Daily Inspiration: Meet Neelah Hinds

Today we’d like to introduce you to Neelah Hinds.

Hi Neelah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up there were times when we were food insecure. Looking back, that may be why I chose to pursue a career in food. I went to culinary school and periodically volunteered with local food banks, feeding programs, and meal delivery services. For the large majority of my career, I worked for myself as a caterer, and baker.

A few years ago my oldest child’s preschool teacher invited our family to her booth at a local farmers market. We went and had such a good time I decided to apply and got in. That began my career as a vendor for local markets, festivals, and events. In my second year as a vendor, I began to notice things here and there that I would like to see, and for the next few years, the idea developed in my head.

Then 2020 happened to us. While we were stuck at home and I consumed an obscene amount of news from all over the world, I began to realize that the time was now and that there would never be a better time to start. So from March to August 2020, I fleshed out the idea and began pitching it to local non-profits. We got a lot of encouragement, but only one offered us space, which is how the market got its name, The Candler Black Market. From there, my husband gifted me a portion of our stimulus money to start the market, and we have been rolling ever since.

Since then we have had over 300 applicants, and roughly 250 vendors. We have helped 20 businesses get established and or file for their official paperwork. We have opened a second location, The Covington Black Market, and opened a non-profit organization, The Black Market Foundation, with a mentorship program, first cohort begins fall 2022. And we are just getting started.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
There have been so many bumps along the way. In my experience nothing worth doing is easy. Some of our biggest struggles over the years have been finding funding, finding farmers and other vendors who are able to come out consistently, connecting with other community organizations, among other things. We keep pushing because we know there is a need for farm-fresh produce, and entrepreneurship in the communities we are a part of.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The Magnolia Black Markets are a group (currently 2) of black woman-owned farmer’s markets in Metro Atlanta. Our mission centers around the communities we are located in. We bring farm-fresh produce quality alternative grocery options, organic, and handmade personal care products, jewelry, art, and desserts to underserved communities. We also foster financial independence by offering support for aspiring and current entrepreneurs through access to a new customer base via the farmer’s markets; and business development via a mentorship program. We are planning to start our first official cohort fall of 2022. I would say I am most proud of a few things: that we are still here, that we have been able to help new businesses launch, and our community partnerships. This is our third season for our first market, The Candler Black Market, and the new market we opened this season, The Covington Black Market. We have had a few businesses start with us and go on to do great things. Lastly, our partnership with Wholesome Wave Georgia has been invaluable. We have been able to offer SNAP benefits matching (doubling) through the Fresh for Less program since last season for Candler and are working on it for the Covington market. I think the thing that sets us apart from others is where our markets are located and that we are particularly interested in serving the underserved.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
If I could share one thing with your readers I would say to shop local and support small businesses. Outside of the obvious reasons of supporting your friends, neighbors, and or family members’ businesses the pandemic has taught us that the system is broken. We are experiencing supply chain issues in so many industries from baby formula to car chips that are affecting entire industries, and causing price increases across the board. So if we support local small businesses as much as possible global supply chain issues may have less of an impact on our everyday lives. I’d also like to emphasize the idea of supporting black-owned businesses specifically because every day they are open they are beating the odds.

If you’re ever in our neck of the woods on a weekend please come support our small businesses from April – November at:

The Covington Black Market The Candler Black Market
Saturdays 1-5p (except holidays) Sundays 1-5p (except holidays)
Covington Place Plaza The CREST Center
4100 Covington Highway 2321 Candler Road
Decatur, Ga. 30032 Decatur, Ga. 30032

Contact Info:

• Website: magnoliablackmarkets.com
• Instagram: @magnoliablackmarkets
• Facebook: @candlerblackmarket