It all began in 2016 with The Black Owned Business Block Party. Developed as an affordable platform for Black Business Owners to connect with consumers interested in strengthening the Black dollar while cultivating a family-friendly, authentic, and unapologetically Afrocentric community environment. Effectively the original festival for Black Owned Businesses impacting and celebrating Black Futures.

After nearly a decade of supporting Black Owned Businesses and expanding into an exhibition of the elements of Hip Hop (DJing, MCing, Break Dancing, Graffiti, Fashion & Style, Entrepreneurship, Community & Culture, History & Knowledge); “Tha Block Party” evolved into so much more than a showcase of Black businesses, into a proving ground for musicians, creatives and artists. A space for mouth watering food and entertainment options so vast that it exceeded the parking lot of Flanner House and spilled into the streets. It became an exhibition of not just our power as producers and consumers, but a celebration of all the things we do amazingly well. All the things Black folks “Ate Down” as it were. So each August we celebrate Black Futures. The creators. The curators. The community. So one question remains.

Are you still DOWN?