This weekend, Neffi Walker will finally open the doors of her flagship store for The Black Home. Located in Newark, New Jersey, the 2,000-square-foot space serves as a hub for a seasonal rotation of Black-owned vendors and creators in addition to Neffi’s own line, which includes everything from wallpaper and flatware to bath and body products. The Afro-Latina designer’s passion for cultural restoration is reflected in every fiber of her intentional work, but most notably through her tasteful eye for curation. Considering how Newark is one of the few remaining Black cities in the region, Neffi seized the opportunity to preserve a piece of the community in the wake of gentrification—so it’s quite literally for the culture.
“Owning a store displaying products of The Black Home that shines light on our culture has been a dream of mine," Neffi said in an email. "Having the ability, space and platform to incorporate small, minority businesses so that they too can gain more exposure in brick and mortar is truly the icing on the cake.”
The grand opening of The Black Home takes place on Juneteenth, and in the true essence of the holiday, Neffi is hosting a block party with a full lineup that includes special appearances from icons like Dapper Dan—she grew up living next door to his brownstone in Harlem—and the activist Tamika Mallory. The mayor of Newark will also be present for the ribbon cutting, so it’s a ceremony that shouldn't be missed.
