Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) in partnership with the Anheuser-Busch School of Business Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) and the African Chamber of Commerce St. Louis hosted a Black History Vendor Fair on a chilly February 15, 2025.
A day after Valentine’s Day, a spirit of Black love and achievement was in the air.
According to the CIE, its curriculum and programs geared to enhance Black and brown scholars as well as the broader innovation community and entrepreneurship ecosystem.”
Julian Keaton, CIE’s community manager, described the fair as a way to “showcase minority-owned businesses and put some money in their pockets.”
Not only was there a sense of economic collaboration among vendors, there also seemed to be a collective recognition that the event was a timely response to a political and social environment determined to dismantle Black safety nets.
Speaking for himself and not the university or business center, Keaton stressed, “We’re at a time and place in history where we’ve been before; where we’ve had to lean back into our own community and lift each other up… at the core of it all, it’s time for us to come together and practice group economics.”
On that note, Johnson Lancaster, one of the founders of Progressive Emporium & Education Center and a vendor, quoted historian John Henrik Clarke.
“(Clarke) used to say, ‘Nobody is going to advance the progress of African people like African people,’” Lancaster said, adding: “He meant that we don’t have any allies, so we must depend on ourselves.”
Lancaster credited Harris Stowe and CIE for organizing the fair which he said provided opportunities for Black entrepreneurs “to network with other businesses from the African diaspora and other places.”
Around noon, Nigerian businesswoman, Kayla Iken had sold almost all of her 15 packages of colorful homemade cupcakes. She, too, spoke highly of the day’s event. “It’s been very, very energetic. I love the diversity of vendor fairs, I really do.” Iken said.
East St. Louis businesswoman Briana Brown gave equal kudos. The fair, she said, gave her the chance to network and “connect with different entrepreneurs” and promote her business, “Buttons by Briana.” Proudly showcasing a diverse display of hand-crafted aluminum buttons, earrings and pins-all covered in eclectic fabric-Brown said, “I hope I made a mark on somebody today, so they’ll invite me back.”
Brown added that she hopes the withdrawal of funds and institutional attacks on diversity, inclusion and equity will move Black consumers to action.
“I think it’s big. If you can support Target, if you can support Walmart, then you can definitely support small (Black) businesses,” she said.
In a sunshine yellow dress with a matching disposition, Volo Brewer, a native of Guinea in West Africa cheerfully described her mission to promote the work of women from Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and other parts of the African continent.
“I feel they don’t get the kind of recognition in the global market that they deserve,” Brewer explained. “Because we are the biggest consumers in the world, my main goal is to not only showcase our talent, heritage and culture but also embrace it and show the world the beautiful things that we make.”
Waving her hand across a colorful collection of earrings, necklaces, bracelets and clothing, Brewer boasted: “We don’t do mass production. Every single piece is unique. Everything made by hand is luxury.”
Reflecting on challenges facing businesses of color, Brewer cited an African proverb, “‘If you want to go far, go together.’ We have more power in togetherness.”
Mellarie and Tyree Thomas are founders of Tommy Wong Select Premium Seasonings and Sauces. The couple, who started the company in 2020, described the fair as a wonderful way to network, showcase their vast selection of spices, reconnect with loyal clients and introduce themselves and their products to potential ones.
Considering today’s social and political environment, Tyree said networking events like Saturday’s fair are “more important now than ever.”
“We, as a community, must band together and support each other in every avenue…that’s the way we’ve always survived. We either live together or die alone.”
It was Cherlier Willis’ first time participating in a CIE business fair. The owner of Krafty Kravings, Willis a self described “artist by heart”-promoted her unique line of decorated cookies. They include Black Lives Matter-themed cookies and a “314 Day” selection depicting Old Vienna chips, Vess soda and a box of fried rice creative decorations.
Willis said she was moved by vendors at the fair who seemed to support and encourage one another. “It lets me know this is community and it’s intentional.”
Aware but not deterred by efforts to stymie diversity programs, Willis spoke defiantly and somewhat prophetically.
“DEI, do what y’all gonna do and we gonna do what we gotta do,” she said.
“You got your plan and God got his!”
Sylvester Brown Jr. is the Deaconess Foundation Community Advocacy Fellow.