Lisa Torrence, of Torrence’s House of Threads, displays wares from the shop she owns with her husband, Elliot. (Photo by Jabril Faraj)

Skip the jam-packed stores and long lines on Black Friday and shop local instead. The Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce is putting on “Black Friday Nights,” an event for the community, sponsored by the community. Designed to encourage residents to invest in local businesses and restaurants, “Black Friday Nights” will feature nearly 100 black vendors with gifts for sale, including handmade jewelry, ethnic-themed artwork, books, natural skincare products and more.

Vendors will be available at the following two locations:

Wisconsin Black Historical Society

2620 W. Center Street, Milwaukee
(414) 933-1652
Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Wisconsin African American Women’s Center

3020 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee
(414) 933-1652
Hours: 5 p.m. – Midnight

In addition, TRUE Skool is sponsoring a Black Friday market where local artists are banding together to provide a shopping experience that will put money back into the community.

TRUE Skool, Inc.

“Circulate” Creative Entrepreneur Market
161 W. Wisconsin Ave, Ste. 1000
(414) 445-9079
Hours: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

For more information, visit the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce website. You can also find more information on TRUE Skool’s “Circulate” event here.