Over 40 local vendors attend the 3rd annual 'Blackity Black Holiday Market'

By: CBS 58 Newsroom

Posted: Nov 30, 2024 4:47 PM CDT

NOW: Over 40 local vendors attend the 3rd annual ’Blackity Black Holiday Market’

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Milwaukee's Black community is coming together to show their own small businesses some love this weekend.

Turner Hall Ballroom was transformed into HYFIN's Blackity Black Holiday Market, with more than 40 local vendors selling everything from clothing to books, jewelry and more.

Vendors we spoke to this year tell us the market was bustling with customers. Organizers say its building up to the community's fabric.

"With small Black businesses it's hard to really get started and get out there and be known. So, it's nice for us to be able to shop with our own, with other Black people. and to help build our economy, the Black economy," said Latoya Swift, owner of The African In Us.

HYFIN hopes to build on 2023's success, more than a thousand people attended last year.

The market is just one way the organization helps Black businesses. They recently started a small business scholarship, giving local business owners tens of thousands of dollars in marketing.