ABOUT THE PRESIDENT/CEO:​​
To correct the wrongs/injustices to Black and Brown people. Amidst the coronavirus, in May 2020, following the killing of George Floyd; Ephraim Martin along with the support of his wife, Justice Shelvin L. M. Hall, Ret, Illinois Appellate Court, started the Black Heroes Matter (BHM) Coalition under the banner of his organization, Martin’s International, to correct the injustices to
Chicago’s Founding Father, Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable who was from the Caribbean country of Haiti, with the goals of renaming Lake Shore Drive (LSD) as DuSable Drive, a major 25-foot Monument and for a city Holiday for DuSable. Further to end Systemic Racism, Police Brutality, revamping of the US-Postal Zip Code System, and more.
On June 25, 2021, he became a history-maker with his wife, and other BHM Coalition members, along with Aldermen David
Moore and Sophia King, when the Chicago City Council voted 33-15 and renamed the iconic LSD as Jean Baptiste Pointe
DuSable Lake Shore Drive. One of the biggest/most outstanding historic victories for Chicago in 191-years after the first streets
were given the name of other persons, and 242 years, since DuSable founded the village now call Chicago.
With a coalition of some 80 organizations and businesses, along with elected officials, media houses, and faith-based leaders,
Dr. Martin led a successful July 4th, ,2020 rally/march with speeches at DuSable Bridge, on Michigan Avenue, then marched to
Grant Park, where he joined a combined rally with BLM and other organizations and gave a close out speech to some 5,000
protesters in the presence of the major media, https://youtu.be/fcobTsxPtn4).
Special Hands of Love 1999
On July 4th weekend 1999, Martin organized and led a one mile special “Hand of Love” prayer rally with some 50 faith-based
and other organizations with the objectives of an end to crime and for peace in the city. The one-mile prayer ceremony saw
hundreds of people joining hands at noon along 55th Street, from the I-94/Dan Ryan Express to Washington Park, where
Martin’s annual Festival of Life was in progress, and the late Dr. Rev. Shelvin J. Hall of the Friendship Baptist Church gave the
closing prayer.
MARTIN HISTORY:
Photojournalist 1981 - 1986
Youth for The Upliftment of Reggae President 1981 - 1983
With the objectives of honoring reggae entertainers; using reggae and world music as a vehicle of expression for the voiceless peoples of the world, to End Apartheid, the Freedom of Nelson Mandela, and for freedom and democracy worldwide. These objectives continued under Martin’s International events below.
International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA), Executive Producer 1982 - Present
Chicago Music Awards (CMA) Executive Producer 1982 – Present
Martin’s International, Chairman/President/CEO 1982 - Present "Bringing Nations Together Through Music and Culture"
African/Caribbean International Festival of Life (IFOL), Founder/Producer 1992 – Present
Caribbean Festival (CAF): Founder/Executive Director 2002 - 2009
Chicago Music Foundation, Inc.: Founder/Chairman 2005 – Present.
Jerk, Seafood & Vegan Fest (JSVFEST): Founder/Producer 2017 – Present
TheReggae50: 2017 – 2019 to celebrate and honor 50 years of reggae music.
Black Heroes Matter (BHM) Coalition- Powered by Martin’s Intl- 2020 - Present.
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On Sunday, October 2, 2016 at the conclusion of his 35th International Reggae & World Music Awards (IRAWMA) and his 100th Annual Entertainment Event, Ephraim Martin creates history and set a record as the only known person alive to have consecutively produced 100 Annual Entertainment (Awards/Festivals) Events. The 100th Annual Event milestone occurred over a 35 years period with four unbroken annual events. Namely: The Chicago Music Awards (CMA), The International Festival of Life (IFOL), the Caribbean Festival (now merged with the IFOL) and the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA).
HISTORY/RECORD SETTING: Since September 1982, Ephraim Martin established the Special Event business, Martin’s International at 1325 South Wabash Avenue, when the area was a ghost town. Now 35th years later (coming this September), 1325 Wabash is still the historic home for Martin's annual Chicago Music Awards (CMA), the International Reggae and World Music Awards (IRAWMA) and the annual International Festival of Life (IFOL). Martin recently made history and set world record by producing more than 100 annual Special Events (Awards/Festivals) out of this South Wabash address.
In celebration of Ephraim Martin – Martin’s International 35th Anniversary at the same South Loop address, the occasion was celebrated with the inauguration of the Jerk, Seafood and Vegan Fest (JSVFest) on Saturday, September 30th and Sunday, October 1st, from noon to 10:00 pm each day @ 2400 S. Dearborn Street between State Street & S. Federal Street, Chicago South Loop (4 blocks from McCormick Place), Chicago, IL 60616 approximately one mile from Martin’s International office, Chicago, Illinois.​
Martin's International is now in preparation for its 9th Annual JSVFest which is set for September 20th and 21st on 1500 West Washington Boulevard, outside Union Park, Chicago West Loop. We again look forward to the strong community partnership with sponsors, families, friends and others who will be treated to the real taste and satisfaction of Jerk, Seafood and Vegan cuisines; plus music, arts, crafts , corporate branding and more. Visit http://www.jsvfest.com or call 877/973-4423 for more information.
Businesses are invited to brand their company/organization as a sponsorship partner and/or exhibiting vendor to tap into this diverse and multicultural community market. The JSVFest is a great vehicle for corporations, organizations and other community businesses to market, promote and sell goods or services.
Attached, please find sponsorship package for you to review or click this link: http://www.jsvfest.com to see online for your participation.