‘I found my place:’ Chesterfield vendor fair celebrates Black entrepreneurs for Black History Month

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- As part of Black History Month celebrations, Chesterfield Parks and Recreation hosted a vibrant vendor fair on Saturday in collaboration with the Richmond Night Market that spotlighted Black entrepreneurs.

The event featured more than 40 vendors and offered a diverse array of goods, from handcrafted jewelry and luxury body products to homemade cupcakes and crochet dolls. More than just a marketplace, the event was a celebration of Black culture, creativity and community.

The fair, now in its second year, aimed to uplift and empower Black business owners while connecting them with the community. Live music set the tone for a lively and welcoming atmosphere as vendors showcased their work, shared their personal journeys and built connections with customers and fellow entrepreneurs.

For Kayla Moses, the founder of Louō Whale, a luxury bath and body care brand, the event was an opportunity to not only introduce her products to new customers but also to support and be inspired by other Black business owners. She specializes in body butter and honey lavender body oil, both of which she says are made with love and intention.

"I'm excited to be out here amongst not just Black businesses, but Black women and Black men who are putting their passion projects out into the world," Moses said.

She also emphasized the sense of camaraderie among vendors, noting how important it is to be in an environment where small business owners uplift and encourage one another.

"Sometimes there's that fear when you put yourself out there because you're intimidated by others who have been doing this for a while," Moses said. "But that's not the energy here. The energy here is that everybody is supportive, everybody came out. I feel like I'm in the right place—I have found my space and place right here."

For many vendors, their work is about more than just business -- it’s about self-expression, empowerment and legacy. Arlene Nelson, founder of Arlene's Accessories, has been creating handmade jewelry for 20 years and says her mission goes beyond fashion.

"I absolutely love what I do," Nelson said. "I love people, and I love to see people expressing themselves through Arlene’s Accessories."

Each of her handcrafted pieces is unique, made with no set pattern, allowing her creativity to lead the way.

"It's just wherever my mind is going and my hands are moving when creating," Nelson said. "So, you never know what you're going to come up with."

Beyond the individual businesses, the event served as a reminder of the importance of supporting Black entrepreneurship and recognizing the talent within the local community. Events like these provide not only economic opportunities for Black-owned businesses but also platforms for storytelling, creativity and cultural preservation.

Chesterfield County has several more Black History Month events planned for the rest of this month, continuing its commitment to honoring and supporting Black businesses and culture.