The Black Student Union’s business market brought together small business owners and students from across the Twin Cities.
Byline: By Hannah Ward
The University of Minnesota’s Black Student Union (BSU) hosted a business market in February, highlighting Black small businesses—many operated by immigrants or their U.S.-born families.
The business market is one of 11 events the BSU organized for Black History Month, joined by a bake sale, career panel and Mardi Gras celebration. The Black business market held on Feb. 12 was a first, BSU board member Mahlate Belete said.
As a sophomore nursing major, Belete said she helped arrange the event in Bruininks Hall as an opportunity to showcase Black talent.
“We have so many people who do so many things,” Belete said. “It’s a great way for students who want to use their money, want to buy something, to benefit someone else.”
Most members on BSU’s board are first- and second-generation immigrants from East and West Africa, Belete said.
Belete, whose parents were born in Ethiopia, joined BSU shortly after coming to the university and found friends through BSU events and working as a cultural awareness intern before joining the board.
Freshman Mira Erenna, a marketing and public relations intern for BSU, showed up early to help set up.
“I feel like as BSU, we need to support Black businesses and use our resources to help each other out,” Erenna said.
Erenna, whose parents emigrated from Ethiopia, said she joined BSU to connect with the Black community at the University.
Sophomore Solina Semie, who was born in Ethiopia, said she was drawn to the event for the representation it offers during Black History Month.
“It brings people together and gives attention to those who might not have it because they’re not big businesses,” Semie said.
Alongside current University students, vendors included community members, friends and siblings of BSU members. The event was advertised on BSU’s Instagram to its 4,000 followers, Belete said.
Elementary school teacher and author Nasra Noor sold signed copies of her book, “My Mommy is a School Teacher,” at the business market.
Noor immigrated to the United States from Africa and raised four children before pursuing a career in education and writing a children’s book on her experience.
Noor said the business market was a platform to share stories.
“If you don’t share your story, who’s going to find out?” Noor said.
Roseville Area High School senior Mirembe Muledhu brought cookies and other baked goods to the event, a hobby she undertook as a seventh grader during the pandemic.
Muledhu discovered the business market through her sister, who had been in BSU during her time at the University. Her mother emigrated from South Africa and her father from Uganda. She called the business market “an empowering opportunity for Black businesses,” especially ones that don’t get highlighted.
“Shout us out, you know?” Muledhu said. “This is a great space, very supportive community.”