Thanks

Selby Ave JazzFest was the brain child of Selby Ave entrepreneur Mychael Wright. He was looking to generate energy and enthusiasm about the new businesses in the area. Having opened Golden Thyme Coffee at the intersection of Selby and Milton, he decided to hold a small afternoon of fun, food and music.

After the success of the first annual Selby Ave JazzFest, Mychael worked with the Selby Area CDC to grow and expand the event. Along with Mychael other community members have been crucial in keeping the event vibrant, community focused, and grassroots based. Janet Williams, long time community resident, has worked to shape the event and help it continue to grow. This year Janet focused on growing the Family Fun Zone with help from UWRF intern Hollie Wills.

This year the Selby Area CDC received a Cultural STAR Grant from the City of Saint Paul to support the strengthening of the musical acts. We also received a General Mills grant and are looking forward to the great music that it will bring us this year.

We would also like to say thank you to Ahlm-Jensen Design for their web design and development work.

A big thanks also goes to Shea Eldredge for using her knowledge of business and economics towards mentoring kids in the Selby Ave Youth Business Club. Shea, a graduate of the University of St. Thomas, holds a degree in Entrepreneurship and a minor in Psychology. She loves music, kids, food, sports and teaching. In response to her work with the SAYBC, Shea believes that “kids have so much potential to change the world. It is a child’s nature to be curious, creative, innovative risk takers and we adults need to notice what these kids have to offer.”