L.A'.s African Marketplace founder sees glimmer of hope for this year's fest

RANCHO AFRICA: The vibrancy and color of the African Marketplace from 2008. (Photo by Gary McCarthy)

By OLU ALEMORU, Staff Writer

Story Created: Jul 14, 2010 at 6:25 PM PST

Story Updated: Jul 14, 2010 at 6:35 PM PST

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It may be just a faint glimmer of hope, but after announcing last week that the annual African Marketplace and Cultural Faire might be canceled this year, the event’s founder is seeing some hope that his annual event can survive.

After revealing that the Los Angeles City Council’s Department of Recreation and Parks is asking for an upfront fee of $185,000 to hold this year’s festival at Rancho Cienega Park, James V. Burks received a quick call of help from L.A.-based talent manager Mark Thomas.

Founded in 1985, the marketplace’s goal has always been to foster cultural, trade, tourism and educational exchanges between people of African descent dispersed throughout the world.

The faire typically runs for three consecutive weekends from the end of August.
Thomas, who represents film composers and has attended the faire on many occasions, said he will be speaking to Burks about the possibility of harnessing some celebrity power for a potential fundraiser.

“I’ve loved going to the marketplace over the years and had many reunions with friends and family there,” Thomas said. “It’s an important event and I was sad to read that it might not continue. But I just didn’t want to sit back. I wanted to see if I could do anything so I contacted James through your newspaper.”

Burks, a longtime director in the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs, welcomed the interest, although with a July 1 deadline to raise that upfront fee any staging of a 25th anniversary event at Rancho Cienega would be on a reduced scale.

“I’m grateful for Mark’s offer and we will be talking more about it,” Burks said.

“Maybe there’s still time to have something this year at the park. Right now I’m writing letters to Bernard Parks, Mark Ridley-Thomas and Karen Bass.
“We would still have to raise some money from the private sector, but if the city were to waive 100 percent of its fees, we could have something that might be half or a third of the usual size.”

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EyesWideOpen said on Friday, Sep 2 at 9:59 AM

Look to Mr. Burke himself as to why this event has gone down the drain! Sometimes (unfortunately) success makes one greedy, and your focus becomes on more for yourself than the community. Also, you have to treat others right. You do not have to scheme/play games with others to get what you want. If you are sincere, and a good person, others will stand up with and for you. You can't mis~manage something for years, then expect the city or anyone else to come to your rescue.

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SHARON BOWEN said on Wednesday, Aug 24 at 10:08 AM

I AM VERY SAD TO HEAR THAT "PLEASE TRY TO GET IT BACK. VERY EVENT FOR FAMILYS.

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ELEANOR CLARKE said on Monday, Jan 24 at 10:04 PM

HELLO, IAM A DESIGNER/SEAMSTRESS,IAM LOCATED ON FASHION.ORG, BUSINESS NAME ELEGANT RAGZ. I MAKE ALL TYPES OF HANDMADE GARMENTS IF U R INTERESTED PLS CONTACT ME AT #310.946.2249 PLS PASS INFO ON I ALSO DO ALL TYPES OF ALTERATIONS. SEE U AT THE MARKET PLACE. THANK U BYE!!!!

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NP said on Tuesday, Nov 30 at 11:42 AM

African Marketplace James Burke - looking for other vendors or participants who have gotten scammed by James Burke re vendor who have paid money to participate in the African Marketplace 2010 - James Burke took money and cashed checks knowing that the event will not take place and now he will not refund money owed to those in the community. Send email to napturalroots@yahoo.com

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KayKay said on Friday, Sep 3 at 2:08 PM

I heard they were doing something in Leimert Park Labor Day weekend. Anyone else heard that?

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Thomas W said on Tuesday, Aug 31 at 6:13 PM

The African Market Place has been one of the jewels in South Los Angeles. I try to buy something every year, when I look around my home I have conversation pieces that remind me of my experiences; who was there, the food, the musicians, pictures, etc. There is enough of us in our community and money too, to raise the money on our own. We don't need have to have our hand out ALL THE TIME, it's OUR CULTURE, OUR HISTORY, OUR COMMUNITY! That recreation fee, although is probably necessary, seems to be quite high. It does not do much to encourage community involvement on such a scale. If it were me I'd look someplace where they are happy to have such a event without robbing your culture to do it. I'd rather be small and mighty than be LARGE but dependant on the largess of others.

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shekerah said on Saturday, Aug 28 at 6:31 PM

I am saddened by the cancellation of the Marketplace. I have attended for the past 19 years and looke forward to attending this year with family and friends. aluable cul

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