Black Culture Market

Great place to showcase your business. The team are incredible and are super helpful, can’t wait to trade with them again

Am I going insane or is this completely racist? Not all people born in Africa are black yet it is a specific requirement for application that you must be black to sell products at this market? I could understand if this was purely a cultural market but specifically defining the skin colour of people that are allowed to trade in an area is shocking and quite frankly I find this extremely offensive and discriminatory. I will send a request to the local MP to follow this event with a 'non-black culture market' which does not request a certain skin colour for authorisation to sell products. Although, considering this was deemed acceptable I will assume that it is justified to say that applicants wishing to sell products can NOT be of Black African or Caribbean descent & heritage (everyone else is clearly welcome).

As a local and someone who has attended the Black Culture Market in Brixton multiple times before, I’ve always appreciated the opportunity to support Black-owned businesses and connect with my community. Today, however, I had an experience that left me completely shocked and disappointed. I came with genuine intentions to shop, connect, and promote these incredible businesses on my own platform. As an organiser myself, I understand the importance of visibility, opportunity, and community. I really wanted to use my voice to uplift and spotlight Black entrepreneurs. I believed this market was a place where we could support each other, grow together, and build something positive. After purchasing a few items, I began networking and exchanging contact details with some stallholders as I’ve done before with no issue. But today, I was suddenly approached by a woman who seemed to be an organiser. Without any courtesy or professionalism, she pointed at me with her fingers and told me to come out in front of everyone. Her tone was rude, cold, and accusatory. I have never in my life been spoken to in such a humiliating and disrespectful way. I calmly explained that I would stop sharing my contacts and simply continue looking around and supporting other vendors. But she continued to follow me all the way to the door, making the situation even more uncomfortable and unnecessary. As a proud African who genuinely came with love, support, and the goal of uplifting the community, I felt completely disrespected and even discriminated against in a space that is supposed to feel like home. This is not my first time at the market and I’ve never had this issue before. That’s why I was so taken aback. I honestly don’t know what else to say, other than I’m deeply disappointed and shocked. No one should be treated like that especially not in a space built to celebrate us. I hope the organisers will reflect on how they interact with attendees, particularly those coming in with nothing but goodwill and support.