Black business advocate GIFT wraps holiday markets to close visibility gap for entrepreneurs

Kharissa Parker, Kansas City G.I.F.T.

The holiday shopping season offers many retail-focused entrepreneurs a gift of their own, said Kharissa Parker, describing opportunities for emerging Black business owners to meet customers in-person at events like Kansas City G.I.F.T.’s Small Business Saturday Black Business Market.

“Sometimes, actually getting products in front of people is a tough challenge for small business owners — especially those who are just getting started or just starting to see some growth,” explained Parker, a longtime TV personality who now serves as senior marketing director for G.I.F.T. “Even if they have amazing products, they may not have the resources to open a storefront or heavily invest in marketing quite yet.”

G.I.F.T. expects 150 to 300 shoppers at its Small Business Saturday Black Business Market, which is planned for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 28 at the nonprofit’s 5008 Prospect Ave. headquarters.

Click here to register for the free holiday market.

“Our market events bridge that visibility gap by allowing business owners to introduce their products to new customers, make some money, and potentially build relationships that could lead to future opportunities,” Parker continued.

About 40 vendors are expected to offer a variety of products — ranging from apparel, jewelry, and artwork to food and unique holiday gifts.

A second holiday shopping event is planned for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 12 at the KC G.I.F.T. Business Center — giving Kansas City another opportunity to discover local Black-owned businesses and boost the entrepreneurs behind them, Parker said.

“You don’t have to be Black to support Black businesses,” she continued. “In fact, I believe when we’re talking about our mission of closing the racial wealth gap, that’s something anyone in Kansas City can be a part of and buying Black is part of that strategy.”

“What I love about our markets is that they make shopping intentionally a lot easier,” she added, noting the convenience of finding dozens of Black-owned businesses in one place.

Black Santa poses with children at a previous Kansas City G.I.F.T. holiday market event; photo courtesy of KC G.I.F.T.

Launched in 2020, KC G.I.F.T. works to dismantle the systemic barriers that have historically excluded Black entrepreneurs from pathways to wealth and ownership. By investing in Black-owned businesses east of Troost, the nonprofit helps to transform communities shaped by systemic disinvestment into thriving centers of innovation, ownership, and pride, the organization said.

That mission extends to representation — whether in the faces of business owners or the most iconic holiday characters, Parker said, detailing plans for a Black Santa to join the Dec. 12 festivities for a free photo session with families at the G.I.F.T. Wrapped Holiday Retail Market.

“Little Black boys and girls deserve to experience the magic of Christmas by seeing a Santa who looks like them,” she said. “When I was growing up, my Aunt Charlesetta had a Black Santa Claus statue outside of her house. I remember how much I loved going over there and how it made me feel inside when I would see it. I didn’t have the words for it then, but as an adult I realize that representation really did something for my confidence, feeling included, and even what I believed was possible for myself.”

“I also think there’s something really touching about seeing kids who aren’t Black embracing Black Santa and I commend the moms and dads who are intentional about making sure their kids have those experiences,” Parker continued. “When Black Santa is part of their childhood memories, too, it has the power to bring the next generation together, curb racism, and help our communities and our country be a better place to live.”