One woman determined to lift up the community is creating a business incubator for minority small businesses — in the form of an open-air market — in the Richmond Heights neighborhood.

  • Orlando Unity to provide resources for minority businesses
  • Creator is meeting with different organizations to form partnerships
  • Community mixer will be held Feb. 25

“I want to give them empowerment, and training and knowledge and wisdom and an opportunity to make money immediately," said Rena Peterson with Orlando Unity. “No matter who’s out here, selling their goods and services, or who’s patronizing the field, the community prospers. That’s the vision I have.”

While it was unanimously approved for a year-long, temporary land use by the city council in January, for Peterson, the weekend market for 100 minority businesses was a dream ten years in the making.

“I’ve seen a decline in morale of our people. I want to find a way to rejuvenate that spirit that we used to have back in the day," she said. “There’s a lot of lack in our communities, and the resources are there, they’re not in our community.”

Her non-profit will offer space at the Orlando Unity Business Market, but also tax training and legal advice to foster self-sufficiency. Monthly meetings will be held at the neighboring James R. Smith Center.

Peterson is now meeting with lawyers, other activists and organizations — like the Orlando Waves professional basketball team — in order to form community partnerships.

However, more work needs to be done to transform the 9-acre tract of land along Bruton Boulevard into an outlet for opportunity: concrete needs to be laid, trees groomed and privacy fencing erected. Peterson has volunteers willing to help, but needs more.

“I have a lot of work to do. And we’re just getting ready to start pulling permits," she said. "We need people of all backgrounds, construction, business, attorney services."

The entrepreneur made an agreement with the Walker family, who has owned the property for decades, to use the land to benefit the community.

Peterson said she aims to open the market in late April, and has about 60 businesses already interested in the venture.

"From what I've gotten, the communication is ecstatic. They can't wait for it to happen," she said. "This is an African-American owned, female business. It's exciting, it's almost surreal."

Orlando Unity will hold its first community mixer on Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the James R. Smith Center. The event will be led by Richmond Heights HOA.

Peterson said she's hoping for more volunteers to help with everything, from construction to contracts.

For more information, visit www.orlandounity.org.