About Virginia Evergreen Book

Virginia Evergreen Book is a community-driven directory designed to uplift and support BIPOC-owned and friendly businesses across Southwest Virginia and beyond.

Our mission is to create an accessible, reliable resource that helps residents and visitors discover and support businesses that reflect the rich diversity of our region.

Community-Guided

This project is shaped by a steering committee of BIPOC business owners, community leaders, and organizers who guide its direction, vet listings, and ensure that Virginia Evergreen remains a tool built for the community, by the community.

Meet the Steering Committee

Alan “AJ” Johnson

Aishah-Nyeta Brown

Transparency

& Sustainability

Virginia Evergreen is a for-profit venture that operates with nonprofit-style transparency.

100% of revenue is reinvested into maintaining and expanding the directory or supporting initiatives that benefit the community. Businesses can submit listings for free, with optional paid features available to help sustain the project.

Behind The Scenes

“Although I am not a member of the BIPOC community, it bothered me that there’s no interactive directory for this when the costs of maintaining and hosting it are not significant. With the support of the steering committee, my role is to organize, maintain, and fund the platform while ensuring that the steering committee has the power to shape its ownership and future. Also, acts of service are my love language—so if building this directory helps even one business gain a new regular, then my mission was accomplished.”

- Sarah (Website Designer)