FAQ
Why did you name it Black Business Is Beautiful (BBIB)?
Initially named it after the Black Is Beautiful Beer movment in summer 2020. And then after the inagural event in September, the team gathered the vendors together to discuss the name and the platform, and it was unaniomous by the vendors that we should keep the name. And that an event that was founded by a white woman was different than other markets and should draw a different audience.
Who organizes BBIB?
Originally founded by Janet Johanson, the CEO of BevSource and The Lab - the event was FREE to vendors through the help of a few sponsors. After the inguaral event, the goal is to have this market as a vendor-led, self-sustaining market. The vendor committee determined the cost for vendors, timing, and dates for future events. The market is NOT for profit - ALL vendor registration fees are spent on marketing and event costs. All staff costs to coordinate, market, and organize are DONATED. Vendors keep 100% of their profits.
Who is welcome to come shop?
EVERYONE is WELCOME. The mission of this market is to have everyone in attendance feel welcome, loved, and safe. It is designed for all people – supporters of the black community, those that are curious or scared to meet other races and cultures, conservatives, liberals, racists, activists, adults, and children. Altogether Beautiful.
Isn’t having a market that is just for Black/BIPOC vendors discriminatory or racist?
Some may see it this way, but we hope that most can see that this market is to give an AFFORDABLE place for Black/BIPOC vendors a place to sell their goods and services. As an entrepreneur, it is difficult to get your product in the market, and we hoped by creating this market that we would be giving an opportunity to Black/BIPOC vendors to get new customers for their business. The organizers, vendors, and key community leaders see this as ALLYSHIP.
Secondly, the word BLACK is not associated with many positive words, and through many discussions, the vendros wanted to keep the original name so that the word BLACK is associated with somethign positive, BEAUTIFUL!!!
Do the people at Weathered Soul’s know that you are using their “Black Is Beautiful” logo?
YES! We asked permission back in August 2020 and since then they are excited about the progress and have given us an agreement to use the trademark long term. Check out more https://blackisbeautiful.beer/
Do you need more help?
Yes! We need help marketing - PLEASE contact us if you can spend 1-2 hours per week helping us with social media. We can always use more volunteers to help on Saturdays. We need financial help to pay for more advertising to get the word out. If you would like to join the organizing committee, let us know.