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
[e-mail]
CarlaMechele.com


Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park Hosts Inaugural LaVilla Black History Market
to Kick off Black History Month

JACKSONVILLE, FL – January 29, 2026 – The public is invited to the first-ever LaVilla Black
History Market at Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park (LEVS Park) on Saturday, February 7, from
2 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 historic
neighborhood’s renewed role and influence in Jacksonville’s cultural landscape.
Organized by Vibrant Places Collective in partnership with JaxParks and Florida Fish
Pepper Co., the market will feature a curated mix of vendors, performances, and cultural
activities 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 as
the 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 Black
History 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 event
spotlighting Jacksonville as the birthplace of world-class entertainers

The afternoon includes fashion, music, and storytelling experiences led by local artists and
community leaders, with appearances by WJXT journalists, elected officials, and longtime
LaVilla voices. Attendees can expect live performances, a fashion showcase, conversations
centered on local history, and opportunities to support Black-owned businesses through
shopping, 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, both
landmark moments in Black History. We know a lot about the tragedies. And it is equally
important we celebrate the victories and honor the greatness, much of which was spawned
nationally from the cultural hub of LaVilla ” said Carla Jones, Facilitator, Vibrant Places
Collective.

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 introduce
several cultural activations throughout February in honor of Black History Month.
These events reflect the park’s ongoing commitment to honoring Black history through
community-centered programming and offer continued opportunities for storytelling, cultural
engagement, and media coverage throughout the month.

For more information, visit www.levsparkjax.org or follow @levsparkjax on Instagram and
Facebook for updates.
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About Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park
Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park is a City of Jacksonville public park that incorporates elements of
the Johnson brothers’ and LaVilla’s cultural and built history while making space for a more
inclusive future. The park was designed by world-renowned MacArthur Foundation