The HBCU Green Fund celebrated Juneteenth with a groundbreaking on an eco-friendly container hub for Atlanta’s English Avenue community.
The HBCU hub along Joseph E. Boone Boulevard will provide healthy options for people living in the area. It will consist of a container used as a smoothie bar and a container used as a farmer’s market, with fresh, affordable produce. The goal is to also provide a space for sustainability, education and training.
“The main thing is to be able to educate our community about what can make them sustainable, because sustainability of the grass is great, but what about you? Can you sustain yourself?” said Shade’ Yvonne Jones, CEO of Green is Life.
The HBCU Green Fund is behind this. They are a local nonprofit that works with historically Black colleges and universities to promote student engagement in green initiatives. They plan to include HBCU students and community members.
“Neighborhoods used to be walkable, and we don’t want a pretty park without people,” said HBCU Green Fund founder Felicia Davis. “So, we’re seeing the people in the park being able to come across the street to the cafe.”
Davis said this is critical for the people who live here, some of whom don’t have access to healthy food or the transportation to get to it.
“The park is lovely, but if you wanted to get a snack right now you go to the corner store… nothing against them, because thank goodness something is there,” Davis said. “But if you wanted an apple, a piece of fruit or vegetables, you have to find your way to a grocery store, which is far beyond walking distance.”
According to Davis, the hope is to have the hub completed in four to six weeks.