BGSU celebrates Black History Month with Black-owned business market

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Bowling Green State University continued its Black History Month celebrations Tuesday by hosting a Black-owned business market on campus.

The event, held in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union, featured a variety of vendors offering a range of products including cupcakes, sweatshirts, jewelry and more.

Organized by BGSU’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, the market provided a platform for students and community members to promote their businesses and connect with a broader audience.

Jera Stewart, the owner of Jera’s Heavenly Sweet Bakery in Toledo, emphasized the importance of community connection for her business’s success.

“It’s important to keep your face in front of the customer. It’s important to get to know people from different walks of life, from different areas,” Stewart said.

Cristal Williams is the owner of Lock n’ Stitch, a business she started to make hair accessories for women of color. She says events like these are important not only for Black business owners, but for all creatives.

“It showcases what we can do, but not just us because there is creativity everywhere. I do anything to show support for any kind of event or any nationality,” Williams said.

Stewart says it’s important for Black business owners to pave the way for the younger generation.

“Younger people need to see anybody who wants to start a business and who has been afraid to do it,” she said. “They need to see us, they need to see those who did step out there and know they can do it too. If I can do it, truly you can do it.”

The celebration does not stop here. BGSU has more events planned, including the upcoming Black Issues Conference set to take place next week in the student union. For more information, visit BGSU’s website.