Quill Wordsmith

wordsmith@excapethematrix.com

Charles Village, a local community in the Baltimore area, recently celebrated their community with games, a festival, and a parade in early June. In addition to this community being the home of Johns Hopkins University and cultural arts and diversity, this is also the home to several African-American businesses who have linked together to demonstrate Unity in a very unique way. Five businesses in the area not only linked together to help promote each other’s business, but they’ve also made an effort to reach back into the community.

"[This is] beyond money making...It’s mostly about perfection."

"Aromassage," a candle and aromatherapy establishment, found a building and decided to use the space for selling the candles and custom scents as an added income to maintain the space. Eventually they’d like to turn into a franchise that will spread beyond mall carts and Charles Village. Also partnering with Aromassage is "Rags to Riches Women’s" Boutique and "Jedidah Custom Jewelry," who all share the same block. "Rags to Riches" is where you can find vintage clothing, a knowledgeable personnel as well as reasonable prices. Jedidah Jewelry isn’t to be overlooked either, with women’s jewelry and accessories. Owner Noreen Smith also knows how to reach out to the community. Based on the biblical figure and mother of Josiah, the name Jedidah was chosen because it represented strength and leadership, for this was the mother of a man who’d lead people to their promised land. That example and leadership is seen through the business part in the community. For the Father’s Day weekend, the store will be bringing in men’s accessories, clothing, and teaming up with the neighboring barbershop and providing haircuts and massages to the men who come out to support the event. You’ll even have an opportunity to see artwork displayed by local artists also gaining support from Jedidah.

B.U. strives to be "a men’s lifestyle resource." It will consist of accessories, grooming needs (such as soaps, lotions and colognes) music, CDs, as well as artwork for sale. Some of the already displayed pieces included work by Melanie Douglass, descendant of Frederick Douglass. As far as the entertainment, they hope to provide both a book and CD of the month. "The whole motive is to jump out of the box on all senses, not just to provide a 50 Cent CD but John Coltrane’s Lost Tracks etcetera." When asked to define unity, Kevin responded, "Unity is collective awareness, accountability, responsibility, and education. It’s our responsibility to be aware of what’s going on with our community at large."

Not only is B.U. striving to be a men’s lifestyle resource but there’s also another business in this small community which caters primarily to men, but to women as well.

That place is, "A Cut Above the Rest" unisex barbershop. Lying on the edge of Charles Village towards the downtown area is the unisex barbershop that caters to its customers in the most unique way. Complimentary continental breakfast is served, including coffee, fruits and pastries, and in the evening you might even catch a nice "cold one" on the house. "[This is] beyond money making because I’ve been doing this since 12 years old," states owner Damien. He states, "It’s mostly about perfection. Going to different shops and knowing exactly what you want and not being able to get it....I decided to do what I had to do." All within the same two buildings, the barbershop has partnered with a recording studio, a bail bonds establishment, as well as a tattoo parlor to promote each other’s business and keep the traffic of clientele progressing. The barbershop offers color, style, braids and twists, and guys can have their natural styles maintenance as well.

Each business finds partnership to be vital for growth. Each business sets an example for upcoming entrepreneurs. Each business is owned by African-American young adults under the age of 35 years old. Most importantly, each business uses Unity as the pulse of their success.