YSU sponsors African Marketplace

February 7, 2016 at 12:03a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Being accused of getting fresh with someone often carries a negative connotation, but doing so is an attractive quality for Carla L. Brown.

“These make great accents for any room,” the Warren woman said, referring to her hand-crafted dolls that serve as covers for a variety of air fresheners. “The body is the air freshener itself.”

Brown and her husband, Larry Brown, run The Art of Freshness LLC, a business that specializes in making the colorful dolls that feature small baskets filled with potpourri. The Browns’ appearance also provided an attractive showcase for Saturday’s annual African Marketplace in Youngstown State University’s Kilcawley Center.

The gathering, which featured numerous items for sale and plenty of entertainment, was one of the university’s Black History Month events.

An estimated 40 vendors displayed their wares at the marketplace, which was a celebratory way to recognize and honor black people’s contributions to history, music and culture as well as another way to connect with the community, noted Dr. Tiffany Anderson, director of YSU’s African Studies program and an assistant English professor.

The dolls also come with a diverse set of hairstyles, Carla Brown explained, adding that she began her craft about 20 years ago and, after having raised her children, recently picked it up again.

“I’ve always been crafty. I guess that if it’s in you, it’s always in you,” she said.

A sampling of merchandise for sale included gold jewelry at a 50 percent discount, men’s tie sets for $12 apiece, African T-shirts with logos such as “Black Lives Matter,” sterling-silver rings, dresses, shawls, scented soaps and candles, purses, handbags, scarves, bracelets and numerous types of jewelry, including those that Deborah Whitlow of Youngstown was selling.

“I hand-make everything. I do one-of-a-kind sets,” Whitlow said, referring to how she operates Designs by Deborah, a 6-month-old business she runs from her South Side home.

Whitlow noted that she often orders her products from online wholesalers and buys others from area stores such as Jo-Ann Fabrics. On Saturday, she displayed a variety of glass beads, rhinestone crystals and acrylic and rubberized bead combinations, many of which were 20 percent off.

“All of my friends are like, ‘I can’t believe you had it in you,’” said Whitlow, who added that the African Marketplace was her first public showing.

Assisting Whitlow was Sabrina Jones, director of the Academy for Urban Scholars, an alternative school on the North Side.

Attendees experiencing difficulties in their lives and in need of a shot of inspiration likely found comfort in Antoinette M. Baker, who had on hand copies of her two books, “Mom’s Dying? Encouragement for the Journey” and “Embracing Life Changes: Praising Through Pain.”

“Mom’s Dying?” chronicles Baker’s struggles that began when her mother’s health began to fail, then talks about the loss she experienced when her mother died. It also explores ways others can effectively deal with their grief, she noted.

The second book features interviews with eight people who have undergone major life upheavals such as losing a loved one, handling a divorce or surviving a car accident. All were initially reluctant to participate in the effort, but finally agreed to share how they have worked through life-altering events, explained Baker, of Cleveland.

One of the chapters examines how a friend of Baker’s battled breast cancer, she continued.

“I encourage others to see that life is hard, but it’s what you do that makes the difference,” said Baker, who came with her sister, Melanie Brown, who was selling embroidered fingertip towels, some of which contained inspirational sayings.

Many attendees enjoyed performances by Kimberly Phillips, a dance instructor, choreographer and artistic director of the Banyan Dance Theater, which she founded about eight years ago in St. Louis.

Phillips, who recently moved to the Canton area, performed Cuban, Haitian and gospel dances. Her main goals also include using music and dance to educate and enrich communities in culture and art, as well as providing a platform for better understanding and appreciation of different cultures, Phillips said. She added that she hopes to open a dance theater in Canton.

Additional entertainment came from the Harambee Dancers of Youngstown.

Attendees also enjoyed plenty of free food courtesy of the African Studies program and YSU’s Office of Student Diversity.