Melanin Markets Manchester returns this May for huge celebration of black-owned businesses
08.04.2022 - 15:39
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
This May, Melanin Markets will take over the Royal Exchange Theatre, celebrating and showcasing black-owned businesses in the UK. Following the success of its Christmas-themed event last year at Contact Theatre, Melanin Markets Manchester returns on Sunday, May 8 on an even bigger scale.
Visitors can expect vibrant music, food, drink, art, homeware, clothing and much more as the popular event takes over The Great Hall. Last year saw 42 black-owned businesses showcasing their products and services, with over 1,000 people in attendance and £25,000 made.
Melanin Markets Manchester was created by professional arts sector workers, Bianca Danielle and Kelly Morgan. They both feel passionately that art and culture is for everyone regardless of class, age or race, so they have created Melanin Markets as a way to actively engage with their community and bring them into the centre of these spaces, hoping to break down barriers.
READ MORE: Meet the new CEO of Contact - the first woman, Mancunian, and youngest to run the theatre
Bianca Danielle, co-founder and producer of Melanin Markets said: “We created Melanin Markets to celebrate and promote black-owned business vibrantly and unapologetically. We purposefully choose to host our event, within unorthodox spaces not usually frequented by the black community.
“We want to normalise seeing and spending with black businesses whilst breaking down systemic discrimination and inequality."
Kelly Morgan, co-founder and producer of Melanin Markets adds: In 2020, Manchester marched in support of the Black Lives Matters movement, acknowledging the need for change and action in all areas of society. The Black Pound Day initiative plays an extremely important role in creating opportunities