Yum! Nothing tastes as good as black business success. I just love to see my brothers & sisters representing entrepreneurially, doing their thing, selling innovative, creative products. Fairs and expos are my favorites--I can't always make them, though--but if I'm not there, one or several of my girls are attending with the same enthusiasm.My friend Michelle in D.C. attended the National Black Luv Festival there yesterday, and she saw lots of great things. Here, in her own words, are some of what she experienced & bought, along with the business links. Check 'em out 'n support!-------------------------------------------------------National Black Luv Festival: http://www.blackluvfest.info/index2.htmI purchased a clarifying hair rinse and soothing scalp healer and rebuilder from this company. The products are supposed to work well for people with severe dandruff and/or dermatitis and other skin conditions, such as me.http://www.adivanatural.com/I bought some whipped, pomegranate scent shea butter from this company. It smelled so good I wanted to spread it on toast and eat it. Yum. Instead, I've settled for rubbing the shea butter on my arm and sniffing my arm instead. For 15% off your first order, use coupon code: FLY02.http://www.azizaBeautySupply.comI purchased a tee-shirt and poster from this company. They have a comic book coming out in a few weeks. Their products focus on empowering young girls of color. The company slogan is: "You weren't meant to fit in. You were made to stand out." That's dope.http://www.SupremeJustyce.com/This is the sister who created my purse. Her name is Leigh.http://www.myspace.com/thecosmicseedsIn addition to her MySpace page, she can be contacted at:(410) 963-7907 or thecosmicseeds@yahoo.comThis brother was selling similar bags and purses. His were a bit pricier but nice as well.http://www.myspace.com/patrickpayne_srHe said to check out the Slide presentation on the site so you can see his work. Here's the rest of his contact info:Forever UnlimitedPatrick Payne, Designer(240) 432-7243forever_unltd@yahoo.comI got a copy of the magazine (Words, Beats & Life) published by this organization and the content is incredible. The organization is a youth arts and empowerment organization and publishes the journal twice a year (or may be it's four times a year). Either way, they're looking for contributors—creative, journalism, academic, etc.http://www.wblinc.org/This husband and wife team had some of the most scrumptious natural body products I've ever smelled. They make a full body foaming soap that is amazing. You rub it in like lotion and lather up and viola—soft, supple, smooth, vibrant skin. The wife has Lupus so the ingredients are all natural—no animal fat or harsh chemicals. The soap can be used from head to toe. It rinses clean out of your locs too.http://www.zuresh.com/eclectix%2Dhome/bodybutters/The husband is a fabric designer as well: http://www.symplysl.com/eclectix%2Dhome/pillows/Other vendors who had some amazing products (I had to watch my funds and couldn't buy everything I wanted):Phoenix Cultural Variety: http://www.phoenixrecordsandtapes.com/splash.aspJah Cultural Accessories and Clothing (earrings, tee-shirts, jewelry, etc.)Kim Y. Bey, (301) 646-2005, ladypoetkb@aol.com orZiah Ayubu, (301) 642-1379, ziah86@yahoo.comSubstance Clothing for the Mind—"You have form. You may have function. But…Do you have purpose?"—www.substanceone.com.Youth and community empowerment organizations:HABESHA, Inc.http://www.habeshainc.org/Malcolm X Grassroots Movementhttp://mxgm.org/web/
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