Friends set out stall for small businesses
WHILE the Manchester Christmas Markets are in full swing, another festive attraction with a difference is yet to make its debut in the city.
Named Melanin Markets, they specifically showcase black-owned businesses and black talent, and everyone is invited to attend next weekend.
The two women behind the market only met for the first time last month, but have been working tirelessly ever since.
Kelly Morgan, 32, and Bianca Danielle, 31, both from Manchester, have their own small businesses.
They came together after finding they were having the same conversations with people in their community – but not with each other.
In the space of a week, after being introduced by a mutual friend, they had given the market a name.
And within two weeks, had 100 vendors apply.
Their aim is to empower black business owners and break down the barriers some can face in selling their products in more mainstream avenues, and to encourage different communities to shop with them.
Kelly, who returned to Manchester this year after living in London for six years, said: “I felt in London there was a lot of diversity in what was being sold in shops, representing different cultures, but I didn’t see that when I came back to Manchester.
“London is ahead of the game but it has so much money, and so many places for funding opportunities.
“Melanin Markets is trying to help build that investment in our community and I feel like it’s my contribution to our city, I wanted to bring something to celebrate diversity in different ways.”
The market, taking place on Sunday, December 5, at Contact Theatre on Oxford Road – where the women both worked at different times – will host more than 40 stores selling a variety of gifts – from unique jewellery, books, homemade clothing, baked goods and more. “Everything is made with passion and love, with heritage and legacy in there. There’s a story with every stall,” Bianca said, who owns handcrafted accessories brand Ruby Dean.
Melanin Markets is a free Christmas market taking place on Sunday, December 5, from 12pm-5pm at Contact Theatre, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA.