Written by Hannah Duffy
Sydney Williams and Kayla Gilliam, owners of Two Broke College Students, are among the many Black entrepreneurs from North Florida who are founders of Flagler College’s Black Student Union (BSU) Melanin Monday. We had an opportunity to promote our work in the market.
The underrepresentation of black businesses is not due to a lack of talent or resources, but rather because black businesses are not given equal opportunities and exposure.
“I come from a family of entrepreneurs, so this is a second-generation job and really fun to pursue,” Williams said.
Gilliam and Williams were just two of the many voices showing Flagler College students and faculty that entrepreneurship in the Black community is possible, regardless of the barriers that may exist. .
“My mission is to get our name out there and compete with other companies to get opportunities that we as Black women entrepreneurs don’t typically get,” Gilliam said.
Katera Frazier, BSU event coordinator and owner of Crochet with Passion, has been an activist supporting the market in hopes of gaining recognition for Black-owned small businesses, especially in the St. Augustine area.
“The Melanin Monday Market is important because we are a majority white institution and we Black people make up 4% of our campus population. So we bring Black-owned businesses to our campus. “I think it’s important to bring it in and allow our students and staff to support us on a monthly basis,” she said.
Black communities have lacked skilled literacy since slavery due to anti-literacy laws, making it illegal for enslaved people to learn to read and write. It’s 2023, and many young Black students are still entering elementary school a step back from the jump, not provided with the same resources and tools as other students.
In reading comprehension alone, 85% of black students lack reading proficiency, according to the National Report Card.
Author Daniel Gallman recognized the lack of exposure and diversity that writers portray in children’s writing. Her son was also one of those affected by her lack of exposure, and she made it her personal mission to change that.
Her goal was to provide him with a platform to read and access books, especially those featuring characters similar to his.
“I wanted to give him something that would inspire him to love everything that makes him who he is and all the potential he has,” she said.
He took the book to his non-black classmates and they loved it so much that Gallman decided to make it into an ongoing series.
“I want other kids to have similar experiences. I want them to learn how to love themselves and each other. History, science fiction, everything from all over the world. A way to explore everything. Books and their mental power.”
More than just a physical book, Gallman’s work encourages young children to get out into nature, explore the world, and understand how ecological communities function.
“I’m also writing my third and fourth books, because I take my son to the garden with me. And I teach him how to put his hands in the dirt, where the food comes from. Because I want them to learn what comes and learn how nature works and learn to take it. Take care of it,” she said.
Exploring the world and environment was a common theme among the vendors who gathered on the West Lawn on Monday.
Ciarra, owner of Krayige Faye, is passionate about ensuring that all her products not only nourish her customers, but are also kind to the environment.
Wood wicks, soy wax, and clean fragrances are all part of the mission.
“We are here. We should always be there and always have a platform to sell and provide you with amazing products that nourish you, your body, and your environment.” she said.
Melanin Monday Market allows small Black businesses to put their name on the map and allows other businesses to explore different cultures and what makes them unique.