When the coronavirus pandemic forced everyone to go on lockdown, three young Black millennials and Miami-natives decided to bring a vision to life.

Sydra Withers, Jasmine Anderson, and Fred Porter started The Hue Collective: a nonprofit that allows people to come together to collaborate, create, and provide opportunities within communities of color throughout South Miami-Dade. 

From that nonprofit, the three friends decided to take things further by creating the Black Market MIA. It’s the only outdoor market in South Miami-Dade dedicated to the culture. The first market was just held in October 2020 and has quickly become the go-to-venue where visitors can find Black-owned goods and services in the Richmond Heights neighborhood.

“When we were coming up with this idea and putting all the details together, we realized that these kind of events are more frequent in North Miami than the South,” said Porter. “You don’t see these kind of opportunities for Black people in South Miami-Dade […] and the response from the community has truly been amazing.”

The market provides local Black entrepreneurs a shared space and opportunity to sell their one and services, reach new customers, and enjoy an atmosphere of unity and camaraderie between our local Black communities. 

The market currently features more than 20 food craft vendors, a DJ, and more.

The market is held once a month from 11 A.M. to 4 P.M. in The Richmond Heights community on the vacant lot between Lincoln Blvd. and Dunbar Drive.

As for what’s next for the three founders of the market, they have plans to create more opportunities to support Black-owned businesses beyond Miami-Dade.

“We want to to be a hub for Black-owned businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs,” said Porter. “We want to eventually help educate Black-owned businesses about financial capital opportunities, as well as human and social capital opportunities to help them succeed.”

For more information on market dates, visit thehuecollectivemia.org.