Through programming, campaigns, and marketplaces, the Village has become a staple in the city of Atlanta, an economic vehicle and has coined the phrase "Support is a Verb". A direct pipeline for Black businesses, we connect Black-owned businesses to engaged consumers, impactful resources, and dedicated community partners. Our thriving Village reaches small businesses in 38 states and 4 countries, with an official partnership with The Bahamas.

What problem are we solving:

Atlanta is one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the U.S. and earned the second-highest "boom rate" among big cities. However, the growth is deeply contingent upon the region's history, geographic sprawl, and politics. That said, not everyone is benefiting from Atlanta's economic boom. Black-owned businesses have a life span of 0 to 3 years, and only have yearly earnings of $58,000, which is 11 times less than white-owned businesses. Many small companies rely on the surge of sales during November as it kicks-off Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, which are the highest-grossing days for businesses. Though Black buying power is $1.2 trillion annually, very little of that money flows back into Black businesses.

Our impact:

To date, we have showcased and trained hundreds of vetted Black-owned businesses who specialize in conscious apparel/ merchandise, all-natural products, and foods. Businesses have grown from 6-foot vendor tables to now brick and mortar locations. With 80 to 100 businesses showcasing at our marketplace event and hundreds of shoppers/ Villagers, our efforts have facilitated 7.3 million dollars to Black entrepreneurs.