The Black Student Association at Saint Mary’s College hosted its second annual Melanin Makers Market in honor of Black History Month on Thursday afternoon.
Donna Taylor-Schuman, assistant director of the Office for Student Empowerment and advisor of BSA, shared that events like these are important because they help “expose Saint Mary’s students to other products and things that they might not normally be exposed to.”
She also described that planning an event like this consists of getting together with other members of BSA to discuss ideas, reaching out to local vendors and notifying them that there is a unique opportunity for them to showcase their businesses to students.
Taylor-Schuman emphasized the importance of building community and giving students the opportunity to support Black-owned businesses while also purchasing products that they truly love.
By having access to products created with the Black community in mind, it becomes important “for students that are homesick so they get a chance to just get a little taste of home.”
The market consisted of various products ranging from lotions and body oils to gourmet popcorn and treats. Michelle Dixon, founder of Dixon’s Specialty Popcorn, described building their business alongside the COVID-19 pandemic and navigating their way to success despite this challenge. She highlighted the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses, as they may provide unique alternatives in comparison to mainstream products.
“A lot of us start from the bottom, and we need a place to showcase our product,” she shared, in relation to the importance of events that showcase these business endeavors while simultaneously introducing students to quality and affordable products.
Junior Michelle-Marie Nimo stated that she believed events like these are important as it provides representation and diversity within different fields and ventures.
“It shows the different avenues that we can pursue as Black people. To have not only vendors that are Black but Black entrepreneurs, it’s so cool. And to have them showing their products off to people is very inspiring,” she mentioned.
Senior Nina Andoh expressed that it can be difficult to find products that are created specifically by and for Black people. She conveyed her joy in finding such products at the Melanin Makers Market.
“I had a difficult time finding products that work for me, like really good quality products that are really important with Black people in mind, and now I know where to get those,” she stated.
Senior Johanna Gonzalez also shared the impact of displaying and connecting with different cultural communities and recognizing them on campus. She is happy that students of other cultural backgrounds, particularly Black students, have organizations like BSA to find belonging in.
“It’s great to have representation, especially in a very important month, Black History Month, because I’ve had the pleasure of having Latino communities so close by and being incorporated into Saint Mary’s College. So I like that we can incorporate representation for other students,” she expressed.
Kenya Moffit, founder of Motha Earth Health and Beauty Supply, highlighted the significance of having access to natural health and beauty products. She seeks to promote healthy lifestyles and to provide people with a more holistic approach to health and beauty.
“I feel like a lot of people may want products that are more organic or healthy, and they might not know where to get them,” she said. “So us being here will kind of bridge the gap.”
