INDUSTRY CITY — Black entrepreneurs make up 3.5% of New York City’s businesses, despite making up more than 20% of its population. Renae Bluitt, curator and founder of She Did That, a platform for Black women entrepreneurs, is attempting to alter those statistics. 

The She Did That Holiday Bazaar, sponsored by beauty brand Shea Moisture and geared to amplify Black-owned brands from the New York City tristate area, took place on the afternoon of Dec. 1 and sold more than 600 tickets. 

The seventh annual one-day shopping experience hosted a variety of businesses from retail sectors that included home, beauty, wellness, food and beverage and clothing. In addition, this year also debuted He Did That, spotlighting Black men-owned businesses. 

According to Bluitt, 2023 and 2024 have been pretty challenging times for small businesses, particularly black-owned businesses. 

“That’s why events like this are so important,” Bluitt said. “Our community and the relationships we are able to build — that is our social currency. That is honestly more valuable than someone just dumping money into your business.”