Outlet Collection hosts market for Black-owned businesses

In celebration of Black History Month, The Outlet Collection Seattle will be creating a space for Black-owned small businesses.

Organized in collaboration with Dawntonya Johnson, founder of the nonprofit Mom of Many Kids, The Outlet Collection will host the Black Owned Business Vendor Market on Feb. 18, 19, 25 and 26 in Auburn, providing space to support local Black-owned small businesses. Local artists, businesses within the mall and the Auburn School District Black Student Union will provide representation and information through the use of displays in the mall highlighting this years’ theme of Black Resistance chosen by the African American Life and History Organization (A.S.A.L.H.)

“We wanted and needed to do something impactful this year,” said Elizabeth Butchko, General Manager at The Outlet Collection Seattle. “We are so grateful to Dawntonya Johnson, creator of Mom of Many Kids, who helped provide us the community insight and connections necessary to organize this vital vendor market. Due to her continued efforts and hard work in the Black community we are honored to provide the space for black-owned local businesses to thrive.”

The market will begin Feb. 18. It runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The market will open with special performances by Haille’ Bell, Revolution of Life, Kenny Wilkerson, and D’Vonne Lewis. The event will host over 40 vendors, and take place in the connector between Burlington and H&M.