Black Owned 905 and Future Black Female will debut their new store for Black-owned businesses in downtown St. Catharines on April 8, according to Niagara This Week.

A small market for launch day could include at least eight Black-owned vendors. It will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

“We've created a whole community to support them,” Tapo Chimbganda, executive director of Future Black Female, told Niagara This Week. “By the time they're ready to leave here, they've got a solid foundation (and) a solid customer base. They've had lots of marketing (experience and can continue growing their business).”

Located at the city's Corbloc building, businesses chosen will come through Black Owned 905 and Future Black Female's “Marketplace Bootcamp” program, which is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

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The Enterprise Centre, Brock Linc, Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce (GNCC), and St. Catharines Downtown Association are also helping to support the initiative, according to Niagara This Week.

So far, the organizations have recruited a hairstyling business but are still looking for other applications. Black women between the ages of 18 and 25 with a business plan are encouraged to apply and can contact info@futureblackfemale.com.

“We're asking people to send their business plans. Tell us what their business is (and) what stage they're at. We want people who are ready to be in store,” Chimbganda told Niagara This Week.