First Black Friday flea market supports dozens of Black-owned businesses in Baltimore

WHETHER PERUSING PLANNERS OR PICKING OUT ONE OF A-KIND ACCESSORIES. THE BAFM BLACK FLEA MARKET IS SHOWCASING ALL BLACK EVERYTHING. >> INSTEAD OF GOING TO MAJOR CORPORATIONS THAT ALWAYS GET ALL THE DOLLARS, WE’RE MOSTLY EXCITED ABOUT THE BLACK BUSINESSES THAT GET TO BE HIGHLIGHTED TODAY. AND IT’S A BRAG TO SAY I GOT ALL BLACK-OWNED GIFTS. THAT FEELS GOOD DURING THE HOLIDAYS. TOMMIE: BRI MOBLEY CO-FOUNDED THE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE. SHE SAYS IT STARTED OUT AS A PASSION PROJECT AND NOW IT’S A MOVEMENT. AND THIS IS THE FIRST BLACK FRIDAY FOR THE POP-UP MARKETPLACE. >> IT’S SUCH A LIKE TRIBE VIBE ENERGY HERE AND YOU JUST FEEL LIKE YOU’RE PART OF A FAMILY. TOMMIE: IT AIMS TO EMPOWER BLACK CREATIVES ACROSS BALTIMORE. FROM RICH ROCKET’S ONE OF A-KIND VINTAGE CLOTHING GIVEN NEW LIFE. TO INDIA LACEY’S PANDEMIC PROJECT TURNED BUSINESS VENTURE. >> WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I WAS ALWAYS THE KID FOR GIFTS I WAS ALWAYS GIVING MY MOM HANDMADE GIFTS MY DAD HANDMADE GIFTS. TOMMIE: SHE SAYS THE MARKETPLACE ALLOWS HER TO PURSUE HER PASSION OUTSIDE OF HER 9:00 TO 5:00 JOB. >> IT MEANS EVERYTHING. I USED TO ALWAYS GO OUT FOR BLACK FRIDAY WITH THE CRAZY PEOPLE IN TARGET AND ALL THAT, BUT NOW I STRICTLY JUST DO ONLY BLACK AND ONLY LOCAL, SO IT’S BEEN GREAT JUST TO BE A PART OF IT AND NOT HAVE TO SPEND MONEY. TOMMIE: PEOPLE SAYING IT’S MORE THAN SHOPPING. BUT A WAY TO BACK LOCAL, BLACK BUSINESSES RATHER THAN BIG BOX STORES THIS BLACK FRIDAY. >> I HEARD ABOUT BLACK BUSINESSES AND I JUST LOVE SUPPORTING THEM. HONESTLY I JUST WANTED TO COME OUT, SPEND SOME MONEY IN THE COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT. TOMMIE: NOW IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO MAKE IT OUT TO THE IN PERSON EVENT TODAY THERE’S ALSO A METAVERSE EVENT ONLINE FEATURING 12 BLACK-OWNED VENDORS. GO TO OUR WEBSITE TO FIND THE LINK.

While some shoppers hit the big box stores for Black Friday, others stopped by a first-of-its-kind flea market held inside Baltimore Unity Hall.“We are redefining what Black Friday looks like, so literally this is Black Friday, because we are deep in here and just celebrating Black culture and shopping Black today,” BLK FLEA MKT co-founder Bri Mobley said.The hall’s director says the B.A.F.M. Black Flea Market is activating the newly-opened Madison Park space."It's very nice for me to actually see the reason that this space is here actually happening, and that's what's happening all day today,” Baltimore Unity Hall Center Director Petula Caesar said.The shopping experience includes handmade jewelry, art, food, technology and racks of clothing you won't see anywhere else.“It's such a tribe vibe energy here, and you just feel like you're part of a family,” Vintage Thrivals Creative Director Rich Rocket said.Rocket started his vintage clothing company four years ago. He's been setting-up shop with the flea market ever since, but this is the first Black Friday pop-up they've held.“It’s showing that we are changing the shape of how things can be. We have the power to essentially put our dollar anywhere, and it's beautiful to see it coming back into the community,” Rocket said.India Lacey says it's the perfect hub for people to make their holiday purchases with purpose.“Every day I'm so thankful, because most months when I do pop-ups, especially the Black Flea Market, I've been able to pay my mortgage, all types of stuff, so it's been life-changing honestly,” Crafting with Indy owner India Lacey said.Shoppers say they'd rather ditch the big box stores and spend local while supporting Black-owned businesses."We don't spend as much time helping out each other as we should, so this opportunity was a great time for us to show support to everyone,” a shopper from Silver Spring, Kiana Guinyard, said.For those unable to make it to the in-person event, there's also a metaverse event with 12 Black-owned vendors. Find more information on the BLK FLEA MKT’s Instagram page.

BALTIMORE —

While some shoppers hit the big box stores for Black Friday, others stopped by a first-of-its-kind flea market held inside Baltimore Unity Hall.

“We are redefining what Black Friday looks like, so literally this is Black Friday, because we are deep in here and just celebrating Black culture and shopping Black today,” BLK FLEA MKT co-founder Bri Mobley said.

The hall’s director says the B.A.F.M. Black Flea Market is activating the newly-opened Madison Park space.

"It's very nice for me to actually see the reason that this space is here actually happening, and that's what's happening all day today,” Baltimore Unity Hall Center Director Petula Caesar said.

The shopping experience includes handmade jewelry, art, food, technology and racks of clothing you won't see anywhere else.

“It's such a tribe vibe energy here, and you just feel like you're part of a family,” Vintage Thrivals Creative Director Rich Rocket said.

Rocket started his vintage clothing company four years ago. He's been setting-up shop with the flea market ever since, but this is the first Black Friday pop-up they've held.

“It’s showing that we are changing the shape of how things can be. We have the power to essentially put our dollar anywhere, and it's beautiful to see it coming back into the community,” Rocket said.

India Lacey says it's the perfect hub for people to make their holiday purchases with purpose.

“Every day I'm so thankful, because most months when I do pop-ups, especially the Black Flea Market, I've been able to pay my mortgage, all types of stuff, so it's been life-changing honestly,” Crafting with Indy owner India Lacey said.

Shoppers say they'd rather ditch the big box stores and spend local while supporting Black-owned businesses.

"We don't spend as much time helping out each other as we should, so this opportunity was a great time for us to show support to everyone,” a shopper from Silver Spring, Kiana Guinyard, said.

For those unable to make it to the in-person event, there's also a metaverse event with 12 Black-owned vendors. Find more information on the BLK FLEA MKT’s Instagram page.

First Black Friday flea market supports dozens of Black-owned businesses in Baltimore

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