Newark, New Jersey (PRWEB) August 10, 2015
Kevin Seawright, Vice President and CFO of the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation, has praised the positive economic impact of 2015's Lincoln Park Music Festival that took place late last month. Having already raised millions, LPMF's 10th anniversary celebration continued to raise funds and awareness for good causes throughout New Jersey. Fast becoming one of Newark's biggest cultural events, the festival draws more than 50,000 people each year, and has helped to revitalize Lincoln Park, and the city of Newark itself.
The festival ran from July 24th through the 26th this year, and featured a wide variety of musical acts, ranging from Gospel, R&B, and even Jazz and Hip Hop performances. This year's major performers included R&B artist Vivian Green, as well as gospel singers Jessica Reedy, and Bebe Winans.
But the festivities extended far beyond just music, including a sustainable health center which provided free health screenings, yoga sessions, and other healthy activities. There was even a kid's village attraction, complete with basketball clinics, skateboarding events, storytelling, and several other games.
The LPMF also featured an emphasis on local business, and what Newark has to offer through the sustainable food marketplace. Featuring local grocers from around the city, the event afforded visitors the opportunity to see what types of sustainable and locally grown food is available right outside their door. Drawing much needed attention to the advantages of locally grown and harvested produce, as well as the economic value of buying fresh seasonal foods from local Newark providers.
The Lincoln Park Music Festival sprang from pretty humble beginnings. When the Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District first introduced the idea, the event drew about 2,000 people in it's first year. Now the celebration of African-American cultural heritage is a phenomenon, and a massive financial powerhouse for local businesses throughout Newark, according to Kevin Seawright.
Everything from hotels and restaurants, city services and other local businesses are expected to enjoy a $100,000 revenue increase on the year. Plus, funds raised by the festival have been directly responsible for the cultural district's reconstruction of the neighborhood around Lincoln Park. This has led to the addition of 84 housing units, and 18 energy efficient condominiums.
About Newark Community Economic Development Corporation:
Founded in 2007 and reorganized and renamed in 2014, Newark Community Economic Development Corporation (Newark CEDC), formerly known as Brick City Development Corporation (BCDC), is the primary economic development catalyst for Newark. It is organized to retain, attract and grow businesses, enhance small and minority business capacity, and spur real estate development throughout the City's 20 diverse neighborhoods. As a business development company whose sole client is the City of Newark, Newark CEDC collaborates with the Newark Department of Economic & Housing Development to initiate and execute economic development activities to produce and sustain economic growth, generate jobs and create wealth for the citizens of Newark.
About Kevin Seawright:
Kevin Seawright is an accounting and project management professional based in Newark, New Jersey. Before relocating to New Jersey, Seawright worked in the fields of local government, education, and real estate development in Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC. Involved in his community, Kevin Seawright acted as an advisory board member for the Babe Ruth Museum and a coach for local youth sports teams. He has been a member of the American Society for Public Administration, the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, and the National Association of Black Accountants. You can find Kevin Seawright on LinkedIn, Tumblr, and Twitter.
