New ACRES community creators marketplace spotlights goods from Black-owned businesses
August is National Black Business Month, recognized in honor of the contributions being made by Black entrepreneurs across the country. But the organizers behind the twice-monthly Buy Black Marketplace in Phoenix, who recently opened a permanent location for Black business owners and their goods, celebrate those contributions every day of the year.
Archwood Exchange, conceived in 2016 and officially put in motion in 2017 by four entrepreneurs, has been bringing Black business owners together on a regular basis as a means of creating a supportive community and a safe proving ground for those hoping to start their own business. Participants have said the Buy Black Marketplace, featuring up to 30 businesses at every event, is an ideal space to see if an idea for a business could actually work.
And now, with the launch of ACRES — a non-profit, brick-and-mortar cooperative marketplace featuring goods made and prepared by Black business owners — that effort has a more permanent, consistent presence for those looking to support or join the Black business community.
Founders of Archwood Exchange
“Opening the new ACRES storefront is just another opportunity for us to profile Valley businesses who are making a difference in the community," Henry Dickerson, one of the co-founders of Archwood Exchange and ACRES, said.
Statistics from 2019 indicate that the purchasing power of Black Arizonans exceeds $11 billion. Nationally, Black-owned businesses generate more than $206 billion in revenue, according to census data. And, Black business ownership is on the rise, increasing by nearly 30% compared to pre-pandemic levels according to some industry statistics.
As for Archwood’s impact, its model has successfully incubated more than 200 Black-owned businesses since its launch, one of which includes the Diaspora Collective — a female-owned business that imports African goods. What began with participation in the Buy Black Marketplace has blossomed into a stand-alone marketplace in Heritage Square.
Parshé Johnson, Sugar Star Sweet Treats
Parshé Johnson, owner of Sugar Star Sweet Treats, has benefited from Archwood and its Buy Black Marketplace in a similar way, as her cookie business started to take off.
“For them to bring a place like Archwood to our community and let us know it’s a safe place and people do support you and want to see you succeed, it’s really important, especially in a place like Phoenix where you have such a low percentage of African Americans,” Johnson said.
Her homemade, gourmet cookies are among the featured items at ACRES, an acronym that stands for Archwood Community Resource Empowerment Strategy. Designed as a creators marketplace, ACRES is open Wednesdays through Sundays and features more than two dozen Black-owned businesses — from handmade jewelry to artisan waffle cones to natural skincare products, spicy salsa, art, animal products and more.
The founders of ACRES hope to expand the concept to other markets, including Denver, Las Vegas, San Diego and Dallas.
“We hope to continue to be a catalyst for the continued growth of entrepreneurship within the Black community,” Dickerson said. “Our mission is to be the go-to organization for helping Black-owned businesses get off the ground.”
To learn more about Archwood Exchange, its Buy Black Marketplace and ACRES, visit their website. Or, visit ACRES in person at 610 E. Roosevelt Street, Unit 133 in Phoenix.
