Black on the Block, one of the largest touring marketplaces for Black-owned businesses in the country, is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a Juneteenth event featuring live music, food, giveaways and more than 150 vendors on Saturday, June 13, at Los Angeles Center Studios.<\/p>\n
The event, scheduled from 1 to 7 p.m., marks five years since sisters Lanie and Char Edwards launched the marketplace in 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
Black on the Block started with a single event in Pasadena around Juneteenth, after Lanie Edwards began to see the gap in the market for Black-owned businesses.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI started as a small business owner myself. I have a clothing line, and I was participating in pop-ups,\u201d Lanie Edwards said. \u201cI noticed the lack of visibility for Black-owned businesses at those pop-ups in LA, and so that\u2019s what gave me the idea to start my own.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her sister, Char Edwards, who worked in costume design, hair and makeup, joined shortly after. She said she also noticed the \u201cdisconnect\u201d when it came to Black-owned businesses being represented at events and wanted to help \u201cfill it.\u201d<\/p>\n
What was originally intended to be a one-time Juneteenth event quickly grew after about 70 vendors signed up for the first marketplace.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was very intimate, and then it just grew every month to something bigger,\u201d Lanie Edwards said. \u201cWe never expected it to be this big at all \u2026 the demand made us keep going.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sisters, originally from Pittsburgh, have lived in Los Angeles for about 10 years and now host Black on the Block events every other month in LA while also touring nationally. The marketplace has expanded to cities including Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago and Charlotte.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a tour \u2026 we\u2019re definitely doing the tour life now, but LA is always home. We love it here. The energy here is the best for sure,\u201d Char Edwards said.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s fifth anniversary and Juneteenth celebration will include a food court, live performances and vendors selling apparel, jewelry, books, art, home decor and other products. The event will also feature a kid zone with inflatable and digital games, a VIP rooftop section for guests 21 and older and several community activations.<\/p>\n
Among the activations are pop-up tennis courts, giveaways and photo opportunities hosted by the U.S. Tennis Association, as well as a Disneyland Resort interactive activation featuring themed photo stations, family-friendly crafts and giveaways. Black Girl Sunscreen will also offer free product samples, and Tempo Moves will host a free dance workshop.<\/p>\n
The performers this year include five-time Grammy-nominated R&B artist Kenyon Dixon and singer-songwriter Jacquees.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a good touch of LA in there with also a touch of everything else,\u00a0 too, but it\u2019s definitely a full-day experience,\u201d Lanie Edwards said. \u201cWhen you come, you\u2019re there all day enjoying it.\u201d<\/p>\n
When selecting participating vendors, Char Edwards explained that they prioritize originality and packaging more than anything.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to have a lot of followers at all \u2026 that doesn\u2019t really matter,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s more so like how you present your brand \u2026 and the quality of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sisters said they typically receive between 300 and 400 vendor applications for each marketplace but narrow the selection down to a little more than 150 businesses and brands. Last year alone, Black on the Block generated more than $4 million in shopper spending directed toward Black-owned businesses across the country, they explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the goal,\u201d Lanie Edwards said. \u201cTo keep that up.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the marketplace continues expanding nationally, the sisters said one of the biggest challenges has been securing venues in some cities.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of places don\u2019t want to host Black events, and if they do, they definitely tax us more than they would a similar event,\u201d Char Edwards said.<\/p>\n
Despite those challenges, the sisters said their focus remains on creating a welcoming environment that celebrates Black entrepreneurship, culture and community. They estimate that about 6,000 attendees will attend this year\u2019s anniversary and Juneteenth event. Although their goal is to uplift Black-owned businesses, they welcome everyone who supports the same mission.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want everyone to come, because the whole point is to come support these businesses,\u201d Char Edwards said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe always just hope to be a safe space for people to come enjoy and celebrate Black culture,\u201d Lanie Edwards said. \u201cIt\u2019s really a celebration of entrepreneurship and culture.\u201d<\/p>\n
The event is family-friendly, and tickets can be purchased through the Black on the Block app, Universe or at the door through card payment only. Children 12 and younger get in for free. More information is available at blackxtheblock.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Black on the Block 5th Anniversary and Juneteenth Celebration<\/p>\n WHEN: Saturday, June 13, 1 to 7 p.m.<\/p>\n WHERE: Los Angeles Center Studios,<\/p>\n 500 S. Bixel Street, Los Angeles<\/p>\n COST: $20<\/p>\n