Each Girls For A Change hosts an Annual Market Day featuring Camp Diva Leadership Academy girls. Market Day is a regular part of Camp Diva programming meant to give girls the experience of making and selling their own products at a market. Each year, the Girls For A Change center is transformed into a virtual market and the community is invited to come shop, interact with the girls, and enjoy live entertainment.
“Market Day is an important part of Camp Diva because it helps girls with public speaking as they interact with shoppers, teaches them pricing and marketing skills, they gain networking skills as they interact with the community, and learn about entrepreneurship through experience,” explains Angela Patton, founder of Camp Diva Leadership Academy and CEO of Girls For A Change. “The GFAC Virtual Market Day 2020 theme is ‘Where Black Girls Create, Make and Innovate,’” Patton adds.
This year has been a challenge for Girls For A Change as COVID-19 restrictions have caused them to move their programming online. Thanks to a collaboration with the Richmond Night Market, that has been running its popular market virtually all summer long, Market Day will be transformed into a fun, online experience.
“We are thrilled about the opportunity to partner with GFAC in support of Market Day. We look forward to introducing these budding entrepreneurs to the community, the opportunity to amplify our collective commitment to centering Black girls and getting their products sold during Market Day.” – Melody Short, Co-Founder, Richmond Night Market
Richmond Night Market is actually a “Girl Ambassador” for another Girls For A Change program: Girl Ambassador. The Girl Ambassador program is a workforce development program that takes High School girls through 8 weeks of professional skills training and then places them in Summer internships where they put those skills to work. This year, the Richmond Night Market is hosting Girl Ambassador participant Jayla Banks, who has been integral in planning GFAC’s Virtual Market Day, and also co-hosted the Richmond Night Market on August 8 at 5 p.m.
“Working with the Richmond Night Market has been an amazing experience! I have learned so much from Ms. Adrienne, Ms. Melody, and the entire Richmond Night Market team. I learned how to coordinate and communicate with many people to bring together an event.”
– Jayla Banks
But the collaboration doesn’t stop there, many of this year’s Girl Ambassadors have lent their GFAC interns to help with Virtual Market Day. Noelle Massenburgh, who is working with Riddle Design Company, helped create the design for the Etsy page and virtual streaming platform. Iyanna Hardin, who is working with Emergent Social Solutions, helped develop the marketing plan and social media marketing materials. Jessica Saunders, who is working with Hope Professional Financial Services, is helping Camp Diva girls develop pricing for their products.
On Thursday, August 13th, shoppers can tune into Richmond Night Market’s Facebook page, YouTube channel, or website to watch the virtual market unfold. Hear from 15 budding entrepreneurs who will display and talk about their products virtually. Products range from homemade sweets to beauty and wellness products, and handmade crafts. All products can be purchased from the Girls For A Change Etsy page and proceeds will go to the girl. Viewers will also get a taste of that Richmond Night Market experience with a virtual DJ set from Teihyanna Thomas and featured Camp Diva artist Journi Marlow who will do a live painting demonstration.
