By Ivy Rockmore PZ ’27

On Feb. 3 Pitzer College’s Black Student Union (BSU) hosted the second edition of PZ Black Flea, gathering student artists, organizers, and shoppers to uplift and empower the Black creative community on campus. The vibrant flea market provided a space specifically for Black students at Pitzer and Black vendors from across the state to sell artwork, vintage clothing, crafts, and more.

The PZ Black Flea began last semester under the direction of founder and lead organizer, Hannah Chimpampwe PZ ’26 Chimpampwe’s work included delegating work and serving as the main point person for the PZ Black Flea working group, which organized the logistical aspects of the event alongside administration and staff.

Working group member Bee Joyner PZ ’25, who created maps, designed tote bags, and communicated with vendors for fees, mutual aid work, and contracts, praised Chimpampwe for the amount of dedication she put into the event.

“She actively put in so much work in finding funding for this event and executing it,” Joyner said. Joyner created maps, designed tote bags, and communicated with vendors for fees, mutual aid work, and contracts in preparation for the event.

Vendor William Marshall PZ ’25, who sold clothing at the event, described what it was like to observe the planning process from start to finish.

“I saw it go from just a rough idea or like a weird sales pitch to materializing before my eyes, which is kind of like one of the most amazing things I’ve experienced being here,” Marshall said..

Vendors like Marshall expressed deep appreciation for the organizers who envisioned and brought the PZ Black Flea to life. According to Marshall, the organizers brought thoughtful intention to creating tangible benefits for Black students on campus.

“I have an incredible amount of respect and admiration for everyone who plans events like these because they materially improve the lives of Black people and give opportunities for those who really need it to improve their own livelihoods,” Marshall said. “Especially in a place like Pitzer, that has such a dense population of the wealthiest, most privileged people around, the organizers worked to bring artists in to get their own profit from it.”

Chimpampwe created the event with similar interests in and appreciation for uplifting the work of Black student-artists.

“I think having an event like this at the 5Cs is important because Black students don’t always have the space to be themselves and show off their talents and crafts at these institutions, so I wanted to make an event that gave Black students the opportunity to do so,” Chimpampwe said.

The bustling marketplace drew students searching for community along with art. 

“Hannah wanted a lot of students to participate — not just LA vendors, but the Black community in Claremont to platform their own ideas, their own creativity,” Marshall said.

Vendor Evann Penn Brown PZ ’25, founder of small business Rockface Ink (@rockface.inc on IG), values the welcoming atmosphere that PZ Black Flea fosters.

“It’s so great to have a space where you’re outside and you’re in the air and you look around and it’s Black people,” Penn Brown said. “There’s such an easy sense of community.”

Joyner agreed. Noting from their personal experiences as a Black individual at a predominantly white institution, Black students’ creative work often goes unnoticed.

“The PZ Black Flea enables us to feel inspired to amplify the voices and creative nature of the Black people around us,” Joyner said. “We rarely platform those voices or business. It’s also important that you buy from small businesses generally.

As both a vendor and shopper, Penn Brown found connection through admiring others’ work.

“I had a bunch of really, really sweet people shop my art,” Penn Brown said. “I just got sent a picture of somebody wearing my stuff. It’s a great way to meet and connect with people.”

Despite the cold weather, organizers like Joyner felt gratitude for the amount of community support. Chimpampwe agreed, noting the turnout was higher than last semester’s. 

“This event was even better than the first one,” Chimpampwe said. “A lot of Black students and non-Black people across the 5Cs showed up and it was a great way to start BHM [Black History Month]. Everyone loved the vendors and performers.”.

Marshall also described the fulfillment in providing visibility for creativity that often goes underappreciated on campus. Marshall resells his thrifted clothing with his brand Will’s Wardrobe (@wm_bepop on IG), aiming to value pieces as the unique works of art he sees them as.

“Artists are kind of like the lifeblood of any community that they enter,” Marshall said. “There’s a lot of amazing talent and creativity and amazing creations happening on these campuses every day that isn’t really recognized.”

According to Marshall, the PZ Black Flea also enables young entrepreneurs to build sustainable small businesses. At the same time, it serves as a platform for community organizing.

“The Flea is a valuable environment for political and community organizing,” Marshall said. “Politically, the vendors at the Flea can use their space to spread information about their causes.” 

Penn Brown noted the variety of vendors sourcing materials ethically.

“A lot of the vendors’ work is really sustainable,” Penn Brown said. “At least for me, I thrift all the clothes [that I sell].”

Penn Brown is a student in Pitzer Professor Laura Harris’ course “B(L)ack to Nature: Poetry & Theory” class. Students in Harris’ class made sugar scrubs to sell at the flea, and they’re now able to use that money to fund a community garden.

“For the sugar scrubs, we made that in-house; we had the rose leaves and we picked some lavender,” Penn Brown said. “I think it’s very important to highlight how inherently great that is for the environment. It’s not just about personal money-making, it’s funding for greater causes.”

As the PZ Black Flea gathers momentum after its first year, the creative energy on campus promises an even brighter future for the event. Penn Brown envisions more collaboration and community participation as the market becomes a staple platform.

“No pressure on anyone, but I hope it honestly grows,” Penn Brown said. “Having vendors come in from outside the community too, is just such a great way to get to know people and get access to more things.”

Meanwhile, Marshall encouraged more student artists to participate as vendors in future PZ Black Flea markets. They wish for the event to showcase even more of the exceptional skill and passion already flowing through campus.

“I think that a lot of people are afraid to be vendors and show off their talents out of judgment, but also out of fear of not being able to find a community or find people to engage with what they create.”

As the PZ Black Flea gains momentum, Joyner celebrates its potential as a mode of economic justice.

“A part of equity, generally, is distributing wealth in spaces that deserve it as well,” Joyner said. “PZ Black Flea is an amazing, radical space if you truly think about it.”