Southside Business Journal Nov 2025 Vol 1 No 4

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B u s i n e s s J o u r n a l

Kwanzaa Community Dinner Returns for 5th Annual Celebration in Jackson

The Southside Festival Series once again offers an annual Kwanzaa community dinner and celebration for the 5th year. For the second year in a row, this year's Kwanzaa Community Dinner will be held at the C-Store Deli at 1202 MLK Jr Blvd at 5pm. The dinner and celebration is open to the public.

Kwanzaa is an annual, non-religious celebration of African-American culture, heritage, and community, observed from December 26th to January 1st. The name comes from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning "first fruits," and the holiday is based on African harvest festival traditions. Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga after the Watts Rebellion, Kwanzaa aims to unite the African-American community and instill pride in Black culture and history.

At the mouth of the MLK Corridor there's a new small business incubator that just hosted its grand opening this past November 22nd. It's called Pop Up Round Up and is located at 224 MLK Jr. Drive at the corner of Washington Blvd next to Sheer Elequence Salon.

There are currently five small businesses operating inside, from everyday household essentials to clothing, jewelry and beauty products The current incubation model offers rental space to each of the businesses on a weekly or monthly pop up lease opportunity. This model allows these businesses flexibility and the chance to build their business at a pace that meets their sales and growth. The hours of operation are 10am to 7pm There is parking along the side parking lot next to Founders as well as in the back along Washington Blvd.

C-Store Deli located at 1202 MLK Jr Drive reopened it's doors after a lengthy Spring and Summer construction project that essentially shut down business operations. But after nearly 7 months the famous buffet deli is back open and excited to continue serving its customers.

The C-Store Deli is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 3pm-8pm and for special event occasions as scheduled. Stop in and help this local walk-in restaurant rebound from the construction project that closed its normal operation for almost a year.

Greatness Brown is a mother, sister, daughter, and devoted woman of faith whose life story reflects resilience, compassion, and determination After losing her mother to leukemia at just fourteen, she was raised by her father, Preston Brown, as the oldest daughter of five an experience that helped shape her strength, leadership, and deep sense of responsibility Rooted in her Christian faith and inspired by the teachings of her grandmother, a fullblooded member of the Pokagon Band Potawatomi Indian tribe, Brown carries forward a belief in perseverance, purpose, and divine timing.

Brown is widely recognized for her commitment to community outreach, youth mentorship, and advocacy for women and minorities. She also raises awareness for sleep apnea in memory of her brother Ritchie, who passed away from the condition in 2021. “Turning pain into purpose is how I honor him,” she shares. In addition to her advocacy work, Brown serves as a brand ambassador for Latricesa Myonne’s The Rich Auntie Collection and Jalyssa Granger’s The Fashion Statement, representing empowering womencentered brands that align with her message of confidence and self-worth

Her influence extends into the world of fashion and pageantry, where she has earned multiple titles, including Miss Exquisite Full Figured USA Michigan 2022, Miss Full Figured USA Michigan Cover Girl 2022, and Detroit Fashion Choice Favorite Model of the Year 2024. She has also appeared in independent film productions, including a role as a nurse in Street Legal and in the neo-soul inspired movie Where She Creeps, currently streaming on Tubi.

Today, Brown continues to expand her platform through modeling, acting, speaking, brand partnerships, and community-focused collaborations “Greatness isn’t just my name,” she says. “It’s the standard I strive to pour back into the world ”

Are you an entrepreneur looking for the perfect place to showcase your goods and services without the commitment of a permanent physical location? This Pop-Up Space is designed for up-and-coming entrepreneurs like you, whether you're in fashion, art, food, or any other business. The flexible space offers the ideal platform to exhibit your offerings and engage your target audience

What makes this space stand out is its versatility. You'll find ample room for creativity and a range of options to display your products effectively. Easily hang merchandise, utilize our glass showcase cabinets for valuable items, and take advantage of our ample folding capacity to customize your space to your brand's aesthetic.

The Pop-Up Space provides a dynamic and vibrant environment, attracting a diverse audience and helping you expand your reach and establish a strong market presence. Benefit from foot traffic and exposure in My Turn Investments strategically chosen prime location.

Don't let the absence of a physical location hold you back. Reserve your spot today and prepare to make a lasting impression on your customers. Your turn to shine starts here!

Key Concepts Counseling & Consulting is proud to announce the opening of our second location in Jackson, Michigan expanding our commitment to accessible, compassionate, and transformative mental health services. Led by Ajaunta Turner, a Licensed Professional Counselor with deep expertise in mental health therapy, Key Concepts continues to serve individuals ages 8 and up with personalized, evidence-based care.

At our new Jackson location, clients will find the same dedication to traumainformed, holistic therapy that has defined Key Concepts since its founding. We specialize in supporting diverse populations, helping individuals overcome barriers that impact their daily lives from generational trauma and grief to behavioral challenges and emotional wellness.

Whether you're seeking support for yourself or a loved one, the Jackson office offers a safe, welcoming space to begin your journey toward healing and personal growth. We believe in unlocking key therapeutic concepts that empower our clients to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives

Now accepting new clients at our Jackson, MI location Let’s build a better tomorrow together.

Local Podcast Highlights Inspiring Stories of Hope and Healing

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