Lakeysha Hallmon
Social Entrepreneur, Educator, Founder & CEO of the Village Market
Affectionately known as “Dr. Key,” she moves businesses from sales to success, and inspires them to become doers,
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Full Bio
Affectionately known as “Dr. Key,” she moves businesses from sales to success, and inspires them to become doers, supporters and leaders of change. The mission-forward visionary advocates and empowers artisans, creators, and burgeoning Black businesses who want to thrive. After founding the Village Market ATL in 2016, she has reached and served 1440 businesses and facilitated 5.3 million dollars of direct sales to Black-owned businesses. Now with several verticals under the Village Market moniker, Dr. Key has recently expanded her village to include her storefront The Village at Ponce City Market, a curated collection of premier Black businesses. She has cultivated a team of her own, employing 100% Black people, over 90% of them women. From Atlanta all the way to the Bahamas, the Mississippi-bred thought leader helps businesses with big ideas turn them into even bigger profit. Her goal is to build a Black mecca, where Black businesses can build and grow anywhere, and with several market storefronts on the way, she’s just getting started.
Dr. Key’s expertise in education spans 15 years, where she has served as a critical voice and advocate for creating empowering learning and work environments for students and employees and is deeply passionate about work efficacy and social-emotional learning.
Dr. Key has been featured in Forbes, Essence, Black Enterprise, CNN/ HLN, the Today Show, NOW THIS, the Source, Atlanta Business Chronicle, The Atlanta Voice, Madame Noire, Side Hustle Pro, Therapy for Black Girls, Black on Air.
A sought-after speaker, served as the keynote speaker for the Fall graduating class at Clark Atlanta University and the Boys and Girls Club of NW Mississippi and graced the stages of the Steve Harvey Foundation, Hope Global Forum, Beyond School Hours National Conference, Students At-Risk Conference, National Summer Institute Conference, GA Federal Programs Conference, the Power Rising Conference, EnricHER Conference, Atlanta University Center’s Financial Literacy and Innovation Conference, and the HBCU Entrepreneurship Financial Literacy Expo.
Walker’s Legacy has honored Dr. Hallmon. In 2017, she was inducted into the 40 under 40 Society at her undergraduate alma mater, Tougaloo College. Dr. Hallmon is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
An Evening With Lakeysha Hallmon
Videos
Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon Talks Black Business, Financial Literacy, The Village Market + More
Support Is A Verb with Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon of Village Market! With Chico Bean and Karlous Miller
Books
News
Testimonials
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