Akoma Market Traders Report Difficulties in Sales Due to Unfavorable Conditions
In the vibrant heart of Oakland, California, lies the AKOMA Market, a unique blend of retail and food establishments that has become a beacon for locals and visitors alike. Established in September 2020, the market offers a safe and open space for Black-owned businesses to thrive, providing a crucial pipeline for vendors to hone their skills, gain experience, and potentially transition into more permanent brick-and-mortar presences.
One such business is Pound Bizness, a pound cake company founded by Reggie and Nicole Borders in 2018. The duo found their stride at the AKOMA Market, where they were granted a brick-and-mortar space in partnership with Block Corporation. Since then, Pound Bizness has experienced exposure, connected with new customers, and gained unique opportunities.
The AKOMA Market's atmosphere is consistently "beautiful, colorful, and lively," drawing in customers who are "amazed" by the vibrant mix of retail and food. Vendors express profound gratitude for a haven where competition gives way to collaboration and a regular rhythm translates into loyal customers.
However, the impact of gentrification on Black businesses in Oakland, including those like the AKOMA Market, can be substantial and multifaceted. Gentrification often leads to displacement, cultural disruption, and economic challenges for Black-owned businesses.
Aspiring vendors can fill out an interest form to join the AKOMA Market at https://tinyurl.com/akomamarket-2025. The primary requirements to operate in the market include securing liability insurance and a seller's permit (which is highly suggested but not strictly required).
The Black Cultural Zone (BCZ), of which the AKOMA Market is a part, has a long-term vision of establishing permanent commercial spaces for vendors within Liberation Park. This ambition reflects the market's role as a dynamic incubator for emerging entrepreneurs in the Black Cultural Zone.
Ari Curry, Deputy Director of Media and Communications for the BCZ, explained the AKOMA Market's purpose and impact. "The AKOMA Market is a strategic 'Resource Hub for Community Rapid Response' and a dynamic incubator for emerging entrepreneurs in the Black Cultural Zone," Curry said.
Nicole Borders described the AKOMA Market as more than just a marketplace, but a movement. "We're not just selling products; we're building a community," she said.
Community events and initiatives celebrating Black culture and entrepreneurship can help mitigate some of the negative impacts of gentrification. These efforts provide essential exposure and boost community pride in local businesses. However, specific strategies for the AKOMA Market would depend on its unique circumstances and the support it receives from the community and local initiatives.
The scheduled AKOMA Market date is August 2nd. For more information or to become a vendor, visit https://tinyurl.com/akomamarket-2025.
- The AKOMA Market, situated in Oakland, California, serves as a melting pot for retail and food establishments, attracting diverse crowds with a vibrant mix of businesses, cultivating a lively atmosphere that is both beautiful and invigorating.
- Pound Bizness, a Black-owned pound cake company, thrived at the AKOMA Market, granting them valuable exposure, a steady stream of customers, and the unique opportunity to collaborate with fellow vendors.
- Despite its success, the AKOMA Market, including other Black-owned businesses in Oakland, faces the substantial impacts of gentrification, potentially leading to displacement, cultural disruption, and economic challenges.
- As the AKOMA Market aims to expand and evolve, it strives to mirror its role as a dynamic incubator within the Black Cultural Zone, envisioning permanent commercial spaces within Liberation Park for emerging entrepreneurs in the future.
- The Black Cultural Zone (BCZ) approaches the AKOMA Market as a strategic resource hub for community rapid response, emphasizing its potential to foster growth among local businesses while building a stronger, more unified community.
- The ever-growing AKOMA Market, more than just a marketplace, symbolizes a movement focused on community development, celebrating Black culture and encouraging the success of Black-owned small businesses, thus strengthening the fabric of the Oakland community.
