The way to support is to keep coming to events, keep encouraging the entrepreneurs that are there, keep supporting by buying and be conscious about where you’re spending your money. People who look like you, value you and who are also interested in the culture looking in. You don’t have to be of Afro-Caribbean descent to shop and visit the Black Culture Market. You don’t even have to buy; a lot of people just come in for the atmosphere, and give us good feedback which is so helpful.
In what ways does the Black Culture Market collaborate with local communities to ensure the most marginalised voices are heard in discussions about closing the wealth gap?
Initially, Black Culture Market started in Brixon, it remains in Brixton, and it is about amplifying local Afro-Caribbean people who had an interest in launching a business. This is still the core of it.
In terms of the wealth gap, I was looking at these statistics. I’m not in those positions of power in terms of lending but what I can do is encourage people and communities I know to be conscious of where they are spending their money, so business owners can have a sustainable income from the products they create. I still work with local communities, small retailers in Brixton and extended areas to look at how they can stock some of the entrepreneurs' products.
The event brings a lot of people all over to Brixton. People come from all over London, which helps the local area and businesses which may not be trading but being in the area, benefit as well. So, everybody wins.
How can the Black Culture Market influence national policy to better support Black entrepreneurs and address the systemic inequalities that hinder economic advancement?
I guess it’s on the same lines of education. Starting from youth, making sure there is access to resources. Not everyone has that example from their family where they can directly speak to that role model in business. Incubators and accelerators are great. I’ve been on a few myself, and I do recommend them to traders. It’s not necessary policy related, but there are next steps to take. I would love to see more practical help for education-based incubators and experts to walk along entrepreneurs and get things done rather than just presenting the theory of everything, that can be very overwhelming. Like, this is what you do but you need someone to help you get things done.
One of the reasons Black Culture Market started was because there has been a lot of changes in Brixton and gentrification. I have no issue with development, I think it’s great to improve areas. But what I witnessed was Afro-Caribbean communities being displaced. So policy can be looked at and thought about in a way that local residents do still have access to local land and resources.
What would be the ultimate dream for Black Culture Market’s future?
I want more and more visibility. Markets are the basic entry level to selling a product, testing it and getting more feedback which is great. As the years go on, and some entrepreneurs are still with us, I’d like to see expansion into digital spaces and larger department stores, stock into more retailers and just expanding and scaling for the Black Culture Market and Black entrepreneurs.
All Image Credits: Black Culture Market.
You can check out the Black Culture Market’s Instagram page here.
Their highly anticipated free event is scheduled for Saturday, 5th, and Sunday, 6th October 2024, from 11:00 to 17:00 at The Department Store, 248 Ferndale Road, Brixton, London, SW9 8FR. Book your free ticket here.
Christabelle Quaynor, Policy and Influence Officer
Comments