Reviving the Spirit of Rent Parties

At the height of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920’s, a tradition was born out of resourcefulness, celebration, and an unshakable commitment to community—the rent party. Faced with systemic oppression that created housing inequalities, Black tenants found innovative ways to thrive together.

These weren’t somber fundraisers; they were cultural gatherings that turned a challenge into an opportunity. Instead of struggling alone, hosts opened their doors, charged a small entry fee, and turned necessity into a night of music, dancing, and joy. For the price of admission, guests weren’t just attending a party—they were investing in their community and ensuring its success.

Even the invitations had personality. Simple white cardstock, hand-lettered with catchy rhymes and details about the night’s entertainment, spread word of the event. Langston Hughes, fascinated by the artistry of these invites, once wrote:

"When I first came to Harlem, as a poet I was intrigued by the little rhymes at the top of most House Rent Party cards, so I saved them. Now I have quite a collection."

These events weren’t just about paying rent. They were about economic independence, artistic expression, and collective empowerment.

More Than Just A Party

Rent parties didn’t just keep families housed; they fueled the Black arts movement. Some of the greatest musicians of all time—Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, James P. Johnson—got their start playing for crowds packed into Harlem apartments.

These parties were stages, incubators, and creative playgrounds, where musicians experimented, poets performed, and dancers moved with such intensity that they’d literally wear down the carpet.

Ever heard the phrase "cut a rug"? That came straight from these parties. In the packed living rooms of Harlem, when people danced hard enough, their feet literally tore up the carpet. The phrase stuck, becoming slang for dancing with passion.

At their core, rent parties represented the power of collective wealth-building and mutual aid—values that still hold weight today.

The State of Black Business

A century later, the economic landscape has shifted, but the importance of community-driven support has not.

Following the heightened support for Black businesses in 2020, there was a notable increase in the number of Black-owned firms. From 2017 to 2021, the number of Black-owned businesses grew from 124,004 to 161,031, marking a 30% increase. Their gross revenue also saw a significant rise, from an estimated $127.9 billion in 2017 to $183.3 billion in 2021—a 43% surge. (source)

However, true prosperity requires sustained movement, not just momentary momentum. Despite these gains, Black entrepreneurs continue to face disproportionate barriers to funding. In 2022, Black-owned businesses received less than 1% of venture capital dollars. (source)

Additionally, corporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which had provided support to minority-owned businesses, are being scaled back. For instance, companies like Target have recently ended programs aimed at boosting Black suppliers. (source)

Given these challenges, we must rely on what has always worked: investing in each other. Just like Harlem's rent parties, collective action remains the key to lasting success.

Bringing Rent Parties to Black Businesses in Las Vegas

At Poetic Neighbor, we believe that our history is our blueprint. That’s why we’re reimagining the rent party—not just for housing, but for the Black-owned businesses that make our communities strong.

We’re teaming up with Queendom Cultivation for a modern-day rent party, where the focus is on keeping Black businesses growing, evolving, and thriving. Just like Harlem’s rent parties, this will be a night of live music, amazing food, and community-driven impact—because small businesses don’t just need customers. They need investors, supporters, and advocates.

This isn’t charity. It’s an investment. It’s a commitment to building Black wealth, expanding Black entrepreneurship, and ensuring that our businesses don’t just exist—they flourish.

Get to Know the Queendom

Queendom Cultivation is more than a retail shop, it’s a holistic wellness center, a cultural hub, and a testament to the power of vision and purpose.

Founder Jazmine Danielle started her journey in 2016 with a rose quartz crystal, a birthday gift from her partner, Sharique. That single stone sparked a passion for natural healing, crystal energy, and Black entrepreneurship.

What began as an online jewelry shop in 2017 grew into Las Vegas’ first Black-owned crystal shop, built on self-discovery, education, and holistic well-being. The community embraced it, leading to expansion into a 3,000-square-foot space that now offers yoga, sound healing, Reiki, and intuitive readings, alongside its curated collection of crystals and holistic tools.

Queendom Cultivation stands as a reminder of what’s possible when passion meets support—but just like the rent parties of the past, businesses like this can’t thrive without community-driven investment.

Continuing What Works

The same systemic challenges that made rent parties necessary still exist in different forms today. Supporting Black businesses isn’t just about where you shop—it’s about keeping wealth circulating within our community, creating opportunities for Black entrepreneurs, and ensuring that Black cultural and economic contributions continue to expand. Black businesses are more than storefronts; they are centers of culture, sources of employment, and anchors for economic empowerment. When they thrive, we all thrive.

Here’s Where YOU come in…

Rent parties once kept families in their homes. Now, they can keep Black businesses scaling, hiring, and succeeding.

Join us on March 2, 2025 at Queendom Cultivation from 2pm - 6pm for a night that blends history, culture, and collective impact—because when we show up for each other, we all win.

Let’s celebrate, uplift, and invest in the Black businesses that keep Las Vegas thriving.

See you there.