Get To Know Black In NWA...
After a few weeks in your inbox, we thought it was time for a proper introduction!
Welcome Black In NWA, a newsletter designed to keep you up to date on local businesses, resources, and events for the community! With Black folks making up just 2% of the population in Northwest Arkansas, having a centralized hub for all things For Us and By Us is essential to not only surviving but thriving in the region. So many great things happen throughout the year in NW Arkansas. With this newsletter, you won’t miss any of it!
Who’s Behind Black In NWA?
We are JazzyJaeNWA! - local influencers on a mission to create a more inclusive Northwest Arkansas by serving the community and sharing our experiences. We serve in several ways. Through JazzyJaeNWA, we share local happenings and things to do centered around our interests in Food, Art, and Fun. Under our Black-Owned NWA banner, we market local Black-Owned businesses, services, and cultural events to the community while sharing ways for entrepreneurs to thrive in the region.
J’Aaron “Jae” Merchant has a passion for diverse representation through visual storytelling and digital media. Originally from the US Virgin Islands, Jae earned her BFA from Savannah State University and studied animation at the Savannah College of Art & Design. She has worked with Disney, Sesame Street, PBS Kids, creating characters and stories that reflect the modern world.
Jasmine Hudson is an entrepreneurial retail professional with a track record of developing, launching and scaling major national brands and products. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Jasmine earned her degree in e-commerce and supply chain management from Tennessee State University. Upon graduation, she joined the team at Walmart, holding several positions in merchandising including buying and financial planning.
Black In NWA is also supported by Anela Malik of Feed The Malik, an influencer and writer who recently relocated to NW Arkansas. Anela focuses on storytelling through food and travel content and also edits this newsletter!
How To Support Black In NWA
This newsletter is a labor of love, one created by the founders of Black-Owned NWA. If you enjoy this resource, have enjoyed Black-Owned NWA’s work in the region, or want to support the Black-Owned NWA Expo (which is free for attendees and has engaged hundreds of vendors and the community for years) then we’re asking for your support here.
To keep this newsletter going, ensure Black-Owned NWA remains a vibrant resource, and support the planning of the next expo you can:
Share this newsletter with at least five friends, family members, and coworkers who might enjoy it!
Sign up for the paid version of this newsletter, which will get you monthly freebies and behind-the-scenes access, and is vital to ensuring the longevity of this work.
Thanks again! We will be back next week with more events and happenings for the community in NW Arkansas.