In an urban area, a food desert is defined as a community located more than one mile from a reliable source of fresh produce. There was a time when the community of South Atlanta was home to many neighborhood grocery stores. Sadly those local stores have been pushed out and replaced with large supermarkets, located miles away. 

This week we’re talking with Jeff Delp, Director of Economic Development for FCS Ministries. FCS is the team behind Carver Neighborhood Market, one of the only neighborhood groceries stores in South Atlanta. We sit down to talk about how they are hoping to bring food justice to the South Atlanta community through access to fresh produce and other healthy foods.

Jeff and the team at Carver Market want to provide access to fresh and healthy foods without changing the South Atlanta community. To find more information about the work they’re doing head to fcsministries.org.

A constant theme with so many of the guests on this show, is that their businesses have been born out of a need within their communities. Who better to find a solution to a need or problem than those directly dealing with the issue themselves? Our guest this week is no different. 

Candace Mitchell is the co-founder and CEO of Myavana, an app that combines technology and science to help women through their hair journey. Today we talk with Candace about how she is leading a startup revolution and how her education at Georgia Tech encouraged her to get here.

Candace and her team at Myavana are using a combination of artificial intelligence and hair experts to guide women to healthier hair. To give the app a try head to myavana.com and make sure you follow them on social media @myavanahaircare.

Make sure to subscribe to Atlanta Born & Brand in Apple Podcasts or wherever you happen to be listening. If you like the show we’d really appreciate a review and a rating. And of course, share it with your friends.

Civic engagement improves our communities. Whether it’s working to get out the vote, campaigning for officials you believe in or volunteering with advocacy groups -- being engaged in your community helps to affect real change. With the Get Empowrd app it’s never been easier to make a difference right in your own neighborhood! This app places democracy right at your fingertips by giving you access to local officials and news. Today, we sit down to talk with Horace Williams, founder and CEO of Empowrd, to hear how he hopes the app will inspire change in local communities across the country.

Empowrd’s goal is to inspire civic engagement beyond elections by giving you access to local officials, engagement events and community groups. An update of the app is launching October 12 -- head to the iOS App store or Android App store to download and get involved today.

One of the best parts about doing this show is that we get to learn something new with each guest we bring on. Today’s guest gave us a chance to learn a different side of the food industry, the ~butter~ side you could say. On a trip to France, Drew and Elizabeth McBath became enamored with the small French creameries and how they were selling their butter. The butter was all locally sourced and made, churned right on the very farm the cream came from in many cases. 

Inspired by the French, upon returning home the two decided to take the plunge and start churning out their own small batches of slow-cultured butter. In the United States, most of the butter we eat has natural flavorings added to it and there are only a small amount of suppliers. The team at Banner Butter is on a mission to change that, one batch at a time. 

You can find Banner Butter throughout the southeast and Texas in your local Whole Foods, Earth Fare and Central Markets. Don’t have one of those shops around? Have no fear, you can also order online at bannerbutter.com.

From the very beginning, we’ve tried to make this podcast about building community. If that’s truly the case, you don’t interview people and forget about them. We think of the people who’ve been on this show like friends, or family even. That being said, when a family member has tough times, you pick them up and when they have a major breakthrough, you celebrate -- and celebrate is what we are here to do today.

On September 18th, 2020, Netflix released The American Barbecue Showdown. It’s an 8-episode reality show pitting some of the nation’s best barbecuers against each other in a competition-style format -- and one of the eight was Atlanta's own Rasheed Philips, founder of Philips Barbeque Co. We originally met Rasheed in season two of the show, but we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring him back for a catchup about this incredible experience.

If you haven’t already, you have got to check out The American Barbecue Showdown on Netflix. And check out everything else Rasheed has going on at philipsbarbeque.com. Also, Rasheed is launching his own podcast as well! Search Entro Podcast on your favorite podcast app to find it.

The sad truth is, that in today's economy Black-owned businesses have a shorter lifespan and make far less money than comparable white-owned businesses that provide the exact same service. Our guest today is doing everything in her power to change that! A few weeks back we jumped on a Zoom call to chat with Dr. Key Hallmon, founder and CEO of The Village Market. The Village Market team has coined the phrase, “Support is a verb.” Through various educational and community events, Dr. Key is on a mission to empower Black entrepreneurs and unite her community.

Amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, so many small businesses have had to pivot their business plan and The Village Market is no different. To stay up to date and find out how you can get involved, head to thevillagemarketatl.com or follow @thevillagemarketatl on social media!

We are back this week to kick off season four! And what better way to start the season than sitting down to chat with one of the men behind the rainbow umbrella? Today, we’re sitting down with Steven Carse, founder of Atlanta favorite King of Pops. After being laid off from his corporate finance job back in 2009, Steven took a leap of faith and -- inspired by frozen treats he had tasted on his travels through Central America -- started King of Pops. A few months later, his brother Nick joined the team. 10 years on, the pair are still working every day to create UMoHs (Unexpected Moments of Happiness) for the community.

To keep up to date on all the latest UMoHs, follow @kingofpops on Instagram or for more information check out kingofpops.com/partners.

We're so excited to announce that season 4 of Atlanta Born & Brand will begin next week! We will continue to introduce you to the stories of the city’s top startups and small business men and women. We can’t wait to see where this new season will take us!

Make sure to subscribe to Atlanta Born & Brand in Apple Podcasts or wherever you happen to be listening. If you like the show we’d really appreciate a review and a rating. And of course, share it with your friends. Keep up with the show on social media: we’re @atlbornbrand on Instagram and Twitter, and you can also like our Atlanta Born and Brand Facebook page. Finally, you can find all the previous episodes of the show on our website atlborn.com.

This week we’re catching up with Atlanta Born & Brand Alumni, David Clapper, co-founder of the camping adventure company sCAMPer Van. David was one of our very first guests on the show back in Season One. Today, we talk about the roller coaster ride that has been COVID-19 and how sCAMPer Van has started to see record breaking traffic, as folks look for a safe escape in nature. 

To keep up with sCAMPer Van follow them on Instagram @scampervan or head to www.scampervan.com.

Today on the show, we’re catching up with Atlanta Born & Brand Alumni, Krystle Rodriguez. Krystle is the owner, co-founder and boss lady extraordinaire behind Hodgepodge Coffee House. We first spoke with Krystle at the very beginning of March, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was about to pick up steam. Being a traditional brick and mortar store, Hodgepodge has faced some challenges the last few months. But Krystle and her team have found a way to pivot their business and give back to the community at the same time. Without further ado, we proudly present to you, Krystle Rodriguez.

To follow Krystle and her team, follow them on Instagram @hodgepodgecoffee or head to their website www.hodgepodgecoffee.com.