SouthsideBusinessJournal
A community is a thriving social culture. It is a place where families raise their children and hope to explore a rich and culturally vibrant community that affords safety, inspiration and enjoyment. Exchange Park perhaps epitomizes the landscape of Jackson's Southside history. The park sits between Euclid and Mansion streets north to south and between Milwaukee, now Carl Breeding Way and Merriman west to east. Exchange Park is a part of the larger National Exchange Club and was chartered in Jackson on August 24th, 1924, the second of such parks in Michigan following one in Detroit.
KeithCunningham,knownasBigHam,has brought the tradition of laughter to the Jacksoncommunitysincehisownchildhood. Known for his quick wit and jokes, Big Ham has turned that into a thriving business and has been bringing some of the biggest comedic talents to Jackson since 2023. Big HamhasbroughtthelikesofHollywoodstars suchasChrisThomas,thefirsthostofMTV’s Rap City and famed actor Brian Hooks to evenbiggernamessuchasTommyDavidson, whostartedhiscareerin1984asastand-up comedianandwonfameonInLivingColorin 1990 Appearing in nearly thirty Hollywood movies and in almost 70 television shows, Tommy Davidson is one of the biggest stars toevergraceastageinJackson,Michigan.
Big Ham started his business career in 1996 with his late brother and business partner Richard Lawson. Together they began bringing big music names to Jackson andin2001startedthefirstoriginalJackson Juneteenth celebration that still continues as an annual tradition. Big Hamz Comedy Jamzturnedtocomedyinrecentyearsandis settobringanotherbignametoJacksonthis August 9th, featuring the well known Rickey Smiley radio co-host and comedian Darius Bradford.Theshowisbeingheldat3705Ann Arbor Road in Jackson. Tickets are $30 and the show starts at 8pm. To purchase tickets call517-914-4564or517-250-2428
Exchange sits at the heart of Southside community activities throughout its history, famously remembered as one of the locations where Southeast Little League was held in the 70s and 80s With two large Basketball courts, full tennis courts, and a baseball field, Exchange has been the go to host site of annual basketballand baseball tournaments that brought the whole southside out to gather and enjoy family, community and sports. The legacy continues with the Southside Festival Series hosting its Summer Fest Weekend there in July of 2025
Feature Story
Big Hamz Comedy Jamz Brings
SouthsideSummerFest WeekendBringsExchangePark BacktoLifethisJuly
TheSouthsideFestivalSeries2025editionbeganthis pastMay10thwiththeLocalAuthorsExpoandBookFair atthesouthsidebusinessC-Store&Deli.TheSummerFest Weekend edition officially kicks off at Exchange Club PlaygroundFridayJuly25thandcontinuesonSaturday the26thandintoSundaythe27th
ItjumpsoffwithKaraokeKickbackat6pmhostedby BigmanGenesis,aradiopersonalityforLansing’sWQHH 96.5 and Detroit’s Hot 107.5 with co-host Nikki Clark, ownerofNikki’sBeautifulBlessingHairSalon.Alivetalk showwillalsobehappeninghostedbyC-DubofMTAPF TheWeekendcontinuesonSaturdayJuly26thwiththe MoneyBall3-on-3BasketballTournament,foodvendors, kidsactivities,anEntrepreneur'sExpo,aSidewalkChalk Art competition, Xtreme Hip Hop workout with Derry Pettyandlivemusicalperformancesfeaturingthesoul songstress Alexis Geiser, known professionally as SixOneSixx,followedbygospelhiphopartistDeonteHall, conscious rapper El Bently and Jackson’s own lyricist WaylenDotteryofCMVRadio.
OnSundayJuly27thSummerFestgetsstartedwitha specialSundayJazzBrunchfrom11am-12pmhostedby BrandonMarceal,knownasSoulRockingFlute Theday continues with a fashion and hair show hosted by Detroit’sPeopleChoiceModeloftheYear2024Greatness Brown.Hersetwillfeaturelocalfashionbrands andHair fashionfromlocalsalonsPrettyDistinctBeauty,Nikki’s Beautiful Blessings and Sit’n Pretty Hair & Nails by Crystal.TheFashionandHairshowgoesfrom3pm-4pm Theactivitiescontinueat4pmwithaspecialexhibition fromWrightwayBoxing,featuringyouthboxingworkouts andsparringsessionsledbyKDDavis,alocalboxerfrom JacksonwhonowheadstheWrightwayBoxinggymfor youth on Franklin and Fourth street in Jackson The FestivalisFREEtoattendandopentoallages
A Southside Community Village Market
Provides Fesh Produce all August
DianeWashingtonisaJackson native, community leader, business-woman, author and entrepreneur extraordinaire. She’s the recipient of the prestigious ETA PHI BETA Business Woman of the year awardin1997amongothers.She has worked within the Jackson community for over 30 years providing summer initiatives, after-school programs, and day camps that empower youth to succeed. Diane is a Master Gardner and leader in neighborhood revitalization withemphasisontheSouthside community.
Thesearebutafewaccolades ofareallifeVillageleader,who recentlystartedarevitalization initiativeofcommunitygardens thatspansoverthreeblocksof former blighted land on the SouthsideofJackson.
Diane created the YPOP VILLAGE Educational and Community Gardens and Markets to help promote a community atmosphere in collaboration with Michigan State University Extension to provide a 5 Week Healthy GardenandHealthyCommunity Course. Graduates receive a Certificate upon complrtion. Thegardensareaplaceoffood and restoration that has its rootsinBlackFoodSovereignty.
Diane invites the whole communityouteachMondayof AugusttotheSouthsideVillage Markets for fresh produce, community networking and to learnmoreaboutYPOP(Young PeopleofPurpose).
See the Village Southside Markets August Schedule below
Downtown Jackson Family Business Offers
Affordable Retail Merchandise for Low Income Residents
When Anthony Gittens started Ant's Warehouse in downtown Jackson with his children, one thing was on his mind: how to help low income families. Anthony has long been an invaluable asset to the Jackson community. Since the mid 90s Anthony has provided low income housing options to Southside residents as well as affordable auto repairservices.
Recently Anthony worked for Community Action Agency and the Jackson Housing Commission as a ResidentCaseManager,wherehesaw the devastating challenges for families struggling with poverty. He then started Ant's Warehouse, a businessthatpurchasespalletsofbig retail store returns and resales them 50-70% off the retail price. Customers can get an additional 10% offbyvisitingthestorewithacopyof the Southside Business Journal in hand. The store is located at 318 W. MichiganAve.
Southside Mechanic Provides Affordable Auto Repair
Larry Smock began wrenching over 30 years ago. Over the last 25 years he's worked on the Southside of Jackson, using his skill to support community members who can't typically afford the cost of traditional auto body shops.
Auto Maintenence prices are extremely high for average struggling families and that's where Larry derives his passion for the community.
About 8 years ago Larry opened Southside Auto & Body, a licensed and insured full auto maintenance repair shop located on the Southside of Jackson.
Heisaknowngotomechanic servicingvehiclesdailytopeople whoneedqualityandaffordable autowork.
From front end brake and suspension repair to full body, painting, and vehicle restoration, Larryprovidesitall.Withtwoother inhousemechanics,SouthsideAuto & Body is committed to helping residentsgettheircarsbackonthe road.
Locatedat2338BrooklynRoad, stopintogetanestimateorcall Larryat(865)-315-5104toschedule aconsultation.
Ifyoubringinacopyofthe SouthsideBusinessJournalwithyou foranestimateormentionitduring aconsultation,youwillreceivean additional 10% discount off your finalcostofrepair.
Meet a Local Clinical Therapist that Provides "Culturally Sensitive. Affirming Human Dignity." Therapeutic Services to Jackson Community
TheSouthsideBusinessJournal recentlysatdownforlunchwith Dr. J. Frederick Bland, known affectionatelysimplyas“Dr.J.”He has a cozy, confidential and judgement-free office inside the CommonwealthCommerceCenter whereheworkswithclients.
He'sbeenprovidingcounseling andconsultingservicesforseveral decades,withafocusedinterestin substanceabuse,marriage/family, couples, spiritual-religious concerns/hurt,andanxiety.Dr.J. understands the dynamics of traumaanditsimpactonthelives ofpeoplestrugglingwithmental health issues. His approach is holistic, asset-driven and clientcentered.
Working in the Jackson communityforwelloverforty years,hispracticeisgrounded in relationship building that supportshisdeeppassionand commitmenttohelpingpeople overcometheirchallenges.
Dr.J.isanaccomplished musician and mass choir coordinator; a special talent thathelpshimmaintainselfcareandwork-lifebalance.Dr. J. created Empowering Zone Counseling & Consulting Servicesasaresourcethatis culturallysensitiveandaffirms humandignityforeveryonein needofcounselingservices.
New Podcast Highlights Inspiring Stories of Hope and Healing
@Prisoner2Painter
SouthsideBusinessJournal is published monthly by The Academic Mentoring & Education Network with a 5,000 print distribution and is available in Jackson, Albion, and Lansing at nearly 50 locations free of charge.
NathanandCaityMcDermottknowhow powerful stories can be to others. While derivinginspirationfromtheirownstories of overcoming life's challenges, the McDermotts started a Podcast so that otherpeoplecansharetheirownpowerful stories.Thecouplehopesthesestorieswill inspire listeners with hope and personal healing
Prisoner 2 Painter was therefore born. Together the McDermotts interviews people who have stories that need to be heard Theinterviewsarebroadcastedlive on multiple social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and X Subscribe to their channel and platforms to listen in and hear inspirational stories that motivate and help others to change theirlives.
