INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett is putting a spotlight on Black-owned businesses as part of Black History Month.
Friday, Hogsett made a stop at African Market on East 38th Street near North Franklin Road. City officials say the area is one of the largest food deserts not only in Indianapolis, but in the entire country.
The market's owner, Bintou Camara, said the struggle to find fresh food in her neighborhood inspired her to open the store.
"I used to travel to the west side when I needed stuff, like stuff we sell," she said. "One day I said, 'How about I come up with a store like that so we all don't have to travel all the way to the west side. It will be here."
Last year, the city's Office of Public Health and Safety awarded African Market a Seed to Store grant. The program connects minority-owned farms to stores like Camara's to make sure they have access to affordable produce.