Karla Ferguson of Yeelen Group next to Toni Morrison portrait by Tim Okamura in Spike Lee Collection
Miami Shops & Galleries
The Miami Shops & Galleries owned by African-American-owned were severely challenged by the pandemic. The Yeelen Group is anchoring a comeback.
Yeelen Group
DESCRIPTION: In this art gallery opened by Karla Ferguson, Yeelen means “Brightness” in Bambara, a West African dialect. For many years, Yeelen’s was a quintessential corner shop that was a fixture in Little Haiti’s landscape where community life plays out. The gallery moved to this larger 10,000-square-foot space enabling larger exhibitions and special events. When open, the gallery is vibrantly animated and offers many characters like the shop owner, the talker, Casanova, the baller, and of course, the art collector. If you are looking for evocative high-quality art, let Karla of Yeeln Group help you.
DAYS & HOURS: appt only
ADDRESS: 294 54th Street, NW, Miami, FL MAP
PHONE: 954-235-4758
WEBSITE: https://www.yeelengroup.com
Out of Africa
DESCRIPTION: A premiere African store in Miami featuring music, djembes, jewelry and adornment, spears, Massai wedding collars, chairs, stools, mud cloth from Mali, Dogon doors, reliquaries, Moroccan platters, and authentic masks from 17 countries including among others tribal masks from the Igbo, Guro, Nyamwezi, Yoruba, Bobo, Baoule, Dogon, Senufo, Fang, Kwele, and Bambara. It also offers incense, oils, soaps, African shea butter, and tropical clothing in the Coconut Grove shopping district.
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a-5p
ADDRESS: 2911 Grand Avenue, Miami, FL MAP
PHONE: 305-445-5900
WEBSITE: none
Little Havana To Go
DESCRIPTION: One of the best Cuban souvenir stores in South Florida with everything from cigars, coffee, flags, T-shirts, and ‘bones; also features author readings, cultural events, and a healthy complement of cards, posters, and gift items
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-6p, Sun 10a-4p
ADDRESS: 1442 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL MAP
PHONE: 305-857-9720
WEBSITE: none
Caribbean Marketplace
DESCRIPTION: Haitian immigrants make this collection of street-side open-air kiosks a colorful shopping and people place
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-9p, Sun 10a-7p
ADDRESS: 5925-27 2nd Avenue, NE, Miami, FL MAP
PHONE: 305-751-2251
WEBSITE: none
Pages of Life Bible Bookstore and Record Shop
DESCRIPTION: Bibles, other books, audio and video cassettes of sermons, and Black gospel music from traditional to contemporary
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Fri 10:30a-6p, Sat 10:30-6p
ADDRESS: 13747 7th Avenue, NW, Miami, FL MAP
PHONE: 305-688-5712
WEBSITE: none