To celebrate Black Business Month, Capital B Atlanta is profiling innovative entrepreneurs during the month of August.

Kiyomi Rollins, founder of The Ke’nekt Cooperative, has been told by many visitors that when they enter her café, it feels like home — that it feels like a hug. As a regular, I wholeheartedly agree. When I first walked in, I was greeted with vibrant oranges, soft lighting, and a cheerful “Hello, Lovely!” from Rollins herself. It felt more like someone’s home than a business.

But it’s so much more than a café. As Rollins describes it, The Ke’nekt — a worker cooperative — is a space rooted in community care, shared power, and economic self-determination. Providing services ranging from microloans to tech support, it has bolstered over 150 Black-owned businesses, helped distribute hundreds of thousands in economic resources, and offered culturally grounded programming designed to uplift — not just sustain — its community. It’s a model centered on Black joy, belonging, and vision — not just survival.

Now, The Ke’nekt is proud to announce One Acre for Change — a community powered effort that helped secure 1 acre of land. Nearly half of that land, 20,000-square-feet, will house a campus that will be a permanent home for Black-owned businesses. It will have a co-working area, child care, retail space, mental health service, and more. It’s located on the same West End street where Rollins was once displaced. The group is looking to break ground this fall. The Juneteenth announcement signaled more than equitable growth, she said — it was a declaration.

“Community work isn’t tidy — it’s layered. And ownership is a long game. There’s power in being able to say: ‘We stayed. We built. We belong.’”

I caught up with Rollins to talk about her journey, what this moment means, and her vision for the road ahead.

Capital B Atlanta: Tell me about your journey — from being displaced to becoming a founder.

Kiyomi Rollins: Six years ago, I rallied folks to a meeting about the redevelopment of West End Mall because I wanted Black-owned businesses — especially legacy ones — to have a voice. But during that very meeting, we received eviction letters. It was devastating. There were no real plans to support us, and it became clear we were being pushed out.

I was tired. I didn’t want to sit through another meeting or keep asking what would happen. I just wanted to work — and help others do the same. So I decided, if I was going to take on a space, I’d bring other businesses with me. That’s how The Ke’nekt started. Now, people from the Netherlands and England come to see how we do community in the West End.

How do you “do community” at The Ke’nekt — and what makes the West End worth fighting for?

We center care, access, and shared power. It’s not just about events — it’s about making people feel seen, safe, and like they belong.

That starts with honoring who’s already here. You don’t need to dream about a better neighborhood — you just need to see the greatness that already exists. West End is rich. The culture is deep. The people? Brilliant. All we’ve ever needed is investment that believes in us like we believe in each other.

How did those investments come about?

Our startup phase included “Believe In You” impact investments from the Homestead Foundation and Kindred Futures — organizations that believed in our theory of community before it was fully realized. That early support allowed us to grow the vision and purchase 1 acre of land for the people who live here. We remain committed to nurturing this ecosystem and supporting the dreams of those who call this place home.

How does it feel, being back where it all started?

It’s the same street — literally — where we were once evicted. Now, I’m signing a purchase agreement to build something new. That’s full circle.

To walk that land and know I’m not renting — I’m building — was overwhelming. There’s trauma there, but also healing. We’re creating something permanent for the people who’ve always been here. This is about turning adversity into opportunity.