Pop-Up MARKET || BLACK BUSINESSES || Montreal

The Black Business Atlas Pop-up has once again established itself as a major event for Montreal’s Black entrepreneurial community. The gathering, marked by a warm and festive atmosphere, brought together an impressive diversity of artisans and creators who came to showcase their expertise and unique products.

For many exhibitors, this meeting represents much more than just a market. It is a rare opportunity to connect with the community, gain visibility, and highlight initiatives that often stem from personal stories and a desire to provide tailored solutions.

Among the participants, some, like the founder of Accessoires, spoke about their attachment to this space of visibility. “I have been running my boutique of earrings for nearly five years, focused on highlighting the Black woman. Participating in the Pop-up is always a wonderful experience. It allows me to meet clients and entrepreneurs who share my reality,” she explained.

Others have chosen to direct their efforts toward wellness and personal care. The brand Juice presented a hair oil made from coconut, almond, black cumin, and castor oils, designed to protect hydration and stimulate hair growth. “Our products aim to respond to concrete needs while respecting the health of skin and hair,” affirmed the creator.

The wellness sector was, in fact, strongly represented. Les soins de Ménéa, for example, showcased natural ranges for sensitive skin, ranging from soaps to moisturizing lotions, as well as rich creams adapted for dry skin. In the same spirit, the founder of Beauté Errance reflected on her personal journey, explaining how her difficulties in finding suitable products for Black skin in Canada led her to distribute in the country the products of the French laboratory Inoïa.

But the Pop-up does not stop at cosmetics and beauty. Other creative worlds were also present, such as Bord d’Ivoire’s scented candles, designed to evoke memories and familiar atmospheres, or the innovative lamps of M de Miracles, conceived as decorative objects that recall African roots.

The event also positioned itself as a hub of innovation and solidarity. Initiatives like Évidence Studio, a beauty salon seeking to bring together, both online and in physical stores, the creations of Black artisans from Montreal, demonstrate this determination to pool strengths and build a collaborative economy. Even sectors often marginalized, such as feminine hygiene, found their place through companies like Kas Essentiel, specialized in products dedicated to women’s intimate health.

Gastronomy was also represented, with stands offering Caribbean specialties such as pain patate or rum cake, reflecting the cultural and culinary richness of the diaspora.

Major financial institutions were also in attendance. Christian Basson, Regional Director of Business Development for Black Communities in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces for TD Bank, praised “an essential initiative that highlights the talents of the community, providing a space for networking and visibility.”

Beyond the products, this was truly a celebration of the talent, creativity, and resilience of Black entrepreneurs. The event illustrates the essential role of Black Business Atlas in shining a light on impactful projects while helping to strengthen the community’s economic and social fabric.

By bringing together artisans, financial partners, and enthusiastic visitors, the Pop-up has established itself as an unmissable gathering, where the stories of a new generation of entrepreneurs determined to leave their mark are being written.