“Real Housewives of Atlanta” stars Cynthia Bailey and Eva Marcille are giving back to their fellow black business owners.
The model duo have teamed up with Seagram’s Escapes for its first Holiday Marketplace highlighting black-owned companies from around the country. According to Marcille, the move is an excellent way to revive the businesses of those hit hardest financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As business owners, we noticed the disproportionate numbers in which African-Americans are losing their businesses, and not just having a hard time, but completely losing businesses that they’ve been working on for years,” Marcille told us. “I mean, there are millions of us on unemployment.”
The soon-to-be-married Bailey added, “By the grace of God, my businesses are still afloat and I’m still able to pay employees, but there was a point where I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do that, so I’m just so happy to use my voice to help other black business owners.”
Marcille added that once Bailey — who already had a relationship with Seagram’s via her “Peach Bellini” beverage — asked her to join in promoting the Holiday Marketplace, it was an “easy yes.”
“It’s really dope because it brings awareness to black-owned businesses that you might not have known about,” she said. “It creates a space for them to thrive and to be highlighted during the holiday season.”
In addition to their businesses being promoted by Cynthia and Eva, three participating companies will receive a $10,000 grant to take their companies to the next level.
As for black-owned businesses they already support, Bailey loves both Mielle Organics and “RHOA” co-star Kenya Moore’s hair care line. She’ll also be bringing more black-owned wines to her Bailey Wine Cellar store in Atlanta.
Marcille, meanwhile, swears by popular jewelry boutique Frugal Finds NYC.
Black business owners are encouraged to sign up for the sign up for Seagram’s Escapes’ Holiday Marketplace by Oct. 15.