Meet Dr. Darlene Little | Educator and entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Darlene Little and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Darlene, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

Being an African American and understanding our history, it was important for me in my retirement to find a way to help my community. My husband and I are both retired educators. We have a love for children and youth and want to help in a way that brings long term change in their lives and in that of their families. We started Afri-Soul as a response to the research that states 8 out of 10 black business fail within the first 18 months and that 58% of them report as being at risk. African Americans are at a disadvantage because a lack of business experience (no family members or role models) and the difficulty of black business have acquiring funding to launch or grow their businesses.

It was our desire that by offering a black business incubator, Afri- Soul Education Center, we could address some of these concerns. It is our desire to create entrepreneurship opportunities by which we can begin to help close the economic wealth gap. Afri-soul’s mission is to make it affordable and convenient for new businesses to try out their ideas, learn business practices and to grow a customer base, then it is hoped that more black business will be successful. As a result, families/ youth can begin to understand the need to buy black, youth have first-hand experience seeing and interacting with successful black businesses and begin the journey of building generational wealth.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

My husband and I started traveling to Africa after our retirement and we fell in love with the land, people and artifacts. We started our import business at the African Marketplace in Los Angles. We loved the marketplace vibe and the many persons who wanted to purchase products from Africa and support black businesses.

After closing that business, we wanted the same experience for African American businesses in Phoenix. From 2010 to 2018, we planned, and then opened Afri-Soul Marketplace. The first year was very difficult. We had to use our own funding since we could not convince other businesses that this idea would work. Perseverance, planning for contingencies is the answer to success; we knew we had to hang in there for the long haul. 

Afri-Soul Education Center provides the entire infrastructure to support business start-ups. Entrepreneurs can sell their products or services in a brick and mortar store. They have opportunities to network with other black business owners; learn about financial solutions, host workshops and meetings in a facility that supports their cultural needs. Businesses can select to rent personal space (self-manned) or participate in the open marketplace (manned by Afri-soul staff) host to numerous smaller businesses. 

Business have access to and are featured on the Afri-soul website, social media campaigns, a bi-weekly newsletter, newspaper advertisements, flyers and special events.

I want the world to know that Afri-Soul is about bringing out the best in communities that have been at a disadvantage. We are all better when the least of us are progressing. When we provide a bridge to support people to move up economically, all of us are enriched. Supporting black entrepreneurs and buying black is about helping all communities and all people.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For the first few days the itinerary will focus on Black business in the greater Phoenix area, and then because we are so close to Mexico, I will be sure to include some Mexican cultural venues, followed by just fun and exciting places.

My week long itinerary would start with a visit to Afri-Soul Education Center. The center is host to 37 Black businesses where visitors can shop in the marketplace for clothing, jewelry and facial, body and hair products. They can have a facial by our local esthetician, and then have their photos taken by a professional photographer at Moorevisual Studio & podcast room. Visitors can relax, find a book or have a smoothie or a light meal in Grassrootz Bookstore, the only Black bookstore in Arizona.  They can also participate in any community classes that may be in session in the Unity Room.  Dinner will be at Trap Hause a black owned restaurant specializing in Southern cuisine. We will stroll the many shops on Roosevelt Row, close to Arizona State University, downtown and home to numerous bars, coffee houses, and art and clothing shops.  

Day 2 and 3 we will do a walking tour of downtown Phoenix. We can start the day with the early risers at the Phoenix farmers Market. Not only do they have fresh fruit and vegetables but also articles from Mexico, Africa and home-made goods. Our walking tour can include a movie at the AMC Theater or a play at the Youth Valley Theatre, lunch at the Sheraton Hotel then a rest in Patriots Park. Following our rest, we can go to the Children’ Museum or to the AZ Science Museum. Since it is close by, we can spend the rest of the evening at happy hour at Latha, a new black Restaurant, listening to music then have dinner there.  The next day, breakfast at Morning Squeeze, followed by a ride on the light rail to Tempe, AZ where the main campus of AZ State Univ. is located. We will check out the shops on Mill St. and have lunch or dinner at Hot & Juicy Crawfish before catching the light rail back to Phoenix. For the days left in their vacation, they can visit an African American church is so desired on Jefferson St. Tanner AME, Pilgrim Rest or First Institutional. For lunch or and dinner they can go to Majerle’s (sports fans) or to Chico Malo for a Mexican style brunch. For a little history and culture, we can visit the AZ Latino Arts and History Center. For evening entertainment over the next few days, we can go to the Improv Comedy Club, Stand Up Live and to the Nash and the Rhythm Room for Blues and jazz. To close off the visit, we will revisit Afri-Soul and have our last meal at the yard.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would loke to shout out to the African Marketplace in Los Angles, California. It is no longer in business but was key in our business growth, providing opportunities for Black business to have a presence for over 30 years. They are also the model for Afri-Soul Education Center in Phenix AZ.

Website: www.afri-soul.com

Instagram: afrisouled

Facebook: facebook.com/afrisouleducationcenter