Updated January 28, 2025
Celebrate Black History Month at the 2nd Street Market
Originally conceived by African American historian Carter G. Woodson and prominent minister Jesse E. Moorland, Black History Month was created as a way of celebrating and remembering the history of Black Americans and their often-forgotten roles in the history of our country.
In 1915, a half century after the ratification of the 13th Amendment abolished slavery, Woodson, a Harvard graduate, and Moorland formed an association, currently known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). Under its umbrella, the two dedicated their lives to researching and promoting achievements of Black Americans and other Americans of African descent.
As the civil rights movement pioneered rights for Black Americans nationwide, and the movement for equal rights grew, President Gerald Ford established February as Black History Month in 1976.
This year’s theme, according to ASALH, is African Americans and the Arts, a month to highlight how African American artists have used art to preserve history and community memory, as well as for empowerment.
The 2nd Street Market, a Five Rivers MetroParks location, has celebrated Black History Month for many years. The Market is hosting programs with a focus on celebrating and supporting Black members of our community, including small business owners, artists, creatives and more. All programs are free and suitable for all ages.
- Book Club at the Market with Invoke: Sunday, Feb. 2, from 1:30 to 3 p.m.
- Jazz with Eddie Osborne: Saturday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Juice Journey with Choice Juice Boxx: Friday, Feb. 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Gospel with DC Ensemble: Saturday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Blues Appreciation with Harmonia Neil: Saturday, Feb. 22, from 10 to 2 p.m.
- Learn about Charles Young, Buffalo Soldier: Sunday, Feb. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The 2nd Street Market will also host a special Culinary Kitchen: From Bean to Bar With Love on Thursday, Feb. 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. Join chocolate educator London Coe and a team of chocolate makers and farmers to talk single origin bean to bar craft chocolate from Haiti! Enjoy an evening of exploring chocolate from the flower to the pod, the bean to the bar with love. The night will include a chocolate tasting of different chocolate varieties grown in Haiti and a chocolate station where you get to build your own chocolate goodie bag to take home. Registration is required.
You can also support your community during Black History Month by visiting the many Black-owned businesses at the 2nd Street Market, where local growers, culinary specialists, artisans and shoppers fill a charming historical freight house in downtown Dayton.
The full-time Black-owned small businesses at the Market include:
Burnt Out Winery
Delicious and locally made wines.
Choice Juice Boxx
Choice Juice Boxx offers fresh pressed fruit and vegetable juices with an aim to create a healthy and natural product that promotes a healthy lifestyle. Owner Donna Wilson creates exciting flavor combinations and includes ingredients with a variety of health benefits for you to choose from.
Invoke
Invoke™ offers New Modern American Cuisine that is locally and seasonally prepared. Born in Dayton, Lester and Larry Gates are a small part of the rich history the city has to offer. They currently offer vegan and vegetarian options alongside their classic dishes. Come in and speak with them to discuss new culinary trends and protein alternatives.
Missing Peace
Missing Peace Art Space uses creative arts to enhance awareness of the need for peace. They offer African earring cards, greeting cards decorated with beads and embroidery, hand-etched boxes and picture frames, art tiles with miniature easels, rolled paper necklaces, and miniature prints from Dayton artists. Missing Peace is a nonprofit organization that operates under the Unitarian Fellowship for World Peace.
Mrs. Ernestine’s Pound Cake
Using family recipes perfected and passed down by her great-grandmother, Mrs. Ernestine’s Pound Cakes is a fourth generation baking business that values quality, local ingredients and keeping tradition alive. Shoppers will find up to five different pound cake flavors including seasonal rotations, tea cakes, fruit pies and cobblers. Mrs. Ernestine offers gluten-friendly treats, too.
Netta’s Naturals
Netta’s Naturals offers a wide range of natural beauty and wellness products that are designed to elevate your self-care routine.
Ninjtaro Jewels
Ninjtaro Jewels creates accessible high-end jewelry for those who want to own artisan, one-of-a-kind pieces. Charmé Austin’s pieces cater to a wide variety of shoppers, with prices ranging from $5 to $250. While she is currently focused on wire wrapping, silver-smithing and Kumihimo weaving (a Japanese form of braiding jewelry), she also has collections of holistic healing jewelry. In fact, she is one of very few jewelers in the tri-state area to offer holistic jewelry options.
The scRUMptious Dessert
Delicious gourmet run cakes and more. Products are made with a variety of premium rums and baked fresh weekly.
Sweet P’s Ice Pops
Sweet P’s Handcrafted Ice Pops has an ever-changing seasonal menu with pops made from whatever fruits, vegetables and herbs are fresh and available. The menu consists of over 300 flavors, including dairy-based, water-based, fruit-based and Paleo-style ice pops based on Mexican paletas. They are a family-run and operated business, with each family member playing an important role.
Vegan It IZ Eats
Vegan It IZ Eats helps the community live a life full of energy and wellness through plant-based meals. Born and raised in Dayton, owner Rhea Adkins adapted a plant-based lifestyle after going on a spiritual fast in 2017 and a cancer scare with her mother. While eating plant-based foods she noticed an increase in energy and overall health. She then began to research and pilot her plant-based food products. Rhea’s desire is to see everyone live their best life full of energy.
For a full list of vendors at the 2nd Street Market, including other part-time Black-owned businesses like Guided by Mushrooms and Peace on Fifth, visit metroparks.org/2nd-street-market.
To learn more about Black History Month, visit the ASALH website.