Thad J. Smith harvests and sells bee-made products like honey at farmers markets and community events on Chicago’s West Side. He likes to educate urban communities on bees and to teach the art of beekeeping.

But this week, the founder and head beekeeper of Westside Bee Boyz has an unusual audience: the delegates and politicos convening in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention. He’s one of several local small business vendors staged at McCormick Place, where a lot of the action outside of the nightly televised event at United Center unfolds, including caucuses, briefings, trainings and panels.

Smith brought live bees to the DNC, and jovially spouted bee facts to everyone stopping by his booth.

When asked how he ended up at the Democratic National Convention, Smith said he wasn’t sure: “I guess the universe loves me.” He received an email invite that he believes came from a connection he made at a local farmers market.

The vendor fair, part of a larger set of events dubbed “DemPalooza,” is reminiscent of a political spin on a Comic Con. Look around and you’ll notice political T-shirts replace the anime costumes of comic book festivals. Walking through the booths, it’s hard to miss a concentration of Black-owned businesses. (The vendor fair is open to the public but be prepared to wait in line.)

Vendor fair organizer Alex Sims-Jones, who owns the public relations firm APS & Associates in Chicago, said that when she worked on Barack Obama’s campaign, staff couldn’t match the excitement on the streets. Vendors made unofficial T-shirts faster than the team could print the official merchandise.

“That’s the sign of a good campaign — when you can’t keep up with the community,” said Jones.
The businesses included in this expo extend far beyond T-shirts. The majority don’t advertise any sort of direct connection or official political affiliation.

Smith said he’s not political. “I don’t care if you’re a Republican or Democrat,” he noted. Smith said he ultimately agreed to the invite because of the exposure to himself and his business. “I’m a Black beekeeper,” said Smith. “There are people in this country that don’t even know we freaking exist.”

But some business owners were excited to be at the DNC and in close proximity to the Harris campaign.

Terrance and Dandria Williams are the founders of Shateria Beauty, a local company with a line of vegan beauty products for natural and curly hair. The married couple’s invite was originally for another reason.

“I was asked to come perform,” said Terrance. “I’m a recording artist. And then we were able to talk about Shateria Beauty being here as well and representing Chicago at the convention.”

The Williams’s said they are Democrats.

“We are voters as well,” said Dandria. “We were honored to be asked to be here because we know that Kamala’s values are our values, and that was very important to us that we were asked.”

At the booth for Nail Issuez Nail Spa, a constant line of visitors waited to get DNC inspired nail designs.

“I have two specialty designs that I do. They’re the Kamala manicures,” said Ebonie Anderson, Nail Issuez owner. “One design has stars and pearls and represents when she [Harris] did the whole Converse and pearls thing. And the other one is a Converse shoe that we designed, and we put like a star and some pearls around the cuticle area.”
With so many Black businesses put in front of national crowds during the DNC, some small business owners wondered aloud how the Democrats would continue to promote Black businesses moving forward.

But for Anderson, the benefit of the event was not about a long term connection or commitment from the party.

“It’s the exposure, the experience above all things,” said Anderson. “You know, just to be a part of something like this in history is absolutely worthwhile.”