RHOA Stars Cynthia Bailey and Eva Marcille Launch Holiday Marketplace Highlighting Black-Owned Businesses

Celebrities are using their platforms to help struggling business owners across the country impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this month, Real Housewives of Atlanta stars Cynthia Bailey and Eva Marcille unveiled plans to launch a holiday marketplace to highlight Black-owned businesses in partnership with the beverage company Seagram’s Escapes.

The Seagram’s Holiday Marketplace will run through the holiday season from Nov. 15 through Dec. 31 for customers looking to do their gift shopping from Black small businesses. Companies and brands can apply through the store’s website to be highlighted on the platform from now through Oct.15. Participating businesses will also have a chance to be selected to receive a $10,000 business grant from the program.

“Seagram’s Escapes Holiday Marketplace is a way for Black-owned businesses to drive sales and receive the attention they deserve but don’t always receive,” said Marcille in a press statement. “I can’t wait to see the participating businesses and support their dreams through this program.”

Bailey, who serves as the brand’s celebrity spokesperson, collaborated with the beverage company in the past to make a signature drink, hopes that the new program will help small business owners struggling amid the public health crisis. “As a Black businesswoman myself, I know how important it is to support Black-owned businesses. A lot of us took a major hit during the coronavirus shut down and are struggling to stay afloat,” said Bailey in a press statement.

“By supporting Black-owned businesses you enable communities to become stronger by investing in small businesses that help to sustain them. Seagram’s Escapes Holiday Marketplace: Featuring Black-Owned Businesses is a great opportunity to support Black-owned businesses and I’m thrilled to launch this program with Seagram’s Escapes.”

“This is a tough time to be in business in general, but COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Black-owned businesses,” Jennifer McCauley, Seagram’s Escapes brand director, said in a press statement. “It’s important that Seagram’s Escapes and our partners use our platforms to help these incredible businesses during this tough time. We are thrilled to celebrate Black-owned businesses and bring attention to their great products and services through our Seagram’s Escapes Holiday Marketplace.”