About this Event
From the founder of Atlanta’s thriving Village Market comes an inspirational guide for entrepreneurs and leaders, showcasing the transformative power of community support to overcome systemic barriers to business success.
This book isn’t just for one kind of entrepreneur—it’s for every kind. Whether you're thriving with purpose or struggling to grow your business and battle self-doubt, No One is Self-Made offers solutions and encouragement you need to push forward with the right community. From the visionary behind the groundbreaking Village Market, a direct pipeline connecting Black businesses to engaged consumers, this inspirational guide dares to dismantle the myth of individualism and reveals how collective support can shatter systemic barriers to success. It’s a bold roadmap for entrepreneurs and leaders determined to rewrite the rules of business.
Support is a verb.
Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon keeps this mantra pinned to her wall as a reminder of the undeniable impact of community. When she was pursuing her entrepreneurial dreams, she quickly saw the racial disparities and systemic issues affecting Black small businesses. She began meeting many brilliant entrepreneurs and small business owners, recognizing their potential to soar if backed by invested supporters.
In response, Dr. Hallmon founded the Village Market and challenged people to put the “Support is a Verb” mantra to action by rallying around businesses within their own communities. As a result, The Village Market funneled millions of dollars into local businesses, attacking the wealth gap and spiriting economic prosperity. This replicable model has inspired others nationwide to adopt a similar approach and economic strategy. She found that her beliefs were true: that by rooting our lives, businesses, and work in community–we find resources to create and support economic mobility from within.
No One Is Self-Made is an inspirational narrative weaving together themes of community, purposeful businesses, and collective economics. This book debunks the myth of being self-made and empowers readers to abandon the notion and lean into community on their pathway to success. Entrepreneurs at any stage of growth will appreciate Dr. Hallmon’s story—with all the ups and downs of founding the Village Market—and the road-tested advice she dispenses for those trying to find success in business, career, and life. She explains economic and social factors, missteps that can derail goals, and the tools necessary to create their own thriving village. Along the way, it becomes clear why working within a collective is a more effective path to success than going it alone.
Dr. Lakeysha “Key” Hallmon, EdD, is a mission-forward visionary, author, and social entrepreneur celebrated for her unique “Village Model,” renowned for its innovative structure and community-centered approach. Since founding The Village Market in 2016, Dr. Key has served over 1,440 businesses and facilitated $8.8 million in direct sales to Black-owned enterprises and $ 800,000 in grants. She set a new standard for success among Black-owned businesses by integrating programs offering grants, mentorship, and technical assistance through her nonprofit, Our Village United. Dr. Hallmon has expanded her mission with The Village Retail, a flagship retail store for Black brands.
Dr. Key's mantra, “Support is A Verb,” propels businesses from Atlanta to the Bahamas, turning big ideas into big profits. Dr. Key is the author of “No One Is Self-Made: Build Your Village to Flourish in Business and Life.” In this transformative book, she dismantles the myth of individualism, showing how collaboration and community are the true paths to overcoming systemic barriers and establishing economic prosperity.
She has been recognized by esteemed publications such as Forbes, Inc. Magazine. Essence, Black Enterprise, CNN/HLN, the Today Show, and more. A sought-after speaker, she has graced the stages at prominent events hosted by organizations like the Aspen Global Inclusive Growth Summit, Bloomberg, AD Color, Goodwill of America, and Clark Atlanta University, as well as conferences such as the National Urban League & Hope Global Forum. Her notable accomplishments include induction into the 40 Under 40 Society at Tougaloo College, 40 under 40 Atlanta Business Chronicle, Trailblazer Award Atlanta Business League, Georgia Trend’s 500 Most Successful Businesses, and being listed among The Root 100 Successful African Americans and the inaugural Forbes 50 Champions. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens appointed Dr. Hallmon to serve on the Women’s Advisory Council and the ethics and procurement committee for the City of Atlanta’s 61st Mayor transition team. As a board member for Invest Atlanta, Dr. Hallmon advocates for equitable opportunities within the business and affordable housing landscape. Dr. Hallmon serves on the Board of Trustees for Tougaloo College.
Dr. Hallmon is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
1030 Elysian Fields Ave, 1030 Elysian Fields Avenue, New Orleans, United States
USD 0.00 to USD 36.69
