Eastside hosts sixth annual Melanin Market, Black History Parade
It was originally called Florida Avenue.
In 1995, the City of Jacksonville renamed the Eastside street A. Philip Randolph Boulevard after the nationally lauded Civil Rights leader — and local hero — Asa Philip Randolph.
This Saturday, Feb. 19, participants will honor the trail he blazed as they walk down his boulevard in Melanin Market’s sixth annual Black History Parade, celebrating many other local African American community pioneers.
“African Americans have made considerable contributions to the history and development of Jacksonville,” said parade and market co-organizer Dawn Curling. “So it’s pertinent for us to be doing what we’re doing and to honor those people who came before us… There’s just so much rich history here that people don’t even know because these are not taught in our schools; we wouldn’t know that all these people grew up in this neighborhood.”
The parade will begin at Lot J on Adams Street, following A. Philip Randolph Boulevard and end at the Melanin Market, also celebrating its sixth anniversary, where shoppers can peruse and support local Black-owned businesses and non-profit organizations.
Among the parade participants this year are members of the undefeated 1958 Matthew Gilbert High School all-Black football team who would wait 50 years to receive their letterman jackets and championship rings for their previously unrecognized accomplishments. Also joining in the parade is Civil Rights activist, Black historian, author and Jacksonville native Rodney L. Hurst, Sr.
Curling and her co-organizer Angie Nixon launched the Melanin Market (then called the Eastside Arts and Vendors Market) in 2017 as a platform that “highlights minority-owned businesses’ products and services and provides a setting for fellowship with customers and the community,” according to their website.
Six years later, that mission has grown to quarterly markets held on or around significant dates for the African American community and small business owners — February in honor of Black History month — where they incorporated their Black History parade — Juneteenth, Black Friday and a rotating “Wild Card” market with varying themes.
“It’s really amazing to see all the change take place and then it’s taking place…where my mother and father grew up, it means so much,” Curling added. “I’m a third generation business owner, born and raised out east, Eastside. Both my grandparents attended schools and churches in this community. So for me to be able to maintain the grounds that they lay before, it’s a great honor.”
Small business owner and military veteran Veronica Jennings has participated in the market since it first began. Her business — Glory Covering LLC — produces and sells organic, natural hair care products free of any of the harsh chemicals that can have adverse effects both on one’s hair and on one’s overall health.
Because she is home-based, she says she relies on the Internet, social media and markets to promote her products and connect her with new or returning customers.
She says these quarterly Melanin markets are “really wonderful because it’s — I really enjoy connecting with people and building relationships with people and as far as Glory Covering’s concerned, I love sharing my passion with the products that I sell with you.”
Curling and Nixon work with a small group of volunteers to organize, plan and run their markets every three months and Curling says as soon as one ends, planning for the next one begins. In addition to organizing these markets, Curling is small-business owner herself and Nixon is the Florida State representative for District 14. To say they have their hands full would be an understatement.
Curling added, however, that she’s already looking ahead, to what they can add to the experience for both guests and business owners.
“I’ve had people cry on the phone and tell me how much impact this market makes for them,” she said. “I mean, some people say they’ve vended so many places, but this market they fit in…It’s the authentic ambience of everything that’s happening at this market. They’re making money, they’re dancing in the street, and they’re having fun and the kids are having fun. It’s just a win for everyone.”
The Melanin Market will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 822 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. The parade will begin at noon.
By Michele Leivas
Resident Community News
Photos courtesy of the Melanin Market
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