Rafa Wright

Social Entrepreneur

Scott: How long have you been cooking at a commercial level?

Rafa: I’ve been assisting at the commercial level since 2021 with my brother Jermond and my sister Ederique through Taste The Diaspora. Before that, I wasn’t worth much of anything in the kitchen.

Scott: Why did you start gardening?

Rafa: Originally, I started growing food to save money. Once the pandemic began, I began market gardening to help feed the community. Knowing I had the grocery store project, Neighborhood Grocery, in motion, I thought I could add value to that initiative by growing food commercially.

Scott: What inspired you to open up a grocery store?

Rafa: Community development is the motivation. There’s no development without healthy food access with the community controlling that food.

Scott: What does “Make the Hood Healthy Again” mean to you?

Rafa: A health cleanse, restoration, and practice of the spirit, mind, and body. We believe black people were there at some point in our ancient past and I want to be involved in getting us back there.

Scott: What was a roadblock in your journey?

Rafa: There’s been many. Too many to name actually. One roadblock is being taken seriously enough to acquire the resources - money, technical assistance, relationships, etc. to do this kind of work. It’s been a long journey but worth it in the end. 

Scott: What are your goals for the next year?

Rafa: To do what I’m doing this year, but better and more efficiently.

Scott: One positive thing about yourself?

Rafa: I’m a girl dad. Nothing more positive than that.

Scott: What are your top 5 restaurants in Detroit?

Rafa: Baobab Fare, Flowers of Vietnam, Norma G, Armando’s, Fishbones