Na’ilah Lockhart / Arizona Sonoran News

What started as a spontaneous idea between two local creatives has grown into a vibrant community event aimed at uplifting Black-owned businesses and creating space for connection.

Blk House Mrkt will host its fourth event—and the first under this name—on April 26 from noon to 5 p.m. at Z Street International Marketplace.

BHM began in late 2022 when local creators Hailey Dukart and Sharly Scannell saw a need for more accessible spaces for Black-owned businesses in Tucson.

In February 2023, they organized their first Making Black History Market with the help of a local artist. After just two months of planning, the event was a success, sparking the growth of a regular community gathering.

This year’s market is more than just shopping. It blends a day-party vibe with a vendor fair, featuring DJs Mother Tierra and Menopause the DJ, food, music, raffles, and Black-owned businesses throughout the venue. It’s a party with a purpose—a celebration of culture and community, Dukart said.

“We wanted to create a third space, somewhere you can count on, where you’re welcome, where you can connect, thrive, and just exist outside of work or home,” Dukart said. “I grew up here, and I consistently didn’t see spaces like that for Black people. When I moved to Atlanta, I realized they were everywhere, and that’s what inspired me to create this.”

Scannell said the vision has always centered on supporting Black entrepreneurs. She believes providing space for these businesses is important for the community.

“We wanted to create more space and platforms for Black-owned businesses,” she said.

This year, the market is expanding its mission to include a focus on education and empowerment.

“We’re excited to partner with ‘How to Be Black Women in Progress,’ a nonprofit focused on supporting Black girls in STEM,” Scannell said. “We’ll be raffling off four $50 gift cards, with all proceeds going toward covering a girl’s registration fee.”

That mission continues to resonate with returning vendors who see the market as both a business opportunity and a celebration of community.

Keysha Donald, founder of Smells Like Dessert Candles, returns to BHM this month with new products, including cleaning supplies and laundry detergent.

Known for her fragrant candles, Donald offers a variety of scented products that bring a unique touch to everyday essentials, continuing to expand her collection for customers.

“I’ve always loved sweet scents, and after not finding my favorite brownie batter candle, I decided to make my own,” she said.

Reflecting on last year’s market, Donald described it as “uplifting and full of good vibes.” She said it was a great opportunity for people to come together and support each other.

“Being around my people, supporting Black-owned businesses and seeing the community come together is what I’m most excited about,” she said.

As the team looks beyond the April event, Scannell said their vision for BHM extends far beyond the events they’ve already created.

“We want this to be a place where people can come together to redefine and create accessibility for the Black community here,” she said. “Even if we’re not here, I want the legacy of Blk House Mrkt to live on, a place where people know they’re welcome.”

The pair is already thinking big and looking at ways to expand Blk House's footprint in the community.

“Ultimately, we want to establish a space where we can sponsor businesses and host larger events that bring big names and big energy to Tucson. Let’s bring the festivals here, for us and by us,” Dukart added.

Z Street International Marketplace, the venue for the event, is also a key supporter of Blk House Mrkt’s mission.

“We are honored to be the home of the Blk House Mkt. Z Street was born from a vision where family meets community, and this event is exactly that. Tucson is full of beautiful and creative people, and we can’t wait to see the magic that is Blk House Mkt,” said the Gebremariam family, owners of Z Street.

Blk House Mrkt is a movement aimed at building a lasting community and supporting Black entrepreneurs in Tucson. As it grows, the founders are focused on creating a space where future generations can thrive and connect.

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.

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