Woodland Mall puts the spotlight on Black-owned businesses in weekend showcase

Ben Robinson with his family started Robinson Popcorn in 2018. They sold t-shirts to help get the business started. With the money, Robinson renovated a space in Wyoming’s Rogers Plaza and also has a kiosk in Woodland Mall. (Supplied)

By Anna Johns
WKTV Intern

As a Black business owner, Ben Robinson knows first-hand how challenging 2020 has been on local businesses.The pandemic, civil unrest, and the unstable economy have had huge effects on these small businesses and many are barely hanging on.

So when Woodland Mall officials asked how Robinson would like to celebrate the second anniversary of Robinson Popcorn, he suggested the mall host a Black-owned community showcase.

“This time is not about me, it’s about the whole Black community,” said Robinson “Our vision is to provide a venue where Black-owned businesses can come together under one roof to showcase who they are and what they offer to our entire community.”

This weekend, Woodland Mall will be hosting its first Black-Owned Business Showcase featuring forty regional businesses. Due to pre-show interested, the showcase was expanded to run 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24. At this event shoppers will have the opportunity to visit booths run by local Black-owned businesses. These booths offer everything from fashion to home goods to services.

“This is not a day just to celebrate us, but to celebrate all Black-owned businesses in our community,” Robinson said. “Many in our community came out to march and affirm Black Lives Matter. It’s also important to be there to rebuild, unify and achieve the vision of equality on Main Street as well as Wall Street.”

For Alisha State, owner of Bodacious Beauty, the Woodland Mall Black-Owned Business Showcase is her first such event. (Supplied)

For many of the vendors, such as Alisha Staten, CEO of Bodacious Beauty Cosmetics, this is their first showcase. Staten said she is very excited to be given this opportunity and hopes this will give her new business more exposure.

Staten launched her business in February selling beauty, cosmetics, and personal care items. When the lockdown hit she lost numerous networking opportunities and vending events.

“I haven’t let these hardships get in my way and have been continuing to build my business all while working a full time job during the pandemic,” Staton said, adding it is her passion for “others to live boldly, brilliantly, and beautifully.”

Love Hartfield, owner of Love Collections LLC, is excited to be able to show what her company has to offer in a safe environment. (Supplied)

This is also Love Collections LLC owner Love Hartfield’s first showcase as well. Hartfield actually took advantage of the March shut down and started her business by using the extra time to build her inventory, making necklaces, earrings, and coasters from resin. She promoted her products on social media and relied on online sales.

“I’m excited to participate in the Black-Owned Businesses Showcase because I get to show Grand Rapids what Love Connections LLC has to offer and sell them in a safe space with other black-owned businesses,” Hartfield said.

According to Hartfield, there is still a financial racial gap here in America. Supporting black-owned businesses will help shrink that gap and create opportunities for black communities. “Showing support to a black owned business elements the concerns of racial insensitivity that many other non-black owned businesses portray,” Hartfield said.

The showcase will be held at Woodland Mall located at 3195 28th St SE. For more information and a list of vendors, visit www.shopwoodlandmall.com/calendar.