Black business in bloom
Black business is in season at this year's Apple Blossom Festival. Following nearly nine decades of less-than-diverse turnout and programming, representation promises to be in full bloom at the 88th celebration, marking a historic moment for the time-honoured tradition.
The seeds of change were planted by none other than Blk Women in Excellence (BWIE) founder and CEO Tia Upshaw, a champion of Black women entrepreneurship. Often sought by organizations, the local business community and most recently Ben Mulroney for her opinion on diversity and inclusion, the Halifax-based businesswoman and mentor constantly advocates making historically inaccessible spaces and opportunities available to Black businesses.
"I just didn't see myself there; there were no Black people," says Upshaw of the Apple Blossom Festival, which she has frequented for the past nine instalments while visiting her fiancé in Annapolis Royal. "Historically, Annapolis Valley, if you go back and look at any marketing materials of all the events they have, you generally will not see [Black people represented]. If you don't have any people of colour at an event, you can't take a picture and use it for marketing; it's a cycle.
You can't promote that you're inclusive and diverse because there are no promotional materials marketing materials to do that."
Always one to see an opportunity (or create it), Upshaw recognized a chance to bring in something new to mark Apple Blossom Festival's return
following COVID-19 cancellations while also uplifting the many Black women business owners she's mentored via the BWIE program. Reaching out to Town of Kentville community and economic development coordinator Lindsay Young to voice her concerns, she received a super supportive response.
"Immediately, she said, 'Can we set up a Zoom?'" says Upshaw, who proposed a pop-up market event during the festival showcasing BWIE alumni. "She was like, 'I'm all for this; let's get it moving.'"
Of course, tough talks needed to be had. "I'm always that person that does the awkward stuff and conversations to let people know like, 'You are not inclusive, you are not diverse and you cannot categorize yourself as a vibrant community if those things aren't aligned with diversity and inclusion,'" says Upshaw. "Once I laid it out, I think it was an 'aha' moment; even for Lindsay, she quickly recognized what had to change."
The change has most definitely happened and quickly.
Meeting with The Town of Kentville and partnering with the Apple Blossom Festival, Upshaw and BWIE have worked closely with Young and Tracy Matheson (an Annapolis Royal resident) for about two months to make the historic moment happen.
"The municipality has been the backbone; they are definitely allies — especially Lindsay and Tracy," says Upshaw. "Kentville has done everything above and beyond to ensure that we're celebrated and included — we're not just tolerated anymore."
And Upshaw and her cohort of Black women business owners will undoubtedly be celebrated.
Happening on May 28 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Kentville Centre Square, the Blossom With BWIE pop-up event will feature over 20 businesses. The market is eclectic, offering everything from massage candles, vegan chocolate bombs and African-printed clothing to jewelry, fidget spinners for autistic youth and even bookkeeping services.
For those looking for a bite to eat, the event will also feature food vendors, including Jamaican and Nigerian cuisine, traditional soul food, as well as vegan milkshakes.
"There's literally something for everyone," says Upshaw.
While the exciting popup event is welcomed by the Apple Blossom Festival, with no previous examples of representation at the event, Upshaw notes many of the women she's bringing to the festival aren't sure what to expect, adding incivility and disrespect have been a part of their experience in market spaces.
"I have built up the tenacity to do this; other women have not arrived there yet," says Upshaw. "Nobody wants to retraumatize themselves in that platform."
In preparation of the women's arrival, a spiritual wellness coach has performed a smudging cleanse to ready them to face the unknown, alongside conversations about racism, discrimination and community engagement.
"We don't want to go down thinking negatively, but we have to be realistic," says Upshaw, who is working with community officials to ensure a fantastic experience for all. "I have to ensure not just the women's safety, but that the trauma they may incur is minimized."
Leaning more on the side of optimism, Upshaw is hopeful the event will have a longlasting and positive impact on everyone, encouraging future collaboration.
"For the shoppers, I just want them to know that we have businesses just like their nextdoor neighbour may have and we all deserve to be celebrated and mainstreamed," says Upshaw. "We want not to feel like we're a burden and that people have to buy from us because we're Black businesses — they're buying from us because we're great businesses."
"For the vendors, I'm hoping their confidence, when they drive back to Halifax that evening, that they're just like, 'We rocked that and we can't wait for the next one,'" says Upshaw hoping the pop-up inspires Black businesswomen to walk into any space in which they wish to see themselves.
Arriving in town tomorrow, Upshaw plans to prepare for the big day by hanging promotional posters and taking time to engage with residents about her mission and how diversity can contribute to a vibrant community.
"I'm excited for change, even if it's small. I'm excited to be able to speak to individuals and educate them on what diversity and inclusion actually means — we're not just checking off boxes anymore," says Upshaw. "I'm excited to build new partnerships in Annapolis Valley… and ensuring that Black women and businesses are mainstreamed."
With the response Upshaw has received from locals already, it's safe to say there's a lot of love waiting for her and her fellow businesswomen.
"I want to thank them for even taking the opportunity to talk to me — it starts with one conversation," says Upshaw. "I never understood what an ally was; I used to hear that term a lot, but working with Lindsay and Tracy has given me a sense that change will happen. They welcomed me with open arms — they rock."
Meanwhile, Upshaw extends the open-armed gesture, inviting the community and visitors to witness the blossoming of something beautiful.
To learn more about the Blossom With BWIE pop-up event, visit: www.bwiecanada. com/events-cohorts.