Project Name: Meet on Johnson Street: Community Block Party
ABOUT THE APPLICANT
Are you applying as a:
Individual
First and last name?
Jasmine Calhoun
What city or village do you reside in?
Saginaw
Twitter Handle
Facebook Handle
/JasmineSCalhoun
Instagram Handle
ABOUT THE PROJECT
What is the name of the neighborhood where the project will take place? (Please include city/village name too. Example: Mexican Town, Detroit)
Downtown, Saginaw
Anticipated project launch date
August 5, 2023
Describe your project idea including: a) Is it a project or event? b) What will you do? c) Where will you do it? d) Who, if any, are your project partners?
Meet on Johnson Street is an event that will encourage community, closeness, and charity to launch a brand new school year. It will take place at Jolt Event Center Pavilion on Johnson Street, which runs directly through downtown Saginaw. Meet on Johnson Street will incorporate local music, local food vendors, games, cartoon characters, bounce houses, face painting, raffles, and a dunk tank featuring local teachers and principals, which I anticipate will be a crowd favorite.
How will you engage your community in this project?
The purpose of block parties is to bring the party to the people. I will ensure that the community is engaged by holding it in a central location, partnering with local business owners and leaders, and inviting local entertainment to share their gifts. Hosting this block party towards the end of the summer also ensures that folks have already taken their vacations and will be looking to enjoy free family-friendly activities close to home. The incentive of giveaways will also draw the crowd.
How will the project celebrate the neighborhood’s diversity? Diversity can include different ages, races, cultures, socio-economic statuses, abilities, and more.
Historically, block parties stem from New York’s boroughs each putting their own spin on these street gatherings. Marginalized people (Black American, Caribbean, Latinx, working class, etc.) took these opportunities to celebrate their cultures out loud, with music, food, dancing, and belly laughs. Meet on Johnson Street will carry that same spirit which is especially important post COVID-19. People from all races, cultures, socio-economic statuses, abilities, and ages will come together in one location to dance, laugh, eat, and enjoy the beauty of our city. Music and food will play a critical part in bringing the community together, so a diverse playlist and a variety of food vendors is priority.
How do you plan to spend the $1,000 microgrant? Please list and explain the items, services, fees, expertise, etc. that you plan to purchase.
The $1,000 micro grant will be spent on:
-pavilion rental (to be prepared for Michigan’s weather)
-raffle items (gift cards)
-dunk tank
-a DJ
The cost of these items and services exceeds the $1,000, but will be supplemented by donations.
Will your project require special permits?
Yes
Are you the owner of the property where the project/event will occur?
Rachel’s Notes
Confirmed member status. Applied as individual. Event is a block party downtown.
ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD’S NEEDS
Why does your neighborhood need this project?
In an article published in October of 2022, Saginaw was ranked the 1st most violent Michigan city and the 4th most violent city in the United States. This project is necessary because it’ll create an opportunity for people to come together, peaceably, and enjoy the beauty of downtown without fear!
What do you hope to achieve through this project? Be as specific as possible!
There are two hopes for this event. The first is for it to eliminate any negative stereotypes some people in the community might have about congregating downtown. I hope that all questions about the safety of an event on Johnson Street are answered by the end of the evening and that this block party is filled with fun and laughs for the entire family. I also hope that it is an opportunity to celebrate the various cultures, generations, languages, and perspectives that make this community great.
What resources do you already have to make this project successful? Resources could include things like time, partners, expertise, donated goods/materials/space, matching funds, and more.
Expertise, as I have prior experience planning and executing several other community events, time, and some donated goods are resources I already have in place to make Meet on Johnson Street a success. If awarded this $1,000 micro grant from the Michigan Municipal League Foundation, it would be a welcomed sigh of relief as it will offset most of the expenses to be incurred by entertainment, gift raffles, and the pavilion rental fee. My expectation is that many of the invited vendors, specifically for the dunk tank, and children’s activities will be donated services.
IMAGE UPLOADS
Image Caption 1 (if any): Downtown Saginaw-Saginaw River
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Image Caption 2 (if any): Jolt Credit Union Pavilion on Johnson Street
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Image Caption 3 (if any): Jasmine Calhoun-Community Member and Event Coordinator
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Image Caption 4 (if any): Community Members
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