Fort Collins Community Marketplace to Feature African Artisans and Local Vendors December 4

The Lyric Cinema in Fort Collins will host a free Harambee Marketplace on December 4, offering Northern Colorado residents an opportunity to shop for unique holiday gifts while supporting educational programs for Kenyan youth.

The marketplace, presented by the Sambu Youth Education Fund, will run from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Lyric's downtown location at 1209 North College Avenue. The event is free and open to the public.

The Sambu Youth Education Fund is a nonprofit organization founded in 2018 to provide scholarships, school supplies and mentorship to Maasai youth in Kenya's Sambu region. The organization has maintained a presence in Larimer County since 2019, organizing cultural and educational events throughout Fort Collins.

The Harambee Marketplace concept draws its name from the Swahili word meaning "all pull together." These marketplace events serve as platforms for Black, African and diverse local entrepreneurs to connect with the wider Northern Colorado community.

Previous Harambee Marketplace events at The Lyric have featured handmade art including paintings and jewelry, fair-trade textiles and beaded crafts, African and Afro-diasporic cuisine, books and educational materials, and natural wellness products. Past events have also included musical performances and storytelling sessions alongside vendor booths.

The Lyric Cinema, a locally owned arts venue operating since 1915, regularly hosts multicultural and educational community events. The venue recently announced it will host Goth Santa on December 7 during the Family Band Holiday Market.

The December 4 marketplace aims to provide shoppers with alternatives to traditional retail during the holiday season while raising awareness and support for international educational equity programs.