In 1921 a thriving black-owned retail community in Tulsa, Oklahoma known as Black Wall Street, was tragically brought to the ground in a vicious mob-like atmosphere swept through the city. Since that time, numerous efforts have been birthed to re-create the power of the collective force that Black Wall Street afforded to the black community. In 2022, The JDL Group proposes to recreate a similar retail district in Flint, Michigan. The effort, known as the BLAQ Market, is a model of Black Wall Street, which offers a regional destination for family fun, entertainment, retail, grocery shopping and dining. Set among beautifully curated common spaces, made from repurposed shipping containers, there are a proposed 50+ shops, restaurants and open spaces, located within a elegantly designed environment. An extension of Urban Villages™, the BLAQ Market aims to increase the size and number of minority and women-owned businesses. This new retail experience fosters operational excellence in areas such as product offerings, systems utilization, presentation, and customer service. Workforce Training, Entrepreneurial Acceleration, Marketing, Advertising and Digital Sales Support are some of the services available to merchants inside the BLAQ Market.
Circa 1921 ‐ Black Wall Street District – Tulsa, Oklahoma
Inspired by marketplaces around the globe, the BLAQ Market is the backdrop of a greater model known as the Urban Market. Typically set in urban corridors, an Urban Market is a place where talented local merchants, offer their best goods and services. The BLAQ Market is a retail marketplace which connects creators, artists, vendors, entrepreneurs, of predominately African, African American, or Black Hispanic origin, who produce goods and services, inspired from places all over the world. The BLAQ Market is designed to help independent creators, artists, vendors, entrepreneurs, and merchants, sell their goods and services to a broader audience, via a user-friendly, affordable storefront. A local designers’ or artisans’ work is very important. The Urban Market helps them reach a broader audience. April 27th, 2019 ‐ Mayor Sylvester Turner visits the African Community as Wazobia opens largest African grocery store in Greater Houston
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