A Black entrepreneur is planning to Black-owned businesses in the spotlight this holiday shopping season, according to Yahoo! Life. Cythnia Daniels, who is also an advocate for Black businesses, is launching Black Business Friday on November 27. It will be an online shopping experience showcasing 200 Black-owned businesses across the United States.
That day is also Black Friday, which is considered one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Taking place the day after Thanksgiving, experts predict consumers to start shopping earlier than ever this year. The online shopping landscape has also changed how people approached this day, too.
”Now that we’re in this virtual space, it allows people to broaden their customer base. Also, small business owners have been at a disadvantage for so long,” Daniels said. “Typically, you hear about these designers out of Los Angeles and New York. Small businesses don’t necessarily have the budgets for marketing like those companies do. Now that the world is focused on virtual platforms, that gives them a level playing field.”
The goal of Black Business Friday is to help smaller businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. Daniels highlighted the struggles of minority-owned businesses, such as access to venture capitalists, loans and investors.
"Shoppers now recognize that local business owners are hurting more than anything, during this pandemic. And minority-owned businesses are struggling more than everyone else. This has hit the reset button with a lot of people to be more careful about how they spend their money locally with minority businesses," she said.
To you're interested in attending, you must RSVP on Eventbrite. Participants will get a link to the shopping platform the morning of November 27. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fashion, beauty, home goods and more will be offered at the online event.
The black business advocate also has experience organizing events tailored to minority businesses. Some of her work includes the virtual Juneteenth Shop Black, the Memphis Black Restaurant Week in 2016 and the Soulful Food Truck Festival. She is also planning to hold the third annual Black Christmas Expo from December 11 to 14, which is an online shopping event that will feature 100 businesses.
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