Fresh Biz: Culture Market 614 (Columbus, Ohio)

The best form of protest is ownership. The deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor sparked a flame within anyone who has the base knowledge/awareness of systematic issues within our country.

Enter Culture Market 614 – the first black-owned supermarket in the Columbus area since 2007.* This initiative consists of 18 different investors and exists as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

Shaundretta House Boykins (President) – owner of Minding My Black Owned Business – joined as investor rather than advisor due to growth opportunities.

Goals: level economic playing field, create generational wealth, increase economic equality/ mainstream visibility, leave legacy for children

Pastor Michael Young – City of Grace leader with excellent wholesome background and ability to connect with the masses. He is one of five pastors on board with this movement.

Juana Manning Williams (Chair of the Board) – a firm proponent of collective effort, encouragement and empowerment of all people.

Tiffany Harris (Secretary) – “This moment chose us.”

*Singletary Plazamart opened in 1985 but closed down 18 months after launch.

As an inclusive grocery store the Culture Market is located at 2215 E. 5th Ave in Columbus and addresses multiple necessary sectors for individuals within that area. They provide access to healthy foods, pharmaceuticals, financial services and telephones.

Their core values are rooted next of kin to the Nguzo Saba.

There will not be any tobacco or alcohol sold in stores as the Culture Market exists as a family type environment that empowers through education and access to vital resources. They have compiled their roster full of individuals with PhD’s, political influence, affluence and intelligence. It only took them seven weeks and six days to arrive from idea development to the point of final purchase agreement.

This location is merely the flagship store as there are many satellite markets set to launch in the coming years. Culture Market addresses practical needs via sustainability, accessibility and ultimately serving the cultural community. They intend to empower the people within the communities by hiring them via workforce development program.

The energy within these buildings is unmatched. Everyone has the mentality to, “Treat the janitor the same way you would treat the CEO.” Above all else, they obey the great Martin Luther King Jr. mantra that the mission is greater than the man.