On March 30, a team of vendors, performers, and artists will join forces to bring Beijing an event that is much more than a market. This outdoor extravaganza promises to provide a cultural experience that will also serve as a platform for businesses, services, and talents that might otherwise go unnoticed. Olivia Nadine is a baker and a social entrepreneur from Washington DC. Nadine has lived in Beijing for almost three years and is a co-founder of BlackEXPO.
As the date of the first-anniversary edition of BlackEXPO approaches, we caught up with Nadine to find out more.
BJK: What is Black Expo?
Olivia Nadine (ON): BlackEXPO is a social enterprise that promotes and supports other businesses. When I first had the idea to organize BlackEXPO, I posted a message on a WeChat group to see who else was interested. James Sserwadda responded. James used his creativity and savvy to elevate the idea to what people now know as BlackEXPO. My idea was kind of small and just based on the other markets I had attended. James had the idea to make it into a full event that is proper, engaging, and entertaining. It was through him joining the team that we had the idea of adding entertainers.
So, not only are we helping the businesses, but now we’re giving young performers a space to shine. Last year, BlackEXPO featured dancers, singers and poets. James’ role is absolutely invaluable. A lot of people may see me more as BlackEXPO but he is just as much, if not a little bit more, BlackEXPO as me. I could not do it without him.
BJK: Why did you decide to create BlackEXPO?
ON: Being a baker, I’ve done markets for going on two years now. I saw really good products that are out there and they’re making an impact but I wouldn’t see that many vendors of color. Part of it is just a space thing. When you’re new or less known it’s harder for you to break in because the people who are known and established will get the spots at the markets first.
What I would also see on WeChat was people asking, “Do you know anyone who has shea butter?” “Do you know anyone who has this?” “Do you know anyone who has that?” In the WeChat groups you share the contacts back and forth or maybe you share a picture, but then they expire, or no one wants to scroll through 500 past messages just to find that one person. So people kind of just give up and go with that second best thing that they didn’t really want.
Knowing that there are really great people out there who have quality products and knowing that you can’t blame the other markets because they can’t fit everyone… why not make a new space? And why not do it in a way that is fun and positive and engaging, but also helps solve a problem where people want to get their businesses out there and they want to grow and they want to have a market impact?
BJK: Tell me about the vendors that will be at this year’s BlackEXPO.
ON: We have several vendors specializing in fashion. This includes African-inspired apparel, custom clothing, backpacks, and purses. There will also be vendors selling beauty and haircare products. There’ll be a lot of all-natural, organic lotions, creams, and deodorants; everything you need to achieve that beautiful glow. There will also be really good food and beverages. You can find pretty much whatever you want.
BJK: Is the BlackEXPO just for black people?
ON: I’m glad you asked because that is a super common question. A lot of people hear BlackEXPO and they say, “I’m not black and so I can’t go”. I think 40 percent of our attendees have realized that it’s BlackEXPO but I’m interested or I’m intrigued or I just want to know more. We have vendors who are not black, we recognize that quality products are just quality products. From a purely business standpoint people have seen that BlackEXPO is a well-produced, well-managed brand and the event is successful and so they want to be a part of it.
BlackEXPO is open to everyone. One of the great things about it is that you get to learn new cultures and you get to see new traditions, and you get to see, maybe, people breaking any stereotypes. We want everyone to come. We want everyone to experience the joy and the fun and the positivity that is BlackEXPO.
BJK: Should I bring my children to BlackEXPO?
ON: Absolutely! Kids have a great time. Everything is family friendly. There’s just lots of great things for them to see and do.
BJK: What were some of the highlights of last year’s BlackEXPO?
ON: Not only did we have vendors who were selling out and so were able to make this really great contribution to their community and really push their own dreams forward, but then people just also had fun while doing it. What I thought would happen is that people would come, buy and then leave. That didn’t happen. We had people who got there at noon, when we opened the door, and they didn’t leave until 6pm. People came, saw, and had a good time and through that a lot of people have been inspired to start a business.
BJK: What advice would you give to somebody who desires to start a business but is hesitant?
ON: Just start, but start small. I started by just making a pan of brownies. You don’t have to jump out there and have a logo and a website. You just have to have a great idea and you will get clearer as you go deeper into the process. We didn’t see everything that BlackEXPO could be when I first had the idea, but we are seeing more and more each day.
Black Expo, Mar 30
All ages. RMB 20. 11am. Chaoyangmen Cultural Center, Neiwubu Jie 27, Dongcheng District.东城区内务部街27号.
For more of Pamela’s writing about life in Beijing, go to her blog www.itisreal.net.
Photos: thebeijinger.com, Twitter
