Prosperity Market is, as its website states, “not your average farmers market.” Created in 2021 by Kara Still and Carmen Dianne, the pop-up events bring a curated selection of produce, pantry items, and prepared foods across Los Angeles, with a focus on supporting Black farmers, food producers, and chefs from across the state and the nation.
On Sunday, Sept. 1, Prosperity Market celebrated the end of August as National Black Business Month with a pop-up market at Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen on Slauson Avenue in View Park, featuring more than 50 local vendors and farmers, including Compton Vegan, My Daddy’s Recipes, Ace Naturals, and Chef Brandi Biggles.
In addition, shoppers enjoyed promotions of the award-winning Hulu series, “Reasonable Doubt,” Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop, and 1010 Wine in Inglewood. KJLH’s Tammi Mac made an appearance, along with presentations and activities by area merchants.
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The event also featured the wrap-up of Prosperity Market’s 4th Annual Black Business Scavenger Hunt, with more than 100 Black-owned businesses participating across L.A., and a first look at the market’s 48-foot trailer, to be officially launched in early 2025. The solar-powered and electric vehicle will contain a farmers-market-on-wheels as well as kitchen space, where food entrepreneurs can create an elevated food truck experience.
Dianne, a Hollywood makeup artist whose work was stalled during the pandemic, said that Prosperity Market was created to offset the downturn that Black businesses were experiencing.
“We had a lot of time to observe what was happening,” she said. “We saw all the businesses – especially the Black-owned businesses – that were closing, and we felt we had a solution to support ownership and to circulate the dollar. We wanted to start with food, because that’s the most essential thing there is.”
Still, a fashion designer, said that Prosperity Market’s goal to serve both underserved areas and areas without a diverse shopping environment, includes plans for growth beyond the L.A. area.
“We get to expand the reach of our vendors, grow their customer base, and serve communities that don’t necessarily have plentiful options,” Still said. “That’s always been the goal: to have trailers in different cities, because it supports the local economy and the local food system.”
Donald Sherman, owner of Sherman Produce Market in Fresno, said that Prosperity Market has given his business an introduction to an audience beyond the Central Valley.
“I appreciate the fact that they reached out, I reached out,” said Sherman, who has brought his produce to other Prosperity Market pop-ups. “It gives me a good idea about what the area … and the people need: clean fresh produce … pesticide-free, the same things that we want.”
Celia Sherman, who with her husband operates their own store in Fresno, said that Prosperity Market has been an opportunity for the small number of California’s Black farmers to provide much-needed healthy choices for diverse communities.
“You can feel that people really appreciate what we bring,” she said. “It’s the payoff, when you see people enjoy what you grow.”
Prosperity Market’s focus on improving the physical and economic health of communities includes sharing global traditions. Shaëlle Etienne, owner of BANANE, is a political refugee who was born in Haiti and creates innovative and plant-based versions of Haitian dishes from a commercial kitchen in Van Nuys.
“I wanted to come up with a way to support my country in a sustainable way, because I see how my mom sends money back all the time,” said Etienne. “I also wanted U.S. Americans to experience Haitian culture… why not make it … food that is mindful, food that has purpose.”
As a small business owner, Etienne said she appreciates the commitment Prosperity Market has to its vendors.
“Entrepreneurship can be a little discouraging sometimes,” she said. “Even just morally, it feels good to be part of a community that you know is sending you resources. Everybody is encouraged here to shop and to support us.”
