The Melanin Market held their third annual ‘The Real Black Friday,” arts and vendors market was held over the weekend with plenty of fanfare for eastside residents.
A. Philip Randolph Blvd was lined with over 75 Black owned businesses and nonprofit organizations showcasing their wares along the street and sidewalks. Hundred of patrons perused vendors booths while enjoying the night air filled with local artist, entertainers and educational and health programming information for the community residents.
The goal of the Melanin Market is to provide a neighborhood marketplace that provides fresh food options, increase small business exposure and revitalize an empowerment zone area through initiatives for economic development. The Eastside area is an historical area that was once the black Mecca of thriving businesses and homeowners. Known as “out-east,” the street was named after Asa Philip Randolph, an American labor unionist, civil rights activist, and socialist politician.
“I’m proud of the melanin market, we’ve grown in three years and we plan to revitalize this area, business by business,” said resident Shalonda West, shown creating a colorful art poster with residents in the real hood!
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