Stories for Solidarity, a local grassroots organization focused on art, education and equity for people of color, hosted the ’90s-themed open mic night behind the San Jose Peace and Justice Center one block north of campus on Saturday, featuring various artists and vendors.
The organization was founded by Mikomi Yoshikawa-Baker, a sociology and African American studies senior who is also minoring in human rights at San Jose State.
Yoshikawa-Baker established the organization on June 1 and hosts open mic nights the first Saturday of each month to empower artists and create a space for entrepreneurs to promote
their businesses.
“My goal [for this event is] to have more networking and more good vibes,” Yoshikawa-Baker said. “Open mics are a bit more personal than some of our bigger events, which is really cool because you touch a lot of hearts.”
She said her goal is to use this event to help friends with different business endeavours, who aren’t trained in entrepreneurship or marketing, by providing an opportunity for them to sell and promote products.
“We’re all about equity, empowerment, arts education and entrepreneurship. This is part of that,” Yoshikawa-Baker said. “The reality is, unfortunately, a lot of Black and brown folks don’t get that professional work experience.”
Vendors at the event set up tables in front of fences painted with colorful murals that had phrases like “solidarity” and “grow.”
They sold paintings, crystals, jewelry, handmade candles and smoothies made from sea moss.
“Sea moss is a health supplement that boosts your immune system and is an easy fuel source for your body [that digests] easily,” said Toan Nguyen, a Vallejo native and sea moss entrepreneur. “You get the high level of zinc and potassium which is amazing for mental clarity and brain health.”
Maria Morales, a local crystal vendor, also came out in the cold weather to set up her table. She uses gems to make necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
“I started selling these crystals because they caught my eye and they all have different properties,” Morales said. “If you want love, friendship, good luck, each stone has a meaning.”
While merchants connected with each other and new customers in the dim back parking lot of the justice and peace center, performers lit by blue and teal lights took to the stage.
Vocal performers rapped and sang original songs or original poetry that had a variety of meanings and expressions. Some of the topics the performers touched on ranged from having fun to hardships and social injustice against minorities.
Kyle Francis, a National Association for the Advancement of Colored People San Jose youth chapter president, community organizer, DJ and spoken word poet, was among a number of artists who performed.
“The spoken word piece I created is called ‘Liberation,’ ” Francis said. “I wrote it because this past year, everything from Black Lives Matter to the kids in cages, to Trump being xenophobic towards Asians, I just needed to express all those emotions with all those issues.”
The smell of sage made its way around the outdoor space while people performed spoken word poetry, freestyle rap and celebrated the positive energy of the night. Founder Yoshikawa-Baker said she connected with everyone in attendance. She said she always maintained the same goal for her events before the stages, tables or lights were even set up.
“It’s important to me that Black and brown folks know that wherever they go they are loved and represented,”Yoshikawa-Baker said.
