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DULUTH — More than 35 local businesses will feature their skills, resources and talents during the fourth-annual
Northland Black, Indigenous and People of Color Business Showcase
on Saturday.
The event is from 1-5 p.m. at the St. Louis County Depot, 506 W. Michigan St. It will also have a fashion show, food, a live podcast, a 360-degree photo booth, dancing entertainment, a vaccine clinic and more.
It is open to the public and free to attend. The first 100 guests will receive a free reusable shopping bag.
The showcase, which takes place each year during Black History Month, was founded by Kia Ronning to uplift BIPOC-owned businesses. Instead of focusing on the challenges experienced by this community, the event aims to highlight its accomplishments, according to Ronning.
“Having this event really brings a light to the community with the businesses that we have. Before this event, I didn’t know of a lot of Black and BIPOC businesses,” Ronning said. “This is an event everyone really looks forward to as a sense of joy, community and entrepreneurship.”
Ronning serves as missions support coordinator for
and is board secretary for
in addition to owning a small Superior-based arts and crafts store called
Under her direction,
Northland BIPOC Business Showcase
has grown from 10 vendors in its first year to more than 35.
This year, about 15 volunteers worked to put the event together, and the Depot donated the space. An increase in sponsorship support has enabled more marketing than in years past, according to Ronning.
“We are just packed in there,” Ronning said. “It’s just exploded more than I could even imagine, which means that businesses are excited for this event because they want to be a part of it to show what they have. Also, we’ve really built up the community by having this event so people feel comfortable coming to it.”
Ronning hopes that budding entrepreneurs can walk away with the confidence that they can start up a business. In the future, organizers would like to form an official nonprofit. This would help raise funds to provide BIPOC-owned businesses with scholarships for other events where vendor fees may be a barrier.
“We’re really entrepreneur-focused and inclusive of everyone who wants to be a part of it,” Ronning said.
Businesses will be selling a variety of items, from health and beauty products to clothing and jewelry. Food options will include Twin Ports vendors Howard’s Que, Superior Waffles and Cheesecake and Co. Booths will feature community resources ranging from health equity to entrepreneurship to accounting.
“There’s so many good things that all of our vendors have to offer,” Ronning said. “We have something for everyone in the community.”
LUKS Beauty Supply, Photo Booth
Owned by Junior Gregory and Tammy Moll,
has participated in the Northland BIPOC Business Showcase since its inception. It offers a large selection of wigs, extensions, hair pieces and braiding, as well as hair products, lashes, hair/nail accessories and piercing jewelry.
Contributed / Junior Gregory
LUKS Photo Booth was established in May 2022. Its 360 Spin Video booth will be available during Saturday’s event.
“This is a super important event to have in the Northland. The community needs to be aware of all the hard-working, talented BIPOC business owners out here and shop with them or utilize their services,” said Gregory.
The beauty supply store, previously located downtown, reopened in its new location at 5628 Grand Ave. on July 6.
Maji ya Chai Land Sanctuary
Maji ya Chai Land Sanctuary is a nature-based healing retreat centering on BIPOC relations across generations.
Based in Two Harbors, the nonprofit organization was formed by Rebeka Ndosi in 2020. For nearly two decades, Ndosi has served as a holistic health practitioner. She also describes herself as a healer, teacher, public speaker, author and community coach.
In the sanctuary’s first year attending the event, Ndosi said her staff are excited about the networking opportunities.
“I am Tanzanian-American, born and raised in Minnesota, and feel a strong connection to gichigami as it has amazing similarities to the second-largest lake on the planet (Ukewere/Lake Victoria), much of which is in Tanzania. I look forward to building bridges between both places and peoples,” Ndosi said.
Attending the showcase for the second year is Trish Jones, owner of Indigenously Divine. Jones finds that being a vendor at such events is encouraging, empowering, uplifting and life-changing.
Contributed / Trish Jones
“I have always had a dream of owning my own business,” Jones said. “I like to show expression, whether it’s through my music or decorating my home. Making candles opened up a new level for me. Then came the soaps, and I soared from there.”
Since launching from Jones’ home kitchen in 2020, Indigenously Divine has offered soy candles and wax melts; vegan bath and body washes and lotions; a variety of natural-base soap bars, aromatherapy options, car freshener clips, bath bombs and more.
Jones has a goal to have her own shop soon.
“As a member of the BIPOC community, I notice people look at what we do as just a side hustle. What many fail to realize is that for most of us, this is our dream. This is our potential to make it out,” Jones said. “My children are impacted to the point they all want to start businesses. I always say this is a small business to some, but for me, this is big.”
Joining Jones at the event is her 10-year-old daughter, who will sell her own Shine Em’NY scented lip gloss.
Returning to the event again to serve up specialty waffles this year are Cal Harris and his wife, Natalie Harris, owners of
“This is a great event for BIPOC businesses to show their services and crafts to the community. It’s a great way for the community to learn about BIPOC businesses and to show their support, which can bridge the racial wealth gap, leading to racial equity,” Cal Harris said.
Contributed / Superior Waffles
Their fast-casual restaurant opened in July 2021 at 1412 Tower Ave., Superior.
“As an African American restaurant owner, I embody resilience, community and cultural pride. My heritage is reflected in the quality and authenticity of our restaurant, and we strive to create a welcoming space where all are welcome,” Cal Harris said.
Blessing Royal Collection
Returning for the fourth showcase is Jasmine (Styles) Flowers, owner of
Blessing Royal Collection LLC.
Contributed / Blessing Royal Collection LLC.
“I love my culture. I love being a Black woman. For me, my heritage has shaped my values, my personality, my goals and much more,” Flowers said. “It’s about our ethnic roots, of course, but it also includes cultural teachings and personal experiences. It’s about who you are and where you have come from to get to where you are today.”
Located at 4891 Miller Trunk Highway, Blessing Royal Collection offers hair products, wigs, bundles, lashes and clothing, in addition to various hair services and a course on teaching braids.
Fine Event Design owner Carmen Wendland entered the industry 15 years ago. She became accredited through the IWed Designer Course and got a start in residential and commercial lighting. Later, Wendland started a home-based business focused on event planning, consultation and decor rental throughout the Twin Ports.
This year is the first time Wendland has participated in the showcase, where she hopes to gain prospective customers.
Also participating in the showcase for the first time is Peak Behavioral Health, owned by Porsche Peak Gordon and her husband, Boris Gordin. Peak has two Minnesota locations in Little Canada and St. Cloud. All its services are offered virtually.
Gordon has worked in many sectors of the mental health field for nearly 15 years. Her mental health practice started in 2018. Gordon has grown her team to include an outpatient program of mental health and medication providers and an internship training program.
“As a Black woman, this platform is that much more imperative because when seeking this type of support for the very first time or the 10th time, it is necessary to see people who look like you, who share and/or understand your experiences as you talk through very delicate topics,” Gordon said.
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