LISC Jacksonville Announces 2024 Community Development Award Winners
The Janet Owens Award, sponsored by VyStar Credit Union and named in honor of LISC Jacksonville’s former executive director and community visionary, recognizes an individual who has served as a catalyst in one of the following three pillars: Community Development, Safety and Justice, or Family Wealth Creation.
Shirley Thomas currently serves as President of the North Riverside Community Development Corporation. She also currently serves as President of the North Riverside Neighborhood Association and appointed to Board of Directors for the Railroad District. Not only can she be found giving back to the community programs but she also educates others about breast cancer awareness since she was a survivor of breast cancer for 32 years. She will give and support anyone in need to ensure that she will not be found in judgement of Matthew 25:45. "And He will answer, "I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me."
Ronnie King currently Co-Founder and CEO of My Village Project. The My Village Project Community Fund supports over 185+ black nonprofits in their collective quest to build the most scalable education platform for communities of color. The My Village Project stands as a beacon of collaboration, economic impact, and community empowerment, spearheaded by the visonary leadership of community activist Ronnie King. The Project has created a powerful network of community-driven initiatives aimed at uplifting the youth, ensuring organizational sustainability, and fostering economic impact through subgrants.
The Igniter Award, sponsored by Jessie Ball duPont Fund, recognizes a real estate project that advances the urban core in Jacksonville’s underserved neighborhoods.
LISC Jacksonville provided a $4.5million loan to help Columbia Ventures acquire this property, lcoated at 700 E. Union Street. This is one of the first urban core projects in Jacksonville that attracted capital from outside Jacksonville. The estimated total development cost is $72 million. This historic 109-year-old landmark will be rehabilitated and renovated at the heart of the city's Eastside into 228 workforce-affordable apartments plus 50,000 square feet of commercial space to include artist studios, restaurants, retail, and small office space.
The J.F. Bryan Award, sponsored by Wells Fargo and named in honor of LISC Jacksonville’s founding Advisory Board Chair who served in the role for 20 years, recognizes a Community Development Corporation (CDC) or non‐profit organization that has provided collaboration and leadership in bringing diverse voices to improve community through targeted programs, initiatives, or physical development.
Melanin Market serves as a cultural destination and marketplace that highlights black-owned businesses while providing creative placemaking outlets for community fellowship. This initiative was designed to elevate, engage, and support the community, local artists, and local black-owned businesses. Melanin Market transforms five blocks along A. Philip Randolph Boulevard from Union Street to Jessie Street into a showcase of start-ups, new brands, and existing businesses seeking a platform to promote and offer their products and services. Their outdoor street markets also curate live performances and events by local artists of all genres, including music, spoken word, and dance.
