Looking for some good news? My People’s Market is back this weekend, with music, chocolate, jewelry, and so much more. It's the seventh iteration of the annual event, organized and funded by Prosper Portland and Travel Portland, that this year will display work from over 75 BIPOC vendors on NW 8th Ave between NW Davis and NW Flanders St. My People's Market will run from Friday, Aug 6 to Sunday, Aug 8. Tickets are free, but required, so event personnel can manage crowd sizes. 

In addition to vendors, guests can expect cultural performances from groups such as the White Lotus Lion Dancers, music from artists like the Voodoo Dollz, and food from a slew of local restaurants. 

This year’s theme, “In It Together,” nods to the event’s goal of being “a celebration and honoring of all that was lost and all that was born during the pandemic,” per the event website. Here are some vendors that we at Portland Monthly are especially excited to see:

• Bishop & Sons: A roving family owned-and-run bakery that hocks sweet potato ice cream, signature pumpkin loaves, and a strawberry cream-cheese pound cake. My stomach is growling as I type this.
• True Melanin: A small business with the slogan “love your Blackness” that features hand-crafted jewelry, eyelashes, and afro picks.
• Side Hustle Designs: Angelina Crawford started this business after receiving a lot of interest in her designs, which she originally made as a hobby. She makes bright and beautiful handmade jewelry, housewares, and pins that are almost always completely sold out.
• Portland Chocolate Laboratory: This meditation inspired chocolate by PCL founders Kian and Ayomid took five years to perfect . Their different products include sleep butter, mood chocolate, and a taste of the world package that features chocolate recipes from five different countries.