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 generational health and wealth. As an award-winning expert in education, business development, plant-based living, she leaves an indelible mark on any business that walks through her door.

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, Bustle, and listed as one of the most successful African American business women and leaders by the Root 100 and Forbes 50 Champions.

Hallmon is a proud graduate of Tougaloo College, where she has been inducted into the esteemed 40 Under 40 and is a LifeTime alumni member.

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

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

A social entrepreneur, curator, speaker and passionate educator, Dr. Hallmon is committed to revitalizing and unifying her community by curating community led events that celebrates the arts, change makers, entrepreneurs, plant based advocates and educators.

“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

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