The Melanin Market – its many contributions
Along with the Juneteenth Festival, The Melanin Market has hosted a variety of events including business expos, Jazz on the Ave., the Black Friday Market and the Buy Black Business Blitz Tour – occurring in July. The success of the Melanin Market is highlighted within the Jacksonville community with back-to-school giveaways granted to over 1,000 children, mini-grants of over $70,000 for local initiatives, educating over 500 small businesses through business education workshops, seasonal festivals and guided tours honoring a former, successful African American community. The Jax Melanin Market is a non-profit collective of black-owned businesses igniting pride, unity and culture in this local community. This organization started out as an intuitive advocate for inclusivity and blossomed into a driver of culture and community in the Eastside. (excerpts from June Folio, p. 11)