Building Virginia Evergreen Book
A Letter from the Website Designer
Dear Community,
I’m so excited to introduce you to Virginia Evergreen Book, a project that has been in my heart for years. Inspired by the legacy of the Negro Motorist Green Book, this directory is designed to amplify and support BIPOC-owned and friendly businesses in Southwest Virginia, the NRV, and the Roanoke area.
This isn’t just a directory—it’s a movement for economic empowerment, inclusivity, and sustainability.
Why I Started Virginia Evergreen Book
As a small business owner, I’ve seen firsthand how much power community-driven support has. But I’ve also seen how hard it can be for BIPOC-owned businesses to gain visibility, connect with values-aligned customers, and access the resources they need to thrive.
One challenge I noticed was that many existing business directories lack an interactive map feature, making it difficult to browse and discover businesses in a way that mirrors how people search for places in real life. Virginia Evergreen Book is built to change that—our directory is map-based, making it easy and practical for users to find businesses near them, filter by identity and values, and engage with businesses in an intuitive and meaningful way.
This is about bridging the gap between awareness and accessibility. Supporting BIPOC-owned businesses should be as simple as opening a map and finding a place that aligns with your values.
Where We’re Headed
I want this project to be as impactful and accessible as possible, so we’re rolling it out in phases:
Phase 1: Regional Launch
We’re starting with Southwest Virginia, the NRV, and Roanoke, allowing businesses to submit their listings while a community steering committee oversees approvals.
Phase 2: Statewide Expansion
Once we’ve built a strong foundation, we’ll expand across Virginia to bring more businesses and community partners.
Phase 3: Open-Source Growth
I believe in sharing this model so other communities can replicate it. In the future, I plan to open-source the business strategy and platform so leaders in different states can build their versions of the Virginia Evergreen Book.
How You Can Be Part of This
This project is community-driven, and it won’t succeed without your support. If this mission speaks to you, here’s how you can get involved:
✔ 📍 Submit a Business – If you know a tremendous BIPOC-owned or friendly business, add it to the directory!
✔ 🎁 Shop Merch – Our merch sales help fund this project and spread awareness. (Coming soon!)
✔ 💙 Contribute to Our Indiegogo – Crowdfunding will help us cover startup costs and grow faster. (Coming soon!)
✔ 👥 Apply for the Steering Committee – Help shape the future of Virginia Evergreen Book.
✔ 📢 Advertise With Us – If you own a business, consider a featured listing or sponsorship to reach values-aligned customers. (Coming soon!)
A Commitment to Transparency & Facilitating, Not Leading
I want to acknowledge that I am not a part of the BIPOC community, which is precisely why the Virginia Evergreen Book is structured as a community-led project. My role is to serve as a facilitator, using my skills to uplift the ideas and decisions of the steering committee rather than leading unilaterally.
I believe that the best solutions come from within the community itself, and my job is to help bring those ideas to life with my skills and resources. That’s why our Steering Committee will oversee all major decisions, ensuring that this directory remains truly by and for the people it serves.
At the same time, I am committed to financial transparency—Virginia Evergreen Book is a for-profit business. However, every dollar earned through premium listings, crowdfunding, and advertising will be reinvested into the project and other community initiatives. The plan is to share 100% of purchase receipts and financial statements — and leave nothing to be desired.
At the moment, this is a self-funded, privately owned endeavor. However, my idea is that one of our steering committee members can be chosen to be the sole owner of the business entity while operating with a community-guided spirit—led by the committee—as if it were a non-profit organization.
Let’s Build This Together
This is just the beginning, and I genuinely believe Virginia Evergreen Book can become a game-changer for BIPOC-owned and friendly businesses across Virginia. If you believe in supporting economic empowerment, intersectionality, and community-driven business, I’d love for you to be part of this journey.
Thank you for being here. Let’s build something amazing together.
Join the movement, submit a business, or contribute today!
With gratitude,
Sarah
Website Designer, Virginia Evergreen Book
