The Brown Mamas Marketplace is set to take place on Small Business Saturday in Pittsburgh. The event, organized by Muffy Mendoza, founder of Brown Mamas, Inc., aims to support Black mom-owned businesses by providing them with a space to sell their products and gain valuable entrepreneurial knowledge. Mendoza started the marketplace in 2012 when she recognized the lack of resources available for Black women entering entrepreneurship, especially for first-generation Black women business owners.
She hosted the first marketplace before the pandemic, understanding the need for a supportive space for Black mothers in business. Over time, Mendoza realized the necessity for additional resources. “I needed tips and tools on the legality of owning a business.
I needed to find an accountant,” she explained.
Brown Mamas Marketplace highlights growth
The marketplace now includes speakers, experts, and professionals like lawyers to provide essential knowledge to participants.
The event focuses on three key areas: womb, wealth, and wellness. Speakers like Tayler Clemm, who teaches about womb wellness, and Kahlil Darden will present information on holistic health and community building. Clemm expressed her excitement about sharing her knowledge on home herbal remedies for common ailments with her sisterhood.
The marketplace will feature a variety of vendors, including food, jewelry, and clothing businesses. Tanya Willson, who designs decorative bags for women’s personal care products, highlighted the challenges faced by Black-owned businesses without storefronts, stating, “It’s difficult because we’re already competing with Target and Walmart.”
The event will be held on Smithfield Street from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., with every aspect, from décor to the venue, supporting Black-owned businesses. Mendoza emphasized the importance of creating a space where moms can sell their products, be supported by the Pittsburgh community, and learn about different aspects of business.
The next Brown Mamas Marketplace is scheduled for spring 2025, with the goal of representing all different types of mom-owned businesses and helping them get the tools they need to create a community for themselves.
