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Jacksonville is―and has always been―the product of a rich tapestry of vibrant communities representing different geographies, different cultures, and different experiences. Together, our many communities influence our elected officials, our urban planning, and our cultural institutions. It is critical that our diverse voices are represented in the plans for our future. Join us for a look at the communities that built Jacksonville and those who are poised to shape our future―and how you can contribute to making sure every Jaxson feels they belong. Alongside moderator Ennis Davis of The Jaxson Magazine, we’ll hear from: Andrew Pantazi, previously reporting for the Florida-Times Union and now Founding Editor of The Tributary, a Northeast Florida Journalism Collective. Andrew and his team dove deep into the 2020 Census results and recently launched a newsletter highlighting the impact of those results on Florida’s lawmaking; Yanira Cardona, owner of Yaya Productions, a production company focused on serving Jacksonville’s Hispanic community, and program manager for Moving the Margins, a collaboration between the Jacksonville Cultural Development Corporation and The Jessie downtown; Dr. Ray Oldakowski, award-winning professor of geography at Jacksonville University whose work focuses on polling, public opinion research, demographics and Florida’s sense of place and cultural geography.
Jessie Ball duPont and Ennis Davis of The Jaxson Magazine
Andrew Pantazi, previously reporting for the Florida-Times Union and now Founding Editor of The Tributary, a Northeast Florida Journalism Collective; Yanira Cardona, owner of Yaya Productions, a production company focused on serving Jacksonville’s Hispanic community, and program manager for Moving the Margins, a collaboration between the Jacksonville Cultural Development Corporation and The Jessie downtown; Dr. Ray Oldakowski, award-winning professor of geography at Jacksonville University whose work focuses on polling, public opinion research, demographics and Florida’s sense of place and cultural geography
From the Union Army occupation of Jacksonville during the Civil War by the U.S. Colored Troops, to Civil War veterans settling in LaVilla, to modern-day military operations at Mayport and NAS Jax, to the thousands of Jacksonville residents who have sacrificed to protect our freedoms, our city’s history is inextricably linked to the U.S. military. Join us for a tour from the earliest military encampments to today’s impact from military employment, our exploration of memorials and museums, and support for veteran-owned small businesses.
What happens when the impacts of gentrification aren’t all positive, especially for the original residents of the neighborhood? How can communities develop and grow with the leadership of their existing residents? As we celebrate the role that planning plays in creating great communities during October’s National Community Planning Month, join us to understand the emerging strategy of withintrification and how it can be applied to our historic neighborhoods.
What do Ray Charles, Quad City DJs, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers Band have in common? Each of these world-class performers got their start in Jacksonville, and each has helped shape the musical landscape of our City today—a landscape that continues to evolve as we welcome performers from around the world and continue to cultivate home-grown talent. Join the Jessie Ball duPont Fund and Ennis Davis of the Jaxson Magazine in celebrating on Thursday, June 24 at 12 p.m. for a conversation about Jacksonville’s musical heritage, the influence of neighborhoods like LaVilla, and the future of the Jacksonville music scene. We’ll hear from our esteemed panelists and spend time in conversation with participants.
On May 24, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund and Ennis Davis of The Jaxson Magazine hosted a virtual conversation about the diverse culinary history of Jacksonville and its many connections to our multicultural roots. From garlic crabs and shrimp and grits to mustard-based barbecue, you may be surprised to learn that many of our favorite “Southern” foods originated here in our own backyard. And that Steak in a Sacks and Camel Riders can trace their histories back to our influential Middle Eastern community in early Jacksonville neighborhoods like LaVilla and downtown. Today, our growing populations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are helping to further expand the culinary influences of our city.
On March 31, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund and Ennis Davis of The Jaxson Magazine celebrated Women’s History Month with a virtual conversation about the many unsung female heroes who shaped Jacksonville’s historic LaVilla neighborhood and grew it into a thriving business and cultural center in the 20th century.. From its founding to its heyday, from Susie King Taylor and the Eastern Stars of the Masonic Temple to Cora Crane and Eartha White, we’ll honor the women who played a role in the development of this neighborhood and contributed so much to our city. This conversation is part of the Jacksonville History & Heritage series co-produced by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund and The Jaxson Magazine
