While most are still winding down from the holiday season, Black-owned businesses are thriving in Black spaces. Brand strategist and executive producer Renae Bluitt held her “She Did That” 2024 Holiday Bazaar event last month at Industry City in Brooklyn. The annual holiday Black marketplace, powered by Shea Moisture, was a one-day shopping experience featuring over 500 visitors and 60 plus Black-owned retailers from different parts of the country.
“Every year, we bring in previous merchants and every year it’s my intention to introduce the NYC market to new, elevated Black woman owned brands,” said Bluitt. Her awareness is highlighted when speaking about the importance of collective occasions. “Collaborative events are very necessary in our community, first and foremost, because we need each other,” said Bluitt. “We’re already entering the space of entrepreneurship with obstacles – but what we truly have that no one can take away from us is the richness of our connections,” said Bluitt. The holiday marketplace curator was extremely excited during the event as she greeted and spoke to everyone. “When we come together, we are extremely innovative, we have so much energy, style, and passion into what we do.”
Another addition to Bluitt’s brand is the launch of “He Did That.” It’s a new opportunity for Black men entrepreneurs to join the growing brand. Bluitt shared that 2024’s holiday market was very special because of her partnership with Shea Moisture. “People come ready to shop, ready to party, ready to be a community, make connections – it is an entire day of really good energy,” said Bluitt.
Bluitt has been working closely with Jamila Wright, co-owner of Brooklyn Tea, a tea shop in Brooklyn and Atlanta. “Jamila, through Brooklyn Tea, has done several events with us,” said Bluitt. Recently, the focus shifted to co-owner Ali Wright because of his participation in Shea Moisture’s trail blazer’s program in partnership with Georgetown University. According to Bluitt, that program is the foundation for the group of men who were featured at the 2024 Holiday Bazaar.
Brenika Banks photos
Wright stated that amplifying Black businesses is effective when the community focuses on uplifting each other. “Amplified Black-owned businesses are about hard work and economics,” said Wright. “The folks who are going to hire us the most and promote us the most are going to be us.” She also pointed out the importance of keeping the Black dollar circulated within the community. “Those dollars and resources pour back into the community.”
Bluitt emphasized the success of Black businesses and entrepreneurs despite being marginalized and having limited resources, as compared with white businesses. She believes special relationships and social currencies within the Black community travel much further than a one-time investment. “Through this ecosystem we’ve created with ‘She Did That’ businesses like Brooklyn Tea are able to come in, connect with new customers at the event and look around the room for their possibilities of new collaborations,” said Bluitt.
Cannabis education specialist Charmaine Amey would be thrilled for a future collaboration with Bluitt and Wright. Amey described the Black holiday shopping experience as, “the exact dose of medicine that I needed in this current season.” She was very appreciative for the personal invite by Bluitt while visiting Brooklyn Tea days prior. “Renae knows exactly how to make us feel special year after year – it was truly a magical experience,” said Amey. She also thanked Wright for exchanging educational tales with her and made sure to take photos with both Bluitt and Wright at the event.
Amey expressed her admiration for Bluitt and Wright while they continue to strategize and grow their businesses. “It’s very clear now, if we don’t build our own [brands] somehow, we will miss the boat – we need to see y’all, please stay visible,” said Amey.
In staying visible, Bluitt believes moving strategically is the best approach for Black brands to be successful during every season. “I think it’s really important for us to be even more visible during the holiday season as people are not just shopping for their families and loved ones, but people are doing a lot of shopping for themselves,” said Bluitt. She expressed knowing many people who are doubling down on their support for Black businesses, especially moving into the new year. Bluitt advised Black-owned businesses to start early, identifying all opportunities available for them to exhibit and promote their brands in 2025 and beyond.
For more information, visit https://shedidthat.co/.
