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African market at YSU offers art, apparel and entertainment
By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK
YOUNGSTOWN
Every year, the Chestnut Room in Kilcawley Center at Youngstown State University transforms into an African marketplace.
Vendors fill tables with African items, traditional music can be heard and dancers perform authentic routines.
The event is an opportunity for people who don’t normally have the chance to sample or purchase traditional African items to do so, said Dr. Victor Wan-Tatah, director of Africana Studies at YSU.
Items for sale Saturday included art objects, Afrocentric writings, jewelry, clothing and perfume oils.
The event also is a place for community members to connect, Wan-Tatah said.
“It’s an opportunity for people in the community to network, and to also come to appreciate and learn what’s going on in the community,” he said.
Sandra Cannon of Youngstown attends every year.
“I enjoy the vendors, and I enjoy the atmosphere and the dancers and the entertainment,” she said.
She found items she was interested in purchasing.
“I’m looking for a belt right now, a leopard belt,” she said. “And there’s a purse that I’m after, so I’m going over to see about it.”
She also was interested in some of the jewelry on sale.
“Most of the jewelry you see here, you don’t find any other place. And it really accents your outfit,” Cannon said.
Sally Hawkins of Youngstown also attends every year.
“It’s a tradition I do every year,” Hawkins said. “They have nice things.”
She likes to support the event. This year, she admired the clothing.
“Generally, something like this I have to order out of an order book,” she said about one garment.
She brought her granddaughter Taylor Hawkins, 16, of Youngstown with her for the first time. She purchased shea butter.
“You really can’t find it at any stores, like Walmart, so it’s good to get it here,” she said.
About 30 vendors participated, down from a typical 40 to 60, said Wan-Tatah.
“I think the bad weather in different parts of the country affected the number of vendors that showed up,” he said.
Carla Brown, owner of The Art of Freshness, Warren, participated for the first time.
“I’m doing pretty good today,” she said. “It’s a nice show. It’s a good show to get your business out and get your name out.”
She filled her table with a variety of dolls in traditional African dress that function as covers for air fresheners.
“This is my own creation,” she said about the handmade items.
Entertainment was provided by Harambee dancers.
“They are always a dynamic, active, lively group made up of young people in Youngstown who have learned the art of dancing and singing and celebrating African culture in ways that are really authentic,” said Wan-Tatah.
This is the 14th year for the event.