QT Mart
DURATION
12 WEEKS
A queer marketplace
ROLE
CO-FOUNDER
SKILLS
TEAM AND CULTURE BUILDING
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
ACTION RESEARCH
Challenge: Limited support for queer-owned small businesses in the Seattle area.
Solution: Organized a community market uniting these businesses, fostering a strong sense of support and camaraderie. Each market day injects $20,000 into the queer community, providing a significant economic boost.
empathize
Our objective is to establish a thriving community market that showcases and supports queer-owned businesses and artists. This initiative is designed to achieve the following key goals:
Support Diversity: Elevate local BIPOC and small-scale vendors.
Foster Community: Cultivate a sense of belonging and togetherness.
Equitable Compensation: Ensure fair remuneration for all participants.
Inclusive Experience: Create an immersive and affirming environment for the community.
define
In 2022, we collaborated with over 100 LGBTQIA2S+ individuals who contributed as vendors, artists, performers, DJs, and hosts at our markets. We take immense pride in the vibrant talent within our community.
Our engagement with the community remains ongoing through active social media interactions, enabling their involvement in decision-making processes. By collaborating with various partner organizations, our collective outreach extends to a broad audience of 30,000 individuals.
results
For every dollar invested, three dollars are generated towards the LGBTQIA2S+ community
Photo credit: James Gerde