MHD and Cohost Chavonne Taylor sit down with Akil West to discuss he developed cooperative retail space for young designers, how he organized a community land trust in Leimert Park, and what it means to "buy back the block" in South LA.

Akil West is a Los Angeles native entrepreneur, master gardener, author, and community advocate. After being incarcerated for 15 years, West committed his life’s work to develop opportunities for people of color in his community. West is the founder of Black-owned and operated Community Land Trust, a community-based initiative dedicated to stabilizing predominantly Black and underserved neighborhoods through community leadership and awareness surrounding the issues of housing, transportation, recreation, and economic opportunity. West is also the CEO and founder of Leimert Park Village’s Sole Folks, a nonprofit retail hub dedicated to cultivating Black entrepreneurship and creativity through innovative programming, mentorship, and financial support. Currently, West is the Treasurer of the Leimert Park Village Merchants Association and Principal at New Black Wallstreet.

www.sole-folks.myshopify.com/pages/about-us

www.instagram.com/solefolks