FAMU’s Longtime Tradition ‘Set Fridays’ Creates A Hub For Black Entrepreneurship

BLACK Company visited the gorgeous Florida A&M College (FAMU) campus and expert its 1-of-a-kind tradition “Set Fridays,” on Friday, April 22, many thanks to Go to Tallahassee and The Zimmerman Company.

Originated in 1993, Established Fridays begun out as Current market Friday, an occasion that produced an inviting area for college student business owners to market place and provide their goods. Nowadays, the tradition has advanced into a weekly social occasion.

According to Check out Tallahassee, “on Fridays, students obtain at Established Fridays. The event normally takes location in front of the Student Union, on what is known as “The Set” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Made by pupil business owners in 1993 to showcase their manufacturer or solutions and providers for sale, the occasion now features university student clubs, group and vendor booths (generally college students), a are living D. J., and scheduled entertainment with almost everything from vogue displays to poetry readings.”

During the modern stop by, the Spring climate was best. Pupils gathered at the freshly opened Will Packer Undertaking Arts Amphitheater to get pleasure from a host of festivities. From the infamous Hill, you can hear the DJ hyping up the group with preferred hip-hop beats. Groups of college students, soaked in Black joy, couldn’t resist joining in on the vibe with electrical power-packed dances and Rattler pride. FAMU was in its aspect.

FAMU was also celebrating its Annual Providing Working day, “1887 Strikes,” fundraising celebration. The marketing campaign raised a lot more than $660,000 to help initiatives and scholarships for students, in accordance to FAMU Information. Totally free t-shirts had been provided as mementos at the amphitheater.

When the party was in session, formidable sellers greeted learners and non-pupils with all smiles, proud to be a aspect of the FAMU culture. There were rewarding discussions about their products from boutique clothes and handmade system candles to self-defense resources.

Robert Jones, a 2020 FAMU graduate and journalism important, instructed BLACK Company about his former encounters at Set Friday and the university student entrepreneurship factor of the party.

“It was a time to type of just unwind from the each day grind of getting a college or university scholar and socialize with my peers as well as take aspect in a FAMU custom that was much more laid back again,” reported Jones who will work with The Zimmerman Agency.

“This is an on-campus occasion that regularly brings a huge crowd of students and offers student business people the platform to showcase and market their goods to their peers,” he provides, “which I imagine allows develop connections and bonds with folks that last considerably for a longer period than their time at FAMU.”

Even though browsing the proficient vendors on campus, BLACK Business also experienced the enjoyment of assembly two distinctive little company house owners, Brianna Rogers and Amber Magny. 

CEO Brianna Rogers started off her very own self-protection accessory line, BriSafe, just after surviving a sexual assault in mid-2020. Considering that then, she has produced it her mission to unfold recognition about human trafficking and sexual assault, bring regional organizations together, and give again to the neighborhood.

Rogers, who hails from the modest town of Port St. Lucie, FL,  said proudly, “You’re generally a family in this article. I was very nervous leaving home, FAMU actually welcomed every person in with us.”

She ongoing, “I’ve learned so numerous lifestyle lessons from this college.”

The Tallahassee-based mostly accessory firm commenced with keychains and now features a host of undetectable merchandise, which include pen and comb knives, tasers, mobile telephone and jogger stun guns, pepper spray, and much more.

A FAMU legacy, Rogers has been vending for 18 months. She takes her business enterprise to both equally FAMU and Florida State College (FSU) campuses just about every 7 days with the intention to educate learners about wholesome courting, self-protection, and the significance of expressing “no.” BriSafe also offers self-defense courses and will have seminars in the slide.

“One in 5 women on a college or university campus will be sexually assaulted,” Rogers stated. “The established is in the vicinity of and dear to my heart for the reason that we get to offer basic safety for men and women on that campus.”

FAMU college student and chemistry major Amber Magny is the operator of Sensual Essence and Elaqor, two mirroring enterprises that intention to not only set a finish temper in your self-treatment regimen but to spark optimistic conversations. Both enterprises run less than the keeping business MurderBunny Productions.

Released in May well 2021, Sensual Essence was born with encouraging and celebrating womanhood in head. Honoring all dimensions, shades, form, and genders, this Tallahassee-based firm options handmade adornments these kinds of as anklets, bracelets, and waistbeads. “I attempt to remind women that they are stunning at every single phase of their lifetime,” Magny claims.

Elaqor, recognized in September 2021, is a luxury candle earning brand name that sells handmade silhouette entire body candles. The inclusive brand name also offers candle personalization possibilities, including distinct system forms, scents and added capabilities these kinds of as piercings, gold drip, and entire body chains.

“The sector has been incredibly beneficial,” claims Magny, who started out vending at FAMU since tumble 2021. “I’m capable to hook up with other learners and like-minded people. Via it, we are capable to talk on appealing subject areas about the worth of system positivity, self-care, self-assurance, and substantially more.”