BLK-Owned Hamilton showcasing Black businesses with merchandise box
A Hamilton organization has put together a merchandise box aimed at helping people fall in love" with Black-owned businesses.
BLK-Owned Hamilton, which started as an Instagram account in June 2020, launched the boxes earlier this month as part of their Black History Month celebration campaign.
Ashleigh Montague, who co-founded the organization alongside her sisters, said the idea was a pivot from a market series they originally planned to host at McMaster Innovation Park this month.
Disrupted by the latest wave of COVID-19, Montague said they had to find an online solution that could still support the businesses in a similar way."
And so they landed on the boxes.
The original box, which costs $65, includes a sweater designed by local artist Aaron Perry, coffee beans from Manchester Coffee, a Cajun butter sauce made by Vzzz Caribbean Catering, body butter from Oaesis Within and turmeric soap handmade by Bubbles Lips and Cosmetics.
Depending on their interests, customers can also expand their box with self-love and youth package add-ons. Those packages, which cost $25 each, include items such as a candle from The Glowing Garden and a bath bomb made by Khi Khi Blast.
Montague said through the boxes, the organization is hoping to draw more exposure to Black-owned businesses that some one-time customers may not have discovered otherwise.
We're hoping (the customers) fall in love with the products," she said. And they become continuous shoppers outside of Black History Month."
Montague said visibility could also lead to further opportunities for Black entrepreneurs to collaborate with other businesses and sell their products at local shops - something the organization has seen transpire through their markets hosted last year.
Those are the kinds of interactions this space and platform can bring," said Montague.
To further celebrate Black History Month, Montague said the organization is also highlighting Black-owned businesses that have been operating for more than 20 years, such as Amorphous Hair Group on King Street East, and launching registration for their inaugural Black youth entrepreneurship hub training program.
And come March, their online directory of Black-owned businesses will also go live, she added.
The BLK History Month boxes can be preordered online until Feb. 18 by visiting blkowned.ca.
Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. fhewitt@thespec.com