Sisterhood on display at Rochester boutique
Connie Marple, the owner of Women of Color International has created a vibrant shop teeming with fashion, sweet treats, and self-care items. It unites women of color under one roof.
An explosion of color and expression greets shoppers who step inside. It's full of laughter and positive energy. Fourteen Black women from all backgrounds share the space. Women like Patricia Mason-Williams who owns Second Glance Vintage. 'When Connie first opened I fell in love with this store.' Now Mason-Williams is part of the business.
All of the women invited to join the collective exude passion for their handmade designs, all-natural products, or one-of-a-kind creations.
Verneda Adele White owns Black People are America's Hot Sauce. She says her t-shirts and merchandise are about self-care and love.
'This is a manifestation of my own journey of facing racism as a black woman in America,' she said.
Marple says 2024 was the cooperative's best year. She says they have increased customers and sales since the boutique first opened during the pandemic in 2021.
'So I have to constantly make more oil because they're selling out,' explains Deondra Dukes, the owner of D'Llias Hair Products. 'It's a good problem to have.'
Keisha Holloman who owns Hair by Her Boutique says, 'I never knew it would flourish to this.' LaQuita Danner-Moore, the owner of Unrivaled Jewels says she's expanded what she offers but her most popular product is her waist beads and chains. 'This one I call steampunk. You can see why. It looks reminiscent of the steampunk-style bolts, screws, metal pieces, and such.' she explains.
But the hype isn't all about what's being sold. It's what they share and gain as part of a collective of Black female business owners.
'I've been here since the start. Since the store first opened up,' shares Lauren Barley of Light My Candle, Co. Others like Marry Harper were invited to join within the last six months. 'This is inspirational. You have women who are bouncing their ideas off each other. And you're learning'. Harper owns Hapi Yoni a product designed to detox and improve womb circulation.
Instead of viewing this as a competition, they see each other's success as motivation.
'Everyone has an opportunity to be as big and as beautiful as they want to be. There's no restriction whatsoever,' said Candace Simmons also known as Glow. She owns Goddess Glow Botanicals an all-natural skin and body brand. Marple adds, because they each share the expenses to operate the boutique, it doesn't cripple the women financially if their individual sales are down one particular month.
Marple says this is the manifestation of an idea she contemplated for years. The dental hygienist turned fashion designer is credited with fostering a sisterhood where creativity, collaboration, encouragement, and mentoring don't just bloom they blossom.
'We're making history and we're making it together. We're growing and we're showing people this can happen,' she said.
The boutique and gift shop at 539 South Avenue initially opened as Women of Color New York. Marple replaced New York with International to indicate their expansion. The boutique now collaborates with women in other states through the use of an online directory. By the end of the year, they hope to have a total of 20 partners, 15 in the store and five online.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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