Project Name: BH Bazar
ABOUT THE APPLICANT
Are you applying as a:
Neighborhood organization or association (such as a non-profit)
What is the organization’s name?
Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation
What neighborhood does the organization serve?
Empire Corridor, Benton Harbor
First and last name?
Ashley Hines
Twitter Handle
Facebook Handle
www.facebook.com/bentonharborcdc
Instagram Handle
bentonharbor_cdc
Is the organization a registered 501 (c)3 non-profit?
Yes
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)
Empire Corridor, Benton Harbor
Anticipated project launch date
July 22, 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?
The BH Bazaar is an artisan market and creative showcase. Our goal is to grow this project to a monthly event to bring together Benton Harbor residents in the Empire Corridor neighborhood of the city. This community was historically boasted a thriving neighborhood commercial district filled with entrepreneurs of color. Through our work to revitalize the community and commercial district, the Bazaar will feature artisans, artists, and performances. It will also have art a wellness activities.
How will you engage your community in this project?
The community will be engaged in this project through the planning of our Cultural Affairs and Special Events committee, which is a resident led group. The inner city of Benton Harbor has been historically neglected and a large part of our work centers on empowering the community to transform the neighborhood from the inside out. To that end, we have conducted resident led asset mapping projects, community meetings, started a community garden, and advocated to save a historical commercial corridor in this neighborhood. This event will build upon our efforts to revitalize this community by engaging residents in the planning of the event, having local entrepreneurs, creatives, and artisans participate in the event, and inspiring the community to see beauty, creativity, and safe fun, right in their neighborhood.
How will the project celebrate the neighborhood’s diversity? Diversity can include different ages, races, cultures, socio-economic statuses, abilities, and more.
The project will celebrate the neighborhood’s diversity by bringing together residents of all ages to experience the community in a healthy way. This event is designed to strengthen social cohesion and grow as a traditional gathering for residents in the neighborhood, while exposing the local community to innovative solutions that everyone can take part in to see a thriving community.
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 microgrant will be used to acquire staging and pay artists to perform at the event.
Will your project require special permits?
Yes
Are you the owner of the property where the project/event will occur?
No Please provide a letter of support from the owner of that property.
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Rachel’s Notes
Reviewed 4.24.23. Confirmed member status. Confirmed photos. Website is lacking detail. Involves artisans. Event.
http://bentonharborcdc.org/ https://www.facebook.com/bentonharborcdc/
ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD’S NEEDS
Why does your neighborhood need this project?
This project is needed because it serves as medium of togetherness & collaboration. With a mantra of, “Transformation Beyond Imagination,” this event builds upon our work to engage fellow community members in the belief that we no longer have to imagine the community we want. We can create it.
What do you hope to achieve through this project? Be as specific as possible!
Through this project we hope to strengthen social cohesion and restore residents affinity to each other and the neighborhood, in a healthy way. This project is a small part of an ecosystem for community transformation and it’s our hope that these moments of togetherness, sharing, and learning will help to break systemic issues that historically prevent communities of color from thriving.
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.
Our current resources include a team of dedicated residents working to coordinate the event. We also have partners who have donated their outdoor space to be use for the event. Lastly, we have vendors who have begun to sign up to participate at the event.
IMAGE UPLOADS
Image Caption 1 (if any): Food & Friends Garden party at our community garden that’s located in the Empire Corridor neighborhood. In the back you’ll find I house we’ve acquired and currently rehabbing to be a community resource house.
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Image Caption 2 (if any): Partial picture of the commercial corridor we advocated to save and now working to revitalize. The event will take place 1 block away
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Image Caption 3 (if any): Jessica Hightower is an artist who will be featured at the event and lead a workshop
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Image Caption 4 (if any): Residents at , “Communion,” which is a pop up dinner experience we host throughout the community to inspire intimate conversations about things that matter to residents.
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