LOUISVILLE, Ky. — One of the largest Juneteenth celebrations in Louisville brought large crowds to Fourth Street Live! this weekend. Hosted by MELANnaire Marketplace, the second annual festival spanned two days and had over 150 Black-owned vendors.
“It’s Juneteenth and we are excited for about liberation and freedom for all and we want to bring it together with a festival for the whole entire community,” Nachand Trabue, founder and CEO of MELANnaire Marketplace said. “We have some many amazing Black-owned businesses here and we are excited to have a wonderful festival.”
For business owners like Glenda Nelson, who runs Mz. Dazzles Custom Blingz & Thingz, this weekend was a hit.
She sells custom shirts and hats and says her Juneteenth-related designs have been very popular.
Nelson says the success of the MELANnaire Marketplace, which helps grow Black-owned businesses, is a big reason she’s returned to this annual festival.
“We know that people are going to hear MELANnaire Marketplace. They may not hear Mz. Dazzles and just be excited to show up, but when they hear MELANnaire Marketplace they are going to come,” Nelson said.
For business owners like Glenda Nelson, who runs Mz. Dazzles Custom Blingz & Thingz, this weekend was a hit.
She sells custom shirts and hats and says her Juneteenth-related designs have been very popular.
Nelson says the success of the MELANnaire Marketplace, which helps grow Black-owned businesses, is a big reason she’s returned to this annual festival.
“We know that people are going to hear MELANnaire Marketplace. They may not hear Mz. Dazzles and just be excited to show up, but when they hear MELANnaire Marketplace they are going to come,” Nelson said.
The MELANnaire Marketplace has given Nelson an avenue to grow her business. They’ve done the same thing for each of the vendors here. Helping the next generation of Black business owners find their own success one customer at a time.
MELANnaire Marketplace started during the pandemic and has grown significantly in just a few years. The Marketplace also works closely with community organizations like the Louisville Urban League and had multiple venue spaces in Louisville.