Afro Unicorn Foundation Hosts Super Successful Event

On Saturday, February 17, the Afro Unicorn Foundation hosted its The Unique, Divine & Magical Small Business Market. 

The extraordinary event held at Planet Health Compton was free and open to the public, including shopping, food, fun activities, hair activations with the Afro Unicorn Braid Bar, and more. It was a packed house, and everyone loved the incredible vibe and atmosphere!

Moreover, the Afro Unicorn Foundation graduated its first Compton City Cohort participants, and Kenyelle Ash, Afro Unicorn Foundation President, was particularly proud of the 26 girls, who received proclamation awards signed by the City of Compton Mayor and the City Council as records that they completed the program—a special thank you to Mayor Pro Tem Lillie P. Darden, who has been an ardent supporter. 

Guest speaker Kar Christian-Stewart, CEO of Pucker Up Lemonade Co., led a panel titled "Making Lemonade out of Lemons: Strategies for Success," moderated by Ines Johnson of Be-You-Tiful Minds.

Our team, including Afro Unicorn founder and CEO April Showers, Afro Unicorn Foundation President Kenyelle Ash, and Afro Unicorn Chief Marketing Operator Mel Kyle-Cofer, participated in a stimulating panel discussion titled "Building Your Brand." 

Speaking of building a brand, vendor participation in the Afro Unicorn Foundation's Small Business Market was an opportunity for vendors to showcase their unique products and services. Moreover, the business owners made a meaningful impact on the lives of young girls in underserved communities. 

The girls had a truly immersive experience with an opportunity to collaborate with the vendors, help at the booths, and gain firsthand knowledge of what it takes to create a small business, one of the integral pillars of the Afro Unicorn Foundation. 

Each vendor was hand-selected to participate in Afro Unicorn Foundation’s Small Business Market. On the Edge Baby Hair CEO Rochelle Rene says of the inspiring event: “I absolutely love when I can do events in my own City of Compton. I loved being paired with a girl from the Foundation to mentor and teach what we know about being small business owners. It gave me all the feels. Of course, we were doing some Edge tutorials!” adding, “It was a true honor to be in the midst of like-minded entrepreneurs that want to create a legacy for their families and the communities we serve.” 

Khola, CEO of Khareem Kreations, added that “environment and energy were fire.”

Brittany Golden, owner of  IGL Nails, shared that she manifested the experience of participating in the event, reflecting how amazing it was to “mentor the young girls and teach them about owning a small business and hearing from “the” April Showers with the goal of getting into licensing for her own nail press-on products.”

A huge thank you to all the vendors who participated including Tracey Ambrose W.R.A.P., The Cupcake Junkie, Journee’s Roses, DJ+FRIENDS, Lit by D. Shanae, Born Woke Kids, The Suckle Center, IGL Nails, Khareem Kreations, VCH Prosperity Consulting dba Compton Wellness Collective and Pucker Up Lemonade Co., an event sponsor.

Last but certainly not least, congratulations to our two Afro Unicorn small business winners, The Cupcake Junkie and the Journees Roses, who each received a grant of $500.