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“People Were Actually Overwhelmed”: Post 21 Founders Discuss Their Impact on Downtown Disney District

post 21
Credit: Disney

Post 21 is a new marketplace in Downtown Disney District that features products from Black creators and entrepreneurs, and that is being highlighted by Disneyland during the Celebrate Soulfully event and Black History Month. Krystal Rhaburn, a Communications Specialist for Disneyland Resort, shared an interview with the founders of Post 21 on the Disney Parks Blog — and since the founders of this story are a mother and her daughter, their story is particularly unique!

The “mother-daughter duo” includes daughter Blair Paysinger and mother Juana Williams, and their Post 21 business is officially open to customers in Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort! The business is named after Tulsa, which is “Oklahoma’s thriving Greenwood District” and is apparently “known as Black Wall Street”.

In 1921, Black Wall Street was deliberately set on fire during the Tulsa Race Massacre; now, Blair and Juana think of their business as a way to “help support and amplify the work of current Black entrepreneurs” in a world that is “post ’21”.

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We are honored to have Post 21 at DowntownDisney. #Disney #DisneyParks #Disneyland #BlackTikTok #SupportBlack #BlackHistoryMonth

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The Post 21 cart is located right across from World of Disney, and its merchandise is a mixture of “home, style and wellness items under a brand the duo describes as modern, inclusive and focused on intentional shopping”. Products are specifically sourced from Black-owned businesses, especially smaller lesser-known brands. Blair recommends the “clear quartz tiaras” to anyone looking for some Disney princess magic!

Jewelry on display at Post 21

Jewelry on display at Post 21 Credit: Disney Parks Blog

“Previously, you’d have to remember all the Black-owned brands that you would find or see –– a process that my mom compares to using the Yellow Pages –– so bringing a collection of them into one place that people want to go to is really important to me,” Blair told the Disney Parks Blog. The mother and daughter initially opened Post 21 online in June of 2020, and Downtown Disney District management reached out to the business owners in 2021.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to feature businesses that better reflect the diversity of our Guests and we were so excited when we found Post 21,” Disney California Adventure Park Central General Manager Robert Clunie said. Clunie had been in charge of Downtown Disney District business relations during Post 21’s introduction.

Artwork and products on display at Post 21

Artwork and products on display at Post 21 Credit: Disney Parks Blog

“It is significant because they are the first Black-owned operating participant at Downtown Disney District and they represent what we will continue to build on, which is to seek out and partner with vendors and suppliers that represent the communities we live in and serve,” Clunie added.

Blair and Juana in front of Post 21

Blair and Juana in front of Post 21 Credit: Disney Parks Blog

Post 21 officially opened in November of 2021 in Downtown Disney District, which was a surprise to the duo since neither of them had planned on having a physical location for their store, and the establishment is open again now after a brief break during the holidays!

Apparently, the brand’s previous customers and followers are not the only ones who have been excited for Post 21; Disneyland Guests “have expressed excitement about seeing more Black representation and culture at Downtown Disney”.

“There have been a number of times where people were actually overwhelmed that we’re here,” Juana said in the interview. “They’ll share how happy they are to see us [Black owners] and our products, but they’ll also say, ‘you have no idea what this means.’ Those moments are so amazing and special.”

Have you shopped at Post 21 yet?

 

About Sharon

Sharon is a writer and animal lover from New England. Sharon's two main focuses in her work are Disney's correlations with pop culture and the significance of Disney princesses (which was the basis for her college thesis). When she's not writing about Disney, Sharon spends her time singing, dancing, and cavorting with woodland creatures!

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