News Channel 3

by: Quametra Wilborn

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Two local organizations are working to transform what some may deem as an eyesore in Orange Mound into what they want they see as a beacon of hope.

In order to kick-off the project, they hosted a Juneteenth Celebration right on the property on Saturday. Usually the property is empty but now it’s buzzing with life in honor of Juneteenth.

The new owners of the property said they want to keep the buzz going with hopes to revitalize this historic part of town.

“There are so many opportunities if we just create convening space for Black folks to come and build each other up. We don’t need saviors. We just need opportunities to save ourselves,” said Victoria Jones, the Executive Director of Tone.

And these two entrepreneurs said those opportunities start at the former United Equipment building on Lamar Avenue.

The building had been vacant for decades.

However, the property is now filled with celebration, not just for Juneteenth but for its now bright future.

Victoria Jones is the Executive Director of Tone, which is an organization dedicated to helping propel black artists, and James Dukes, also known as IMAKEMADEBEATS, is the CEO and FOUNDER of the record label Unapologetic.

The two came together nearly three years ago looking for more space for their organization’s future projects.

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