Atlanta entrepreneurship hub aims to transform city into a thriving Black business mecca

A metal statue of a man plastering on a wall.
The Russell Center is decorated with murals, photos of Herman, and even a statue of him plastering over the negativity that Black business owners face. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

Updated on 10/09/24 at 12:12 p.m.

The vibrations of 90’s reggae music welcome patrons to a New York-style convenience store tucked neatly into the back of the first-floor food hall of Ponce City Market.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, LaRayia Gaston owns LaRayia’s Bodega. The drinks on the menu are named after Black and brown celebrities.