Black History Month - Icon: Nicky Sparrow and Carla M. Jones | CEO of Carla Mechele Media

Nicky Sparrow is a seasoned media industry leader, has built an impressive 25-year career at iHeartMedia, excelling in high-level management and sales roles across major markets. Nicky is now the Executive Vice President of Multicultural Sales at iHeart Media. Nicky is featured int he following links; https://www.blackweek.co/nicky-sparrow/https://www.theadvertisingclub.org/black-history-month-icon-nicky-sparrow/Committed to giving back, Sparrow serves on the board of directors for the Radio Advertising Bureau, Florida Association of Broadcasting, The First Tee of North Florida and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In recognition of her philanthropic efforts, she was named St. Jude’s 2024 Partner of the Year.And Carla M. Jones | CEO  904.402.4206  [email protected]  CarlaMechele.comLift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park Hosts Inaugural LaVilla Black History Marketto Kick off Black History MonthJACKSONVILLE, FL – January 29, 2026 – The public is invited to the first-ever LaVilla BlackHistory Market at Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park (LEVS Park) on Saturday, February 7, from2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 120 N. Lee Street.The event will transform LEVS Park into a tribute to LaVilla’s legacy, spotlighting the historicneighborhood’s renewed role and influence in Jacksonville’s cultural landscape.Organized by Vibrant Places Collective in partnership with JaxParks and Florida FishPepper Co., the market will feature a curated mix of vendors, performances, and culturalactivities highlighting the neighborhood’s creative and entrepreneurial legacy.Additional Black History Month Programming at LEVS Park:● Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing Day! Thursday, Feb. 12 | 5-6:30 PM | Celebrates Feb. 12 asthe first day the song was sung by 500 students at Old Stanton School in Jax.● The Cookout: Black History Game Day Saturday, Feb. 21 | 3-6 PM | Think BlackHistory Jeopardy and Old School vs. New School in a family-friendly day of play.● Black Cinema History: Hollywood in Jax Friday, Feb. 27 | 5:30-8 PM | An eventspotlighting Jacksonville as the birthplace of world-class entertainersThe afternoon includes fashion, music, and storytelling experiences led by local artists andcommunity leaders, with appearances by WJXT journalists, elected officials, and longtimeLaVilla voices. Attendees can expect live performances, a fashion showcase, conversationscentered on local history, and opportunities to support Black-owned businesses throughshopping, food, and cultural experiences throughout the park.The event is free and open to the public.Jacksonville is the birthplace of the Great Migration and the Black National Anthem, bothlandmark moments in Black History. We know a lot about the tragedies. And it is equallyimportant we celebrate the victories and honor the greatness, much of which was spawnednationally from the cultural hub of LaVilla ” said Carla Jones, Facilitator, Vibrant PlacesCollective.LEVS Park sits on the former home-site of James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson,creators of the renowned song, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The Park plans to introduceseveral cultural activations throughout February in honor of Black History Month.These events reflect the park’s ongoing commitment to honoring Black history throughcommunity-centered programming and offer continued opportunities for storytelling, culturalengagement, and media coverage throughout the month.For more information, visit www.levsparkjax.org or follow @levsparkjax on Instagram andFacebook for updates.###About Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing ParkLift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park is a City of Jacksonville public park that incorporates elements ofthe Johnson brothers’ and LaVilla’s cultural and built history while making space for a moreinclusive future. The park was designed by world-renowned MacArthur Foundation