Black Business Month is a time to celebrate the innovation and resilience of Black entrepreneurs across the country. This is for the Culture Series; we would like to dedicate the month of August to 14th and Market, a Philadelphia-based creative and talent management company founded by John “JP” Petty III and his wife, Jennifer “Money” Petty.
Founded in 2018, the powerhouse duo-built 14th and Market, aims to establish itself as a cultural force by utilizing storytelling. Jennifer who believed in her husband’s ideas backed him every step of the way.
“A story that began with a dream. My husband had this vision – one built on creativity, the art of storytelling, the power of branding, and putting on for future generations. I matched that vision providing balance, offering structure and process. Together, we’ve made that vision achievable,” Jennifer Petty, stated in the Plug’s Tribune newsletter, which as posted on her Instagram page.
Meet the powerhouse duo behind 14th And Market: John and Jessica Petty; Photo Credit: Jenmoney14/Instagram
The company’s cultural initiatives, which help brands and individuals bring ideas to life through authentic storytelling, have not just made a significant impact but have also inspired and motivated many. Operating at what the creative brand calls the intersection of “the block and the boardroom,” 14th and Market is a beacon of inspiration in the business world.
JD, a native of Philadelphia and a graduate of Lincoln University, boasts an impressive résumé bringing over a decade of creative agency and brand management experience. Before launching the company alongside with his wife, JP held creative leadership roles with industry giants, including Wieden + Kennedy (where he was the first Black Executive Creative Director) and United Masters. He also served as the Director of Social at Translation LLC, where he spearheaded the development of engagement strategies for companies like the Brooklyn Nets, NFL, Champs Sports, and Budweiser. Those experiences now inform his mission at 14th and Market: to foster partnerships that blend cultural authenticity with brand strategy, while prioritizing people. This commitment to collaboration makes 14th and Market a company that the audience can feel connected to and engaged with. The company also partnered with prominent brands such as HBO, Nike, Jordan Brand, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.
The company’s impact stretches beyond business. The company also hosts the Plug Awards, an awards series designed to honor unsung heroes across industries—those who get on and put others on. Additionally, the company operates a YouTube channel called, The 14th and Market Network. This channel serves as a media hub dedicated to sharing stories on marketing, advertising, Philly sports, the Plug Awards, and Your Hero’s Journey—a space to learn about the mental, tactical, and spiritual aspects of entrepreneurship, according to the network’s YouTube page. This media presence keeps the audience informed about the activities at 14th and Market.
At its core, 14th and Market represents more than marketing. It is storytelling rooted in lived experience, shaped by a leader who sees culture not as a commodity but as a community. As Black Business Month reminds us, supporting entrepreneurs like Petty means investing in narratives that are authentic, inclusive, and built to last.
