Pop-up networking event brings black women together

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This article was published 23/06/2022 (914 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two years ago, Nengi Offurum had the vision to create a positive and empowering platform to support black women. This Saturday, she will hold her first pop-up event for her company Black Women Owned.

“The event is to bring in people to come together and network. I have noticed in Manitoba that there aren’t many networking events hosted by black women,” she said. “This is an opportunity for black women and others to come together and I am grateful my organization will be hosting it.”

Offurum, a finalist for the 2021 RevolutionHer Awards, started building a community for her organization in 2020 and was incorporated this April. She never imagined the progress she has made in such a short time frame.

“I’ve always loved to support people, but I never imagined having partnership proposals or the support I’ve received. I didn’t see the bigger picture because I am focused on empowering and supporting other people.”

After receiving more support for the event than originally expected, Offurum had to change the event’s venue to a bigger space. The pop-up will feature six guest speakers, including Camille Sylvester, who is a social worker and secretary for the Black Manitobans Chamber of Commerce.

“Nengi is very smart and loves helping people. We are both black women and we want to do wonderful things for our community. That was a big reason why I wanted to be involved,” Sylvester said. “I definitely want to bring more awareness to the fact that there aren’t as many networking opportunities for black women. Going to these events is important so you can connect and meet like-minded people.”

Sylvester’s speech will focus on femininity and mental health.

“I find that women, especially when stressed, lose some of their feminine energy, which isn’t a problem, but there are ways to get more grounded,” she said. “Sometimes, we don’t seek out support such as counseling for mental health, especially with women. This was one of the reasons I wanted to utilize my skills in that forum.”

Aside from the guest speakers, the event will also have vendors of black-owned businesses to network and showcase their brands.

Shauntal Williams, who makes natural skin care products for her company Superior Serenity, will be one of the vendors and is grateful for the opportunity.

“This is the first event I’m doing with Nengi and I’m super excited to see how it turns out. I’m very appreciative for her to consider me. She reached out to me, so it means a lot to know she had me in mind,” she said.

Williams has been making products all week to prepare for the event and is looking forward to supporting the community.

“Nengi has a vision of the event and how she wants it to turn out. I hope and pray it all comes together and I think it is so far.”

Hosting another vendor at the event will be lawyer and beauty entrepreneur Felicita Ovadje.

Ovadje is the founder of Felicheeta Artistry, a retail store that offers makeup services and sells products in Grant Park Shopping Centre and online.

The company sells products that are owned by people of colour, but can be used by all. Ovadje has participated in pop-up events before, but none similar to this.

“I’m very excited for Nengi to take on this initiative. This event is the first of its kind here, so I’m excited to be a part of it and see the people come out,” Ovadje said. “We are at the end of the spectrum when it comes to prejudice since we are women and people of colour.”

Stories like those of Williams and Ovadje emphasize to Offurum why the event is important.

“I want people to understand the challenges and see why they should support black women,” Offurum said. “The organization is bigger than myself. I’m just bringing more awareness and hoping to inspire others in the community.”

Offurum hopes to continue hosting similar events going forward in Manitoba while expanding to other provinces and countries.

The event will begin with a networking meet and greet Saturday at noon at the Launch Coworking Space on Chevrier Boulevard. Tickets can be purchased by all on Eventbrite.

bryce.hunt@freepress.mb.ca