JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One grassroots idea in Jacksonville’s Historic Eastside has grown into a movement that has uplifted Black-owned businesses, brought families together, and turned A. Philip Randolph Boulevard into an economic engine for years.
Dawn Curling, Melanin Collaborative Group CEO, is the woman behind the Melanin Market, which has been bringing the community together for nearly a decade.
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Every year, hundreds of vendors line A. Philip Randolph Boulevard during the Melanin Market.
“There’s probably about 150 vendors, but this year is probably gonna be a little different. We’re probably gonna have at least 200 plus participating in this event because we’re partnering with the CPAC District 1: Urban Core to add on to what we’re doing to bring the community resources from the city of Jacksonville,” she said.
With that collaboration, Curling estimates almost 300 vendors will participate in this year’s event.
The Melanim Market started back in 2017 —not as a planned event, but as a response.
“Initially, there was an organization that came to my business and probably other businesses on the corridor and said that they were going to do a marketplace in this community, and what were our thoughts on how they could bring it to the neighborhood,” Curling said.
When the marketplace happened, it was set up in a way that actually blocked access to the businesses it was meant to support—road-closure signs kept people out, and the activity was located in an area that was mostly just parking.
After witnessing this firsthand, Curling decided to respond with an alternative: the birth of the Melanin Market.
Now, nine years later, that moment of resistance has turned into real results, helping vendors grow from tents into storefronts.
“We have had a mini grant program where we gave over $50,000 to local black businesses who were trying to stimulate growth in their business, where it is other vending opportunities, or it’s certificates, or if it’s products and products or inventory,” Curling said. “We’ve helped them do that.”
The group also created Buy Black Bus Blitz to promote business support.
“We go around to six different black-owned businesses, brick and mortars, and we support their business, and we also go to own restaurant and support their business during the tour,” Curling said.
All in all, Curling hopes people leave the Melanin Market with one takeaway.
“We just want you to come out and intentionally support African American business owners,” Curling said.
The Melanin Market Black History Parade and Market takes over A. Philip Randolph Bvld. on Feb. 28 from 1 to 7 p.m. It’s free for all.