Illustration courtesy of Mika Cook-Wright.
On Feb. 19th, Unity House will be hosting its first-ever Unity House Market event at Connecticut College. Created by the Race and Ethnicity Community Engagement team, made up of Aquib Akhtar ‘22, Elizabeth Lopez ‘22, Hannah Gonzalez ‘23, and Mika Cook-Wright ‘22, the event will run from 12-3. The team is also supported by Maurice Tiner ‘17 Director of Race and Ethnicity Programs and Unity House Program Coordinator Dulmarie Irizrarry. The first hour will be specifically devoted to on-campus BIPOC student entrepreneurs having an opportunity to connect with alumni. Tanaya Cardenlaes ‘17 will be the event’s featured speaker. “We wanted to incorporate an alum because they’re an important part of our community, and we want to merge these two community groups of students and alumni,” Lopez said. Cardenlaes was chosen for her success as a social media entrepreneur and will open the event by giving advice to the student entrepreneurs virtually.
From 1-3, the event will be open to the entire campus community. “We worked with the Race and Ethnicity program in Unity House and came up with the event during a brainstorming session for the spring semester,” Lopez continued. “We noticed how many students had their own small businesses and saw alumni advertising their businesses in Facebook groups for students of color and it helped us draw inspiration for a space to support these on-campus entrepreneurs.”
The team worked on plans for the event through the end of the fall semester and over winter break, as well as in the early weeks of the spring. “Unfortunately, the ever-present pandemic has caused many traditions and programs to be significantly altered not only at Conn, but for many institutions of higher education. Alternatively, it has pushed us to find new and exciting opportunities to create in collaboration with others. The Unity Market is a by-product of that creativity. We are excited to cultivate an intentional space to promote entrepreneurship, especially for communities where access to a large number of consumers may be challenging. The Unity Market will bring current students and local alumni [safely] together at the historic Unity House to sell fantastic products. Who knows, we may have the next multi-million dollar product right in our midst.” said Tiner.
There will be twelve featured student businesses at the market with students representing all current class years and alumni from the class of 2020, Jennifer Rojas, and from 19990, Dorriel Larrier . These businesses and entrepreneurs range from photographers, jewelry and clothing designers and stores, hot sauce makers, film production businesses, and more.
One BIPOC student entrepreneur, Jocelyn Pinero ‘24 runs Josie’s Closet, a modern thrift store that sells preloved clothing, shoes, and accessories on campus, and is looking forward to being featured at the market. “Honestly, I’m very excited to attend the event! I had the idea to create a thrift store for many years, but I immersed myself in doubt, thinking that I wasn’t good enough to start up a business. With a gentle push from close friends and family, I built the courage to start up Josie’s Closet last semester, during my sophomore year as a pop-up shop in front of Cro. There was a great turnout and many people asked me when I was going to have another one! The market is a space for students of color, who strive to be entrepreneurs, to connect with BIPOC alumni who also are entrepreneurs. This space would not only provide insights on how to become a POC entrepreneur during and after college, but it will also provide a space for my small business to gain some love and attention!”
The team promoted the event through posters made by Cook Wright shared on social media platforms, ConnQuest, and across on-campus spaces. “I think that what we’re trying to create is a space of solidarity and support and create a space for [students] to get exposure and knowledge,” Lopez concluded.
Stop by on Feb 19th. and support some of Conn’s BIPOC entrepreneurs.
