The North Lawndale community welcomed “The Black Wall Street On Roosevelt” outdoor market’s reopening. It will open every Saturday from June 4, 2022, through September 10, from noon to 6 p.m.
Lavern Herron, the market’s founder, looks forward to residents having the opportunity to keep their money in the community. In addition, the North Lawndale business owner is hopeful they will attract more vendors and customers than last year.
Herron expressed concerns about the many vacant storefronts along Roosevelt Road. Without these stores, North Lawndale residents must leave their community to buy needed products and services.
“Black Wall Street On Roosevelt” offers consumers options.
The emergence of the coronavirus forced an entrepreneurial spirit to develop in North Lawndale residents. Pivot Style, a plus-size clothing boutique, is one of the vendors representing every year during the market.
Another “Black Wall Street On Roosevelt” market vendor is Quianda James, known to many as KiKi the Jeweler and owner of Gaia Designs by Q. Her business focuses on holistic healing and traditional herbal medicine. James got into herbal medication to manage her anxiety without relying on pharmaceutical meds.
James stated:
I was really looking into natural ways of healing and trying to find ways of adjusting without using medications. It’s our way of life. The business is secondary.
She is excited about vending on Chicago’s West Side. Her company offers crystals, jewelry, herbs, and essential oils that clients can use for pain, anxiety, and other ailments.
This pop-up market borrowed its name from the Black Wall Street district in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was a very wealthy Black community until a white mob burned it in 1921.
Black Wall Street gained national attention when the 100th anniversary of the self-sustaining Black community was commemorated in 2021.
During this time, racist violence was on the rise in the United States. During the Red Summer of 1919, violent incidents and riots killed hundreds of Black people.
This type of racial tension is present today in 2022. If the past mistakes are not recognized, the chances of repeating them are inevitable.
If circulating the Black dollar in the community is something of interest, join local businesses for the “Black Wall Street on Roosevelt” pop-up outdoor market every Saturday through September 10, from noon to 6 p.m.
Written by Omari Jahi
Edited by Sheena Robertson
Source:
Austin Weekly News: North Lawndale’s Black Wall Street returns to Roosevelt this summer; by Igor Studenkov
Block Club Chicago: West Side Entrepreneurs Aim To Recreate’ Black Wall Street’ With Weekly Pop-Up Market; by Pascal Sabino
CNBC: ‘Black Wall Street’: The history of the wealthy Black community and the massacre perpetrated there 100 years ago; by Tom Huddleston Jr.
Feature and Top Image Courtesy of Michigan Municipal League’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
First Inset Image by Michael Rivera Courtesy of Wikimedia – Creative Commons License
Second Inset Image Courtesy of ArchiTexty’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
