Geoff Killebrew wants to bring Worcester into a renaissance where vendors and street performers who are Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) are able to become entrepreneurs.
This year, Killebrew’s vision will enter a new phase with the opening of the Worcester Renaissance Market.
The Worcester Renaissance Market is a market that will open on March 28 at the Rockland Trust Plaza in Worcester, according to Killebrew. The market will feature a variety of vendors and host cultural and family events, such as a dog owners meet-up, Killebrew said.
The purpose of the market is to serve as a hub for vendors and street performers — exposing them to the high amounts of foot traffic near Polar Park and support them in their efforts to build entrepreneurships in what they do.
“What we’re trying to do is create an opportunity for ethnic minorities to benefit from this,” Killebrew said. “The foot traffic, the tourism and actually impact tourism to bring attention to the city, create vibrancy in our city streets.”
The plaza, located at 45 Green St., is adjacent to Polar Park. Killebrew was accepted by the city to operate the space, according to Tom Matthews, a spokesperson for City Manager Eric D. Batista.
The market’s opening day will be in conjunction with the Worcester Red Sox opening day game, Killebrew told MassLive. He said the market would operate four days a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. On Sundays, the space will be rented to the community, Killebrew said.
“What we’re talking about is small business incubation,” Killebrew said. “What we are trying to do for these entrepreneurs is to create opportunities for them. Not just having to wait on special events but be able to operate on their own and in their own community.”
The market is part of Killebrew’s Worcester Renaissance Project — a project he started in 2019 to increase city-wide access for street vendors and performers to help their businesses.
“The Worcester Renaissance Project is about helping ethnic minorities start and operate their businesses in public spaces,” Killebrew said. “One of these opportunities will be at our renaissance market at Rockland Trust Plaza.”
Killebrew’s renaissance involves the entire city of Worcester, not just in specific areas. While some areas in Worcester, such as the Canal District, have been able to collect revenue thanks to the construction of new apartments, Killebrew says that some areas, such as Canterbury Street, have not seen such benefits.
Killebrew said that Canterbury Street and other parts have been subjected to the discriminatory practice known as redlining. The practice results in neighborhoods — historically neighborhoods occupied by Black people and other minorities — being denied services, such as credit from banks or the construction of supermarkets.
With the Worcester Renaissance Project, Killebrew seeks to give those from redlined communities a chance to build their success.
Inspired by the Harlem Renaissance of the early 20th century, Killebrew wants to turn Worcester into a place where Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities can pass down wealth and skills to the next generation — countering historic injustice as a result of redlining.
“A renaissance is not about the buildings, it’s about the people,” Killebrew said. “And what they are willing to do is support those who have been most impacted by this practice.”
The project has received vocal support from business owners and artists in Worcester who share Killebrew’s vision to see more vendors and performers in the city. The Worcester City Council voted unanimously on supporting the project during a council meeting in March 2024.
“This brings energy to the city by allowing street vendors and citizens to engage in the City of Worcester,” Mayor Joseph Petty previously told MassLive.
In addition to the market, Killebrew is hosting a gala on Feb. 8, at 125 Providence St. in Worcester where an announcement of the market’s launch will officially be held.
“Our mission is to bring and host events that support artists and entrepreneurs from historically redlined communities and bring awareness to other organizations that serve youth and families,” Killebrew said. “So I am very specific about our mission.”
