We recently connected with Lydia-rose Hanson and have shared our conversation below.

Lydia-Rose , appreciate you joining us today. Can you share a customer success story with us?

My event, The Backyard, highlights local artists and businesses while ensuring they are fairly compensated. The second event I hosted at The Jessie Ball duPont Center helped me understand how important it is to pay artists. There are some discrepancies in Jacksonville’s culture where artists are booked for shows and expected to perform for free. Many of the artists in my lineup were underground artists who weren’t getting compensated, along with other local curators who had never been paid for their work. I decided to change that. How are we supposed to be proud of and respect our work when others take our gifts for granted? Another discrepancy I noticed is that many people have ideas for businesses, but they are either too scared to start alone or don’t have the resources to pursue their startup. For this event, I needed a food vendor, and someone introduced me to a woman named Latoya, who made the best baked potatoes in Jacksonville. However, she had no platform and had only cooked for a few people. The Backyard helped her take that risk—she set up a social media presence, worked on her marketing for the event, and ended up making over $800 in just three hours. Stories like this keep me going. She is a full-time nurse who took a risk on her business idea—and on me. I’m glad I was able to help these individuals, but I know my work is not over. I want to continue fostering spaces where everyone has a chance to excel, breaking the barriers of gatekeeping, and making all resources available to our community.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Lydia-Rose Hanson, I am an alumna of the University of North Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a minor in Anthropology. I first came up with this idea while attending an open mic at Raindogs, where my friend was both hosting and performing. The event was so magical that I became curious about how much he was being paid and how he got into the industry. When he told me he wasn’t getting paid—that he did it simply because he loved it—it didn’t sit right with me. Determined to change that, I joined a student advocacy group with 904ward, an organization that amplifies Black voices in Jacksonville. Through this, my idea of incorporating arts and activism evolved into uplifting local artists and businesses in Duval. I was paired with the leader of Moving the Margins, who helped me secure grants to compensate artists and utilize a beautiful downtown space where people could easily access the event. What started as a small gathering of just 20 people quickly grew into a community event attracting over 100 attendees—all for free. While many might take pride in their event gaining recognition, my greatest satisfaction comes from the impact it has had on my community. I have experienced firsthand how people are overlooked due to their age, how funding is reserved for only a select few based on popularity, and how valuable grants are gatekept from emerging talent. Jacksonville is full of incredible artists, and it’s unfair to keep showcasing the same people over and over again—this city is too big for that! At The Backyard, we go beyond just entertainment. At one of my events, we held a raffle where attendees could win a free résumé workshop, meet a Publix store manager for a two-minute interview session at their booth, and win merchandise from local artists. These opportunities helped connect people with resources they may not have otherwise had access to, reinforcing my goal of creating spaces that uplift and empower our community.
Every curator should take the time to analyze their community and create something that truly meets its needs. Not just another open mic. Not just another music event. Instead, we should be curating workshops for first-time homebuyers in low-income neighborhoods, providing professional headshots for emerging artists, and offering resources that empower and uplift our community.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe that simply being authentic and showing up when I had the time for others in the community made a difference. I saw discrepancies within our arts community and realized that change was needed—but no one was making that change. One of the most effective ways to create impact is by connecting with local nonprofits, joining their advocacy groups, or even volunteering. There are countless opportunities to curate spaces while receiving funding from the city. For my first few events, I received a stipend from Moving the Margins, which allowed me to compensate my artists. Through that partnership, I was able to establish a name for myself and build relationships that led to even more opportunities.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My overall goal for my community is to continue shining a light on underrepresented artists. Jacksonville is full of talented individuals, but too often, only those with access to certain spaces receive funding or recognition. I strive to curate a space where artists don’t feel restricted by a glass ceiling while pursuing their goals. Everyone deserves the opportunity to be seen, heard, and supported.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Lydia.rroseee
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydia-rose-hanson-95646724a

Image Credits

Jasmine Clements