A Busy Summer for New Bedford's Buy Black NB

Justina Perry is certainly making her mark in New Bedford's African American and Cape Verdean communities.

Perry is the founder of Buy Black NB, an online directory of minority-owned businesses in our region.

Perry called in to Townsquare Sunday this week, and said her website now has more than 200 listings of Black and Brown-owned businesses in Southeastern Massachusetts.

Perry said the past two years have been a wonderful experience.

"I had very little business knowledge when I started, but I've met a lot of people and I'm learning a lot through this process," she said.

Buy Black NB via Facebook

Over the next two months, Buy Black NB will sponsor three vendor markets, giving those businesses the opportunity to introduce their products to consumers who otherwise might not know about them.

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Perry said the first mini-market this month will take place at 12 noon on Saturday, June 11 on the PavilIon at West Beach, as part of the 20mi2 Festival. Perry said 10 vendors will be on hand, plus entertainment and much more.

The second vendor market will take place on Sunday, June 19, the Juneteenth holiday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rotch Jones Duff House off County Street. There will be live entertainment, children's activities, raffles, and free admission.

The third mini-market will happen on Thursday, July 14 as part of AHA Night in Downtown New Bedford.

"The theme for the night is 'Kids Rule,' and we've been wanting to do a a youth vendor market for awhile," Perry said. "We're hosting youth vendors from ages 12 to 18 and they will all have a product to sell."

She said the night will focus on family fun, music, and shopping.

The complete interview with Justina Perry of Buy Black NB can be heard here:

Townsquare Sunday is a weekly public affairs program heard Sunday mornings at 6 and 11 a.m. on 1420 AM and 99.5 FM.

The program spotlights individuals and organizations seeking to make the SouthCoast a better place to live and work.

If you would like your organization featured on Townsquare Sunday, please e-mail the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.

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