Hi, my name is Sean, and I'm fundraising to support the Black-owned food cart pod known as J&Q’s Corner. Jimmy and Quanita Wilson started their business at the corner of NE Fremont and Vancouver Ave in 2008 with a dry cleaner and BBQ food cart that the couple ran until they decided to allow other entrepreneurs to rent food carts. Most food cart businesses are operated by minorities who have been denied traditional entrepreneurial opportunities elsewhere.

Jimmy spends his days building and restoring food carts to rent to entrepreneurs. The building on the property that once held the dry cleaner business, and was damaged by the fire, was in the process of being transformed into a music studio to support young people and their creative musical endeavors.

Supporting youth is nothing new to Jimmy. He has dedicated his life to community service, including volunteering for the past 38 years at Emanuel Church. He is currently a deacon, serves on the board of trustees, and is the facility manager. Recently he has been working to support youth through community outreach and service to provide mentorship and reduce gang violence.

Jimmy is currently the co-chair of the Eliot Neighborhood Association and the Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods (NECN). As the other co-chair of NECN, I have worked closely with Jimmy to better the community we love.

Jimmy and Quanita were born and raised in Northeast Portland and operate one of the last Black-owned businesses that have withstood gentrification.

I support Jimmy and all the positive things he has done for our community, and I hope we can unite to support Jimmy through this challenging time.

The funds will be used to support the lost revenue related to the fire and any damage that is not covered by insurance. Any extra funds will be put towards the recording studio project to support youth.