THE VILLAGE MARKET / WHO WE ARE

We Gather.
We Circulate.
We Celebrate.

African American buying power is currently 1.1 Trillion, and yet only 2 cents of every dollar an African American spends in this country goes to black-owned businesses.- We are changing that!

THE VILLAGE MARKET / WHO WE ARE

We Gather.
We Circulate.
We Celebrate.

African American buying power is currently 1.1 Trillion, and yet only 2 cents of every dollar an African American spends in this country goes to black-owned businesses.- We are changing that!

Our mission: "Entrepreneurship is a substantial pathway for Black Americans to achieve economic equality and to tackle the racial wealth gap- that's the mission we are on."

– Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon / Creator of The Village Market

Our mission: "entrepreneurship is a substantial pathway for Black Americans to achieve economic equality and to tackle the racial wealth gap- that's the mission we are on."

– Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon / Creator of The Village Market

The Village
Experience

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.

The Village
Experience

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.

Meet
Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon

Founder and CEO of the Village Market

A Mississippi native, Dr. Hallmon has dedicated her life to serving, educating and empowering her community.

Recognized as one of the most brilliant minds in education and business, Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon has transformed the lives of thousands of Black entrepreneurs across the world.  Her love of community, paired with her mantra, “Support Is A Verb,” inspires and educates African Americans to create and build  generational health and wealth.  As an award-winning expert in education,  business development, Hallmon’s innovative Village model has become highly sought-after for Black businesses. Her model has facilitated 8.2 million dollars in sales to Black businesses.  

In 2016, Dr. Hallmon founded the Village Market which has become an economical vehicle that empowers the Black community through cooperative economics. Hallmon has been featured on the Today Show, CNN/ HLN, featured in Forbes, Essence, Inc. Magazine, Black Enterprise, and listed as one of the most successful African American business women and leaders by the Root 100, Forbes 50 Champions, listed by Georgia Trends 500 Most Influential Georgians, and inducted into Atlanta Business Chronicle 40 Under 40.

Hallmon has partnered with the WhiteHouse Office of Public Engagement, Target, WalMart, Mastercard, Verizon, Michael Jordan Foundation, Rockefeller and Kellogg Foundation and more to advance the mission of Black businesses. 

In 2022, Hallmon was appointed to the 61st Mayor of Atlanta transition team to serve on the ethics and procurement committee for the City of Atlanta. Dr. Hallmon currently serves on the board for Invest Atlanta and chairs the URFA Housing committee. 

Learn More:   www.drkeyhallmon.com

“Each of us must dedicate ourselves to serving the good of our people. We are community. Our fate and futures are interconnected. If we act in oneness and in the spirit of togetherness not only can we survive, we can thrive.”

– Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon

 

Meet
Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon

Founder and CEO of the Village Market

Recognized as one of the most brilliant minds in education and business, Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon has transformed the lives of thousands of Black entrepreneurs across the world.  Her love of community, paired with her mantra, “Support Is A Verb,” inspires and educates African Americans to create and build  generational health and wealth.  As an award-winning expert in education,  business development, Hallmon’s innovative Village model has become highly sought-after for Black businesses. Her model has facilitated 8.2 million dollars in sales to Black businesses.  

In 2016, Dr. Hallmon founded the Village Market which has become an economical vehicle that empowers the Black community through cooperative economics. Hallmon has been featured on the Today Show, CNN/ HLN, featured in Forbes, Essence, Inc. Magazine, Black Enterprise, and listed as one of the most successful African American business women and leaders by the Root 100, Forbes 50 Champions, listed by Georgia Trends 500 Most Influential Georgians, and inducted into Atlanta Business Chronicle 40 Under 40.

Hallmon has partnered with the WhiteHouse Office of Public Engagement, Target, WalMart, Mastercard, Verizon, Michael Jordan Foundation, Rockefeller and Kellogg Foundation and more to advance the mission of Black businesses. 

In 2022, Hallmon was appointed to the 61st Mayor of Atlanta transition team to serve on the ethics and procurement committee for the City of Atlanta. Dr. Hallmon currently serves on the board for Invest Atlanta and chairs the URFA Housing committee. 

Learn More:  www.drkeyhallmon.com

“Each of us must dedicate ourselves to serving the good of our people. We are community. Our fate and futures are interconnected. If we act in oneness and in the spirit of togetherness not only can we survive, we can thrive.”

– Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon

Meet
The Team

Click to Contact

Danyel Hickling

Event Operations

Courtney Beavers

Event Operations

Kristen Smith

Event Operations

Mirei Malave

Event Operations

Carol Lee Rose

Branding & Marketing

Sheree R. Swann

Freelance Photographer

Learn More