Missed My People’s Market? You Can Still Support Local, Minority-Owned Businesses

Portland, Oregon is a great place to live if you like supporting local, minority-owned businesses. Thanks to events like My People’s Market, our city’s becoming an even better place to live for supporting and providing opportunities to local entrepreneurs of color.

My People’s Market, which took place earlier in November, featured nearly 100 local multicultural vendors, as well as live music and great food (because what would a Portland gathering be without the food?) It wasn’t your typical market, more of a festival, a party, and a vibrant gathering put together by Travel Portland, Partners in Diversity, Prosper Portland, and the Mercatus Collective. The event celebrated local businesses and provided networking opportunities for business owners of color.

We here at Grady Britton were honored to be a sponsor of My People’s Market, and we’re looking forward to supporting the future connection opportunities that Mercatus and Proper Portland’s Inclusive Business Resource Network already have planned.

If you missed My People’s Market, you didn’t miss your chance to support local, minority-owned businesses. You can check out some of the highlights below—and click on any of the links we’ve included here to learn more about each brand.

(PS – Consider this blog post our holiday shopping guide!)

Local business: Hue Noir Cosmetics

What it is: A local makeup brand built with multicultural women in mind. They offer 25 shades of foundation!

Learn more: huenoir.com

 

Local business: Amaree & Reese Jewelry

What it is: Handcrafted jewelry inspired by the owners’ “love of geometric shapes, raw metals and semi-precious stones.”

Learn more: amareeandreese.com

 

Local business: seewhyzhang

What it is: Self-taught artist Cathy Zhang’s shop for her gorgeous watercolor illustrations—great baby gift ideas here.

Learn more: seewhyzhang.com

 

Local business: Royalty Spirits

What it is: The first West Coast liquor company owned and operated by a black woman. Look for REX Whiskey and Miru Vodka in stores.

Learn more: rex-whiskey.com

 

Local business: With Love from PDX

What it is: A custom gifting company that offers locally sourced, handmade goods.

Learn more: withlovefrompdx.com

 

Local business: MexiRican

What it is: A cocktail bar and bartending service that seeks to “reinvent a non-alcoholic Piña Colada,” by “mixing the original Caribbean Piña Colada with organic bananas and/or local blueberries.” And yes, they offer drinks in hollowed-out pineapples.

Learn more: facebook.com/pg/mexiricanpinacolada

 

Local business: Midred’s Sweet Treats

What it is: A one-of-a-kind bakery, owned by Mildred Winters Jackson, who makes an amazing sweet potato pie.

Learn more: facebook.com/pg/mildredwintersjackson

 

What local, minority-owned businesses would you like more people to support? Share your favorite brands with us on Twitter or Facebook. We’ll continue updating this list as suggestions come in!