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Tables featuring products such as handbags, crystals, candles and accessories from local businesses filled the space at 119 Euclid on Friday afternoon. The lively home was filled with a uniquely decorated table showcasing products and work, with people from the campus community walking around excited to learn more about each business.

Syracuse University’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion held the event, called State of the Black Creative: Black Market, as part of SU’s Black History Month celebration. Its goal was to showcase and support Black-owned businesses in the Syracuse community, as well as to promote entrepreneurship for students attending the university. Each business at the event showcased their work, and the vendors at the market were eager and excited to share their knowledge about what it means to be an entrepreneur within the Syracuse community.
In case you missed it, here are some of the businesses that were on display at the event.

Cocoa’s Candles

Ulonda Hudgins-Johnson is the creator of multiple businesses. She formerly ran Hot Cocoas, a beauty supply store, and currently runs Cocoa’s Candles. She created her former business after losing her mother to leukemia. With Hot Cocoas, she hoped to establish a judgment-free environment where women feel comfortable when looking for hair products, such as a variety of wigs and hair extensions. Now, Hudgins-Johnson’s attention is fully on Cocoa’s Candles.

“When we look good and smell good, we feel good as whole, and I wanted to provide luxury uniquely scented body essentials for people that have allergies and sensitive skin like me,” Hudgins-Johnson said.

It has become one of her priorities to help women with their self-esteem and build confidence for their mental and physical well-being.

The Hair T(hair)apist

SU senior and track and field athlete Eunice Boateng started her business The Hair T(hair)apist during the pandemic. She realized her services would benefit underserved communities of color at the predominantly white university, she said. “My business became an outlet for me to continuously enhance the beauty, confidence, mindsets and souls of others,” she said. Eunice is dedicated to helping the community feel their best.

Bruja India

Tiffany Hamm is a spiritualist, diviner, curandera and certified Usui Ryoho reiki master who had her first pop-up shop for her company, Bruja India, at 119 Euclid during the Black Market. From 12-5 p.m., Hamm offered 15-minute tarot readings for $21 and 15-minute reiki healings for $21. Hamm also offers other services: “Something Light,” a written report of three cards that highlight current situation and channeled information that needs to be known, “To Filth,” an in-depth reading over live video that highlights current situation and channeled information that needs to be known, and “Nu Year/ Solar Return,” an in-depth reading that provides insight and information on what needs to be known for the year ahead.

Royal Lux by Jess

SU student Jess Aimunmondion is the owner of the small business Royal Lux by Jess. She sells beauty products and accessories such as false eyelashes, lip gloss and headbands. Her products are shipped worldwide, and she has four different lip gloss flavors and different lash styles — categorized by whether they accompany a natural or bold look — available on her website.

By Reya Simone

SU freshman Reya Thompson created her natural hair care product line, By Reya Simone, in 2020. Simone utilizes natural ingredients for her products, which can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. from her website. She brought her stimulating shampoo to the Black Market to promote her business, and other products coming soon on the site include a shea butter sealant and flaxseed curly custard.

Canvas Your Home

Local artist Rashad Mustafa Sr. brought some of his work, including paintings that featured basketball players Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, characters from “Dragon Ball Z” and legends from the popular first-person shooter game Apex Legends to the Black Market on Friday. He sells canvases with outlined illustrations, paint and brushes for paint & sip events, his own original paintings, T-shirts, hoodies and more. Mustafa can also be commissioned for logos and business cards and can be contacted by phone, Facebook or on Instagram.

The Daily Orange Culture staff contributed reporting to this article.

Published on February 23, 2022 at 11:36 pm