Walden club’s fourth annual Black Renaissance festival connects students with Nashville entrepreneurs

By Alana McLaughlin

Senior Reporter

Trevecca’s fourth annual Black Renaissance encourages community members to taste, celebrate and experience Black culture.

Iris Gordon, Walden Club advisor, said the goal of these events is to celebrate how different cultures impact each other.

Hosted by the Walden Club, the speakeasy, Harlem Renaissance-themed festival took place on Feb. 20 from 6 p.m to 8 p.m. in the Boone Convocation Center. More than 20 local Black-owned businesses set up booths featuring interactive art projects, accessories, soul food, desserts, and skincare products.

“Events like these are great exposure,” said LaPorscha Peoples, a vendor. Peoples, who is currently Miss Black Tennessee USA, gave away roses with each sale of the novel Power vs. Poverty, a book edited by Peoples and written by her incarcerated husband, Rivera Peoples.

Vendor’s booths at Trevecca’s fourth annual Black Renaissance / *TrevEchoes – Parker Henningsen*

Attendees had the opportunity to shop, dine with local Black-owned businesses like the Pepper Pot and Papa Turney’s BBQ, and enjoy live music.

Anthony Griffey, Walden Club president, and Gordon opened the night with speeches.

Speakers included local actors Percy Bell Jr. and Willie “Big Fella” Sims, third Walden Club President Aleah Bryant, local business owners Pamela Peterson of Honey Flow, and Jennifer Grady, board chairman of the Tennessee Aquatic Project.

Peoples, Miss Black Tennessee USA, gave away roses with each sale of Power vs. Poverty, a book edited by Peoples and written by her incarcerated husband, Rivera Peoples. Representatives from local organizations like The Tennessee Aquatic Project and the Cooking the Wright Way program greeted attendees and shared information about the work they do in Nashville. Dr. Charles Jamerson facilitated an interactive art project in the room’s Creative Corner.

The youngest vendor in the room was 13-year-old Isabella Scruggs who sold Girl Scout cookies. According to her digital cookie store, after the cookie sales, Isabella’s troop plans to use the funds for a trip to Chicago.

“We intentionally wanna highlight different sectors of Black entrepreneurs, so we always include youth entrepreneurs,” said Gordon.