An annual event to celebrate and promote local Black-owned businesses is scheduled in downtown Fayetteville this weekend.
The Black Owned Northwest Arkansas Business Expo will take place from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24 at Fayetteville Town Center.
The annual event is organized by locals Jasmine Hudson, J’Aaron Merchant and Sierra Polk. The group first got the idea to highlight Black-owned businesses after moving to the area and looking for familiar and culturally-relevant health care facilities, hair salons, places of worship and other services.
After seeing a need for some type of directory, the group launched an Instagram account called Black-Owned Northwest Arkansas (@blackownednwa), which serves as a curated guide to local Black-owned businesses, and has since grown to over 11,000 followers. A website directory is also available at BlackOwnedNWA.org.
This year’s expo will include about 60 vendors, showcasing everything from vintage clothing and candles, to baked goods and samosas.
The event is free to attend and open to the public, though registration is requested and donations will be accepted.
For more information, visit blackownednwa.org. To register, visit the Eventbrite page.
