Black Market Flea: LA’s Expression of Black Culture
Source: @sage.sage.sage.sage.sage.sage on Instagram
Market Overview
The welcoming gathering of black owned businesses occurs every third Sunday of the month and sells tickets for just 10 dollars. The refreshing experience includes a live DJ and a full bar which evidently leads to dancing and unforgettable fun. The positive energy from the event can only be found at your neighborhood block parties and family reunions which is the ultimate goal. Founder Mayah Hatcher currently resides in the LA area, and often presents the vending opportunities to local black businesses to help kickstart their sales. Its debut was less than a year ago back in June but it’s already making such a large impact on her community. After existing for three months, the amount of vendors nearly tripled and continue to grow.
Founder Bio/Background
Mayah Hatcher, who just celebrated her 24th birthday, founded and curates the monthly event showcasing the emergence of black businesses and creatives. Mayah grew up in Phoenix and had a close relationship with her family and other creatives in the area. Through this, she participated in various community gathering opportunities to help bring people together. In 2020, Hatcher moved to Los Angeles to pursue her modeling career and her other creative interests. In the same year, she opened up her own 2000’s themed thrift store and was even a vendor at a local flea market. However, Mayah was one of the few black business owners there and didn’t feel the appreciation she felt as if she deserved. The saying “if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself” perfectly describes Mayah’s experience and her motivator to make something “bigger than me”.
Moments from Black Market Flea
Source: @blackmarketflea on Instagram
Highlights
Louis LIV
Proud Los Angeles native Louis Brown expresses deep pride for his city through various creative outlets. Some of his best work includes his one-of-a-kind, handmade LA street sign rugs.
gōld·märh
The brand’s name has a West African origin meaning “Gold Woman”. The Sacramento, CA brand’s merchandise has everything from wallets to clothes handmade in Senegal, West Africa
BYLANEYACHRISTINE
The 22-year-old designer/model/stylist starting reworking and creating handmade garments since 2019. Christine’s leap of faith in the fashion industry has allowed her to express her creativity through her fun, bright collections.
Soleil Monét
“Soleil Monet is a vintage home decor shop based in LA, that provides vintage vessels for modern spaces. We encourage a sustainable approach to interior decorating, by utilizing unique pieces that have stood the test of time.” -Dendwell
Cranes
“At Cranes we’re here to create and produce a consistent high quality product that inspires and brings communities of all walks of life together. Cranes stands for creativity reigns above and negative energy subsides, which highlights our core values, positively creating without limitation. In a world filled with such turmoil, our mission is for our products to inspire through lifestyle, culture and creativity.”
-Cranes About Us Page
Zevelyn Jean
“ZVJ was created to empower individuals to embrace their uniqueness and embody the qualities that inspire them to live out loud. Our adornments evoke the freedom of self-expression, confidence & authority.”
-ZVJ’s About the Designer Page
Selah Bakery
Selah provides plant-based baked goods made with other organic ingredients. Bakery founder Rochelle aims to provide her community with delicious goods that are on the healthy side but still satisfy one’s sweet tooth.
Kristian Kane
The Queens fashion designer created the eponymous brand that is centered around making streetwear luxurious. His first collection “27 Club” pays tribute to the dark and intriguing history of rock n’ roll. Music has always been a huge part in his fashion endeavors.
Edited by Kieryn Alexander
