From clothing to jewelry to self care products - more than 30 black owned businesses set up tables with their product in the Killawley Center at Youngstown State University for the annual African Marketplace.

“I've been coming every year and the people can’t wait to see me and it's like family,” Saibo Kebbeh, the owner of Saibo African Import said. 

Kebbeh came all the way from Buffalo, New York to showcase his business at the marketplace. He said his African clothes and shea butter are some of his hottest selling items every year.

“When people buy something from Africa I always tell them…whatever you buy here we going back there and buy from them too and that's helping,” Kebbeh said.

Ego’s Clothing also brought pieces from abroad with traditional African clothing and jewelry from Nigeria and Ghana.

“This is not just once a year merchandise, it's everyday, depends on what you want to wear or do,” Ego Adigwe, owner of Ego’s clothing said. 

Even some local businesses like 5 Grands Boutique from Warren displayed their signature sequined cowboy boots - encouraging people to not only shop black owned but small businesses year round.

“Now is the time that we really need to support black-owned businesses because it appears to be an attack on black and brown people,” Rosalyn Hill, Owner of 5 Grands said. "It is vitally important that we support our small business because we need each other to grow."

The marketplace is an annual tradition at YSU, bringing people together during Black History Month to celebrate the culture and make connections.

“It's a great way to bring the campus to the community,” Patrick Spearman, the Director of Africana Studies at YSU said. “Sometimes as a campus we sit on an island and this is one of the opportunities where you can actually invite the community onto the campus so we can build a better relationship.”

The African Marketplace will return to YSU’s campus next year on the first Saturday in February. 

Egos Clothing can be found at 11702 Buckeye Road in Cleveland 44120. You can find store hours or make special appointments by calling 216-387-2983. 

Saibo African Import is located at 81 Allen St., Buffalo, NY 14202.

5 Grands Boutique is located at 164 High Street NE in Warren, Ohio. and is open Monday - Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday's 11 a.m to 3p.m.