The Black Student Union held its annual business fair in the West High cafeteria April 30 from 1:30-3 p.m. to showcase local Black entrepreneurs. Students and community members conversed whilst learning about various Black-owned businesses. Numerous products and services were showcased, including braiding, handcrafted pottery and clothing.
BSU is a longstanding student-run club at West with the goal of ensuring representation and unity among Black students. This year marked the club’s second hosting of the fair, with an extremely successful turnout. With the fair, they aspire to bring recognition and student clientele to small businesses. As for student entrepreneurs, this opportunity allows peers and teachers to see them in an environment not highlighted in a traditional classroom. The fair featured multiple West business owners, including Yona Ruguduka ’27, Fortunate Mindja ’27, JT Myers ’26 and Shadi Elsiddig ’26.
Mindja began her business, Knotted by Fortina, with a doll and a comb. She is a self-taught stylist who specializes in protective styles such as braids, locks, retwists, twists and cornrows. During the period when Mindja started her business, she faced roadblocks, including undercharging and building up the confidence to take in clients.
“I even actually stopped doing hair for some time, but I was able to pick myself back up again and set my boundaries,” Mindja said.
Mindja’s business is now thriving; she has found the balance between studies and work.
Anterrion Redd developed his business, First Love Yourself, in 2024. Redd works as a fashion designer, stylist, and creative director for F.L.Y. It began as a self-love awareness brand, yet blossomed into streetwear on the runway, and by the end of this year, he will be taking his designs to New York Fashion Week. Redd appreciates the fair because it allows him to spread his message to the younger generation.
“I feel like I’m inspiring the youth, but they’re also really inspiring me as well to not be complacent, because everyone has so many dreams at once, where I only have one,” Redd said.
Redd also faced challenges like being scammed out of money, scratching designs and losing files. However, he learned to rebuild his foundation, and that mentality will push him to his final goal for F.L.Y.
“I want to go global. I want to feed the kids. I want to feed the homeless. I want to go global with everything and just be that person to attend to every need in the world,” Redd said.
Beyond showcasing entrepreneurs, the event left an impact on numerous students who attended, many of whom believed the fair brought unity and opportunity. BSU member Alyssa McClain ’27 found the fair influential in bringing people together, especially with the division she has felt in the media.
“It’s important for students to see that there’s more out there than what has been shown online,” McClain said. “With videos on social media that you see for Black people, all you see is athletics and music. I feel like [the fair] is a good chance for people to know that there’s more out there than just that.
Bray’Shaun Payne ’27 and Laila McConaughy ’27, also members of BSU, loved to see the sheer amount of positivity and support at the fair.
“I love to see people, especially Black people, being able to show their inspirations, passions, and being able to expand their audience,” McConaughy said.
Payne enjoys seeing the togetherness of the Black community that BSU promotes.
“We are about unity [at BSU], and with unity comes people. We really wanted to branch out and show our color,” Payne said.
