J’s Promotions specializes in event planning, good times
Jamie Ross established J’s Promotions in 2018. It grew from her love of the house parties she and her mom would throw when Ross was a teenager. Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, she moved to the Twin Cities 27 years ago at age 13. She now claims Minneapolis as her home.
J’s Promotions is an event-planning business that plans parties and events for special occasions, including weddings.
“It’s whatever the wedding couple needs,” says Ross. “Some only need a DJ and a host. Some need help finding a venue [or]decorations.” They plan birthday and graduation parties as well.
As an alum of Patrick Henry High School and a former dance teacher, Ross promotes events through her strong ties to the community. She was the director and cheerleading coach for the Police Athletic League (PAL) for three years. “I have a lot of involvement in the community,” she says.
While she and her son were looking at events on Facebook, he asked her why there were no special events for moms and sons to attend together. She answered his question by creating an event to honor mothers and their sons. In 2017 she hosted her first mother/son ball. It is now held annually during the second week of March. It is a themed ball that switches each year from formal to simply fun.
“It’s where mothers bring their sons and it’s like a date/dance.” The event includes food, giveaways, prizes, and a time for positive affirmations. “[The host] will ask the young men, ‘What is it about your mom that makes you love her?’” says Ross.
The event also includes a mother-and-son dance-off. “This year was our formal year,” says Ross. “It was a black-tie event.” Next year, the ball will be pajama-themed. On Saturday, July 27, from 5-9 p.m., J’s Promotions will host Mommy & Me, Barbie vs. Brats, a mother/daughter event.
In her continued efforts to create new ways to bring people together for celebrations, two years ago Ross launched Brunch Vibez. It is a brunch held every Saturday in downtown Minneapolis. This event has become the focus of the business.
“It’s a family-oriented and family-run business,” she says. “My chefs for the brunch are my cousin and my little brother, and my servers are my children,” who are teenagers.
When she started the business eight years ago, the events were held at El Rodeo, a Mexican restaurant just off Lake Street in South Minneapolis. The building was destroyed by fire from the riots that occurred after the death of George Floyd.
Though Covid caused events to slow and attendance to drop, her events now attract an average of 150 participants. She uses the event space available through the Underground Music Venue in Minneapolis to host events. “We have a lot of connections within the community,” she says. “That’s how I get the crowds.”
With weekly Saturday brunches, planning their mother/son ball, an upcoming mother/daughter affair and other events, Ross keeps busy while staying connected to her community. “I am a proud Northsider.” As for hosting events, she says, “We try to be community-driven [and community] based.”
For more information on J’s Promotions, contact Jamie Ross by email at JameJame1283@gmail.com, or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JRossPromo.
