DETROIT — This Saturday the Northend Christian Community Development Corporation (NECCDC) is hosting Soles in the Garden, a free community celebration marking 25 years of service and transformation in Detroit’s Historic North End.
The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 27, from 3 to 9 p.m. on Goodwin Street between Owen and Holbrook in Detroit’s Northend Community.
Since its founding in 1999 when Rev. Bertha Carter began feeding families from her van, NECCDC has grown into a community anchor—stewarding more than 10 acres of land and transforming it into a cultural and agricultural campus. From food justice and youth empowerment to workforce development and land stewardship, NECCDC has become a beacon of resilience, creativity and opportunity in the North End.
“Soles in the Garden is our 25th anniversary celebration—a moment to honor the roots we’ve planted together in the North End,” said Jerry Hebron, executive director of NECCDC. “Every step we’ve taken through resilience, partnership and growth has allowed us to bloom into something bigger than ourselves. This event is about celebrating that collective footprint while looking ahead to the next 25 years.”
This is a free, open-to-all event for neighbors, families and anyone who has been part of NECCDC’s journey—or wants to be part of its future. While NOT required, the public is encouraged to RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/SolesintheGarden2025 to help organizers plan for food, seating and accommodations.
Guests will enjoy an afternoon and evening of joy, culture and connection, including:
- Bounce houses, face painting and carnival games for the kids
- Live music performances hosted by the Tune-Up Man from 105.9 Kiss-FM
- 3:15 p.m. – Testimony Sings
- 3:45 p.m. – Alnur African Dance
- 4:15 p.m. – Bryce Detroit
- 4:45 p.m. – DJ Bruce Bailey
- 5 p.m. – Charity
- 6 p.m. – DJ Bruce Bailey
- 6:30 p.m. – Kimmie Horne
- 7 p.m. – DJ Bruce Bailey
Food trucks, including A’s Sweet Treats, Egg Roll Divas, Los Amigo’s, MJs and Taste of Caribbean
The event is sponsored by Song Foundation, Suburban Collection Showplace, Michigan State Fair, Kresge Foundation, Vanguard, Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund and Detroit is Different.
