Market Friday was founded by the Spelman College Student Government Association to provide scholarships for students towards meals, books, and parking. It was also designed to bring the Atlanta University Center (AUC), which includes a community encompassed with Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Clark Atlanta University, together with music played by a hired DJ, food, vendors and games from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Approximately 300 students from the AUC attend Market Friday, and the number varies depending on the events happening during a particular week. They attend looking to support local vendors, purchase goods, support registered student organizations, interact socially with their friends, or even watch the Greek organizations stroll. There are usually unveilings for pageants, presentations from student organizations, karaoke, dance battles, occasional photo booths, shopping, raffles, and other activities.

This year’s Market Friday director is Adia Moss, a senior political science major, secondary education minor at Spelman College.

Her job consists of planning each and every Market Friday with the help of her committee. She registers vendors, makes sure everyone is abiding by policies, organizes any presentations from organizations, and assists with the closing portion of Market Friday. She is also responsible for some of the vendors who come on campus, since she reaches out to them, especially if the owners are black. She comes up with different strategies to increase vendor participation and student involvement initiatives. Adia said, “I know we’ve had a great Market when 5 o’clock hits and we have a sold crowd and students aren’t ready to go home.”

Any business owner is allowed to be a vendor at this event. That includes students from all of the schools here in the AUC or even a vendor from surrounding communities. However, there are limitations on what can be sold on the Spelman College campus. Registration for vendors occurs every Friday, unless Market is cancelled, from 10 to 12. Some featured vendors include:

• G.U.A.G.G.I. (Gwah-G) Sportswear & Apparel Clothing which stands for Get Up And Go Get It, founded by Jason Taylor. It inspires to encourage people to always work hard for what they want every day to see success after the plight we will have to take to gt there. This business can be found and contacted on Instagram @guaggi, at sales@guaggi.com, or (716) 812 – 0345.
• God Is Dope, a Christian-based lifestyle brand that inspires to bring awareness to God in their own way. 10% of all sales go back to a charity of this brand's choice.This business can be found on Instagram @GodIsDope_ or online at GodIsDope.com.
• I Love College Clothing, a brand that inspires students to go to college via fashion and concerts. They believe "that education gives you a passport to a better life, and they partner with non-profit organizations and educational institutions on ILoveCollege Concerts that empower students and spread the message that school is cool." This business can be found on Instagram @iLoveCollegeClothing, contacted at info@ilovecollege.org, or online at ilovecollegeclothing.com.

The last Market Friday for the fall semester will be Nov. 20, 2015, and the last Market Friday for the entire 2015-2016 academic year will be Apr. 29, 2015. The plus side is that this event occurs whether it rains or it shines. It will only be cancelled during holidays, when a career fair occurs, and on research days.

Will you be at the next Market Friday?