We need to see more events like Four Brown Girl’s Blaxpo event. Not once in a while or just because we are close to Black History Month.
The Blaxpo weekend started on an energetic Saturday in a downtown loft. On the 4th floor more than dozen of vendors, entrepreneurs, artists and makeup and hair stylists were armed with their sales pitch and business cards. The Blaxpo event was way more interesting than your regular sales fair; there was a true feeling of unity amongst all the vendors. It’s 2016, let us put the women-are-always-shady-and-catty-with-each-other stereotype behind.
There was a lot vendors, entrepreneurs artists to choose from on Saturday. I mean everything from healthy hair, fashion tips and event planning. Some kiosks owners like yoga instructor Alkemy came to promote sell wellness. If you are looking to meditate and also stretch a few muscles, Studio Alkemy offers yoga and dance classes as well as massage therapy.
Across the room the Inhairitance reps were busy sharing tips on how to maintain healthy hair with various natural products. However, if you have a busy schedule and simply need someone to advise you about the best products to buy, you can fix an appointment with founder Abisara Machold or a member or her team. FYI, the Montreal company caters exclusively to curly, oily, wavy and locked hair types. For those who are not ready to start the natural hair journey yet, the Luxurious Mane booth had a great variety of virgin hair (dyeable) extensions. There was also a makeup booth provided by Sparks Mua. Makeup artist Sophia Guillaume invited to guests to her makeup booth to on her glam team.
A few artisans also presented their handmade jewelry, clothing and accessories line. I loved the african and west indian inspired patterns on Nifty, Hannatou and Emmeline designs. They are definetly worth checking out. I’m sure a few people were surprised like me to find out that there was a comic book stand at Blaxpo. Who knew that illustrator and writers Lateef Martin and Isabelle Duguay created a dope comic book series called Z’isle. Using Montreal as background, this serie is set seven years after a zombie apocalypse. Support you local writers!
The seventh floor was reserved to art paintings and installations. I won’t spend too much time describing all of the pieces I’ve seen but oh man do we have talented artists in Montreal. The floor had a smooth lightening that gave an extra touch to Benny Bing’s celebrity portraits. Bing, who started painting about a year ago told me that as soon as I would get out the elevator, his paintings would be the first thing catching my attention. He was right. Not because he painted the handsome Idris Elba but because the artist knows how to showcase the beauty of melanin on each one of his paintings. The visitors also loved the inspiring art pieces from Kosisochukwu Nnebe (Coloured Conversations), Leona Carthy and Keish Jp. Black culture never looked so good with your artworks ladies, keep up the great work!
I was not able to attend the Brothers and their Business was nothing but positive comments on the discussion. Great job guys, we need to hear see more businessmen in our community.
The festivities ended with the anticipated Brown Beauties Brunch.The ladies of Four Brown Girls invited four diverse but yet similar women to the discussion panel. Earlier, the guests and I were greeted with delicious drinks, food and sweets from Bayard Gateaux, Cointreau, Season Dreams and Boom J Cuisine. It was then time for the afternoon discussion.
To introduce the panel, spoken word artist Alyestal shared a powerful poem whom I know gave the audience the chill. Very powerful.
It was then time for a general discussion with the invited guests. Christelle François did an excellent job as the host and mediator of the discussion. Congolese author Marie-Louise Bibish Mumbu was once told by a man that she would not accomplish anything in life. Mumbu is now a fabulous mom, author with a contagious smile. Moral of the story, don’t let people put your down when you are planning to reach for the top.
Tania Clarke is an ambitious and fearless financial executive who had nothing but motivational words for future entrepreneurs. ” Be fearless and limitless”, Clarke said. She also added the importance of preparing your kids to be strong and ready to face the world. Clarke added that she served as a good example to her kids to not be scared of facing tough challenges. If your kids see you accomplish great things, what could stop them to do the same?
Canadian and tv personality and writer Namugenyi Kiwanuka was also part of the panel. You probably recognize her bouncy curls from her Vj days for MuchMusic channel. Kiwanuka shared a few words about love and relationships. ”Date whoever you want to date because there are so much expectations of who and how your partner should be” said the Uganda beauty. Kiwanuka also added that ”when you fall in love with someone, be their partner and try building something amazing with them”.
Last but not least was Maria Subban , mom of two teachers and three professional hockey players. Mama Subban, who immigrated to Ontario from Monserrat did not limit herself to anything and always worked hard to provide her kids with the best. With all of her kids doing great professionally, she is now enjoying the fruits of her labor. ”Strong girls, strong world”, Subban said.
Last weekend ended with some food for thought. It felt good knowing that your place as a black (or not) individual is valuable in today’s society.
We need to see more events like Blaxpo. Not once in a while or just because we are close to Black History Month. We need events like Blaxpo because we need to remind ourselves how much our place is valuable in a world where they rarely value our work, our children and most importantly our lives. The celebration of our culture should be celebrated all year long. A month is not enough.
M.U.L.A. 