A dollar circulates in Asian communities for one month, according to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
In Jewish communities, a single dollar circulates for approximately 20 days while four quarters – or two fifty-cent pieces – remain in white communities about 17 days.
By contrast, in the African-American community, a single dollar lasts about six hours, according to the NAACP. Should we not change this scenario in the black community?
The Baltimore Times thinks that we should. And over decades it has continued to work to support and promote small businesses. The newspaper has consistently and repeatedly found ways to help entrepreneurs of all backgrounds make their dollar circulate within the community. “When we thrive, I believe everyone else does as well,” said Baltimore Times Publisher, Joy Bramble.
To that end, the Baltimore Times and the Baltimore Times Foundation are hosting an inaugural Holiday Marketplace at the Coppin State University’s Talon Center on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018.
This will be a “shopping extravaganza” which continues the theme of “Shop Small Business Saturday”—a project
developed to support Baltimore’s local artisans, small business owners and entrepreneurs. This “shopping extravaganza” will begin at 10.00 am, and last through 4.00 p.m. at Coppin.
The market offers something for everyone: one-of-a-kind specialty gift items; face painting; demonstrations on the art of gift wrapping; ideas on gifts individuals can make themselves; music; and plenty of free parking.
Open to the public with free admission, the shopping extravaganza will also feature caricatures, a balloon sculpture and much more.
The event is as important for young people as anyone else, said Dr. Ronald Williams, the former Dean of the College of Business and current Lead Faculty of the Employment Certification Program at Coppin State University.
“An event like this is tremendously important. Small businesses are the economic engine of the country, so small businesses certainly have a big socio-economic impact on the community,” Williams said. “An event like this really helps the community, the city, the region and it is very important,” he said.
Mrs. Joy Bramble said that the event is important to the Baltimore Times’ mission of supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses in the communities and showing the importance of such operations on the positive effect they have on local communities. “The Baltimore Times has always supported such community events,” Bramble said.
“We started as a small business and we know the value of the dollar and we know that it is important for entrepreneurs to set an example for young people who might one day aspire to own their small business and to be able to sustain themselves,” she said.
Professor Williams added that young people need good examples of successful business people who they can emulate.
“What I see is critical now is that our young people being able to earn money sooner … entrepreneurship – the contract work or the gig economy is a way for our young people to start earning money earlier in life,” he said.
“An example of that is that statistics tell us that in the next two years, 50 percent of the population will have an alternative stream of income.
“Our young people need the skills such as coding so that they can begin to take on work even as teenagers that will enable them to earn substantial amounts of money. If you can code at age 15, you may earn more than your parents earn,” Williams said.
And a performance by John Carrington, Magician
There are no tickets required for event and for more details or to request a vendor application – the event is not open to food vendors due to facility restrictions – call 410-366-3900 or email btimes@btimes.com. To RSVP online, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-marketplace-a-shopping-extravaganza-tickets-27494205910