Hartford

The Black History Past Is Present

by Jamil Ragland | Feb 15, 2024 4:28 pm

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“I’m Black and I’m Proud” Black History Month Meet and Greet
Alvin & Beatrice Wood Human Services Center
Bloomfield
Feb. 14, 2024

Black History Month, by its very name, often focuses on the past accomplishments of African Americans and others in the African diaspora. But February is also a great time to shine a light on the present-day achievements that Black people continue to make.

The ​“I’m Black and I’m Proud” meetup, held at the Alvin and Beatrice Wood Human Services Center in Bloomfield, is one such showcase. Hosted by the Bloomfield Humanities Commission, the meetup featured Black-owned small businesses from around the area. There were six businesses present, each with their own table and offering its own take on Black beauty care, clothing and aesthetics. A small but intrigued crowd mulled between the shops.

I stopped at Desi’s Beauty Supply first. The wonder, Desiree Johnson, began her pop-up shop six months ago and travels to events to sell her haircare and beauty supplies. She offered many of the brands that her customers have relied on for years. I spoke with a young lady who was working the booth who is interested in pursuing journalism. There aren’t nearly as many Black journalists as there should be, so I shared some of my wisdom with her (such as it may be). 

Next I ventured over to PUSH Classic Collections, staffed by the mother-daughter duo of Kay and Kierra Johnson (no relation to Desiree Johnson). The two take a spiritual approach to their clothing business, which began in 2020 after Kay was laid off from her 20 year job in corporate America. 

“With faith and with God, I started this online business,” she explained between welcoming customers. ​“PUSH stands for ​‘Pray Until Something Happens. I wanted to create inspirational clothing to help women remember the shero that’s within, and to help them with transitions in their lives like I experienced.”

Kay embroiders her clothes with religious and inspirational messages that celebrate Black history as well as self-reliance, rebirth and growth. She wants to serve as an example that even when it feels like things have crashed down and life is over, it could simply be a new beginning. 

Finally, I stopped by Socks by GeeGee. This booth caught my attention because I love socks for their colorful designs that can set off an outfit; if you ever see me on the street, you should definitely ask me which socks I have on. The business was started by Greg Drayton back in 2016 for a somewhat unique reason. 

“I wanted some milk-and-cookies money,” he said with a laugh. ​“My day job is my bread and butter, but this provides me with some extra cash.” 

Greg started with socks. They come in a rainbow of colors, from ankle socks to tube socks, wool to cotton and the dreaded silk socks. As cool as his collection was, as his business grew he expanded into women’s clothing and accessories. ​“My sense of fashion made me want to do something that was out there, something that was more than the norm.” He plans to take his business full time someday.

Being around so many talented and driven small business owners made me feel like I was witnessing the future’s history unfolding. Madame C.J. Walker started out small before she became the first self-made woman millionaire, as did Daymond John, the founder of FUBU. I’m certain that sooner rather than later, I’ll be interviewing one of these entrepreneurs again as they share the news of their expansions and fabulous success. Until then, Greg has some advice for anyone looking to start their own business. 

“Timing is everything. If you have an idea, write it down and think about it. Don’t rush. The right time will come.”

NEXT

The Alvin and Beatrice Wood Human Service Center hosts ​“A Night of the Arts” on Feb. 28.

Jamil returns to one of his favorite galleries to check out some new art.

Tags: Bloomfield , small business , Black History Month