Following the 2020 high-profile killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, the Village Worcester was born to be an Afrocentric cultural, learning, and healing center in Main South. From their positions leading the small nonprofit, the mother-and-daughter team of Jones and Medina (pictured) have an outsized influence to rally the community to important causes, provide a place for Black culture to thrive, and advocate for disadvantaged populations.
The Village was converted from the former Stone Soup Artist/Activist Collective organization, and Medina and Jones rehabilitated an historical building in Worcester’s Main South neighborhood, so the organization could have a physical space. In fiscal 2023, it generated $293,553 in revenue and held $925,805 in assets.
While the organization offers community events like drum circles and a marketplace, Jones and Medina are quick to urge followers to show up when needed most, such rallying at the Worcester District Court after a mother and daughter were detained by immigration officials on May 8 in Worcester. Medina and Jones don’t shy away either, such as refusing for their 2025 Black Heritage Committee to raise a Juneteenth flag at Worcester City Hall for 2025, in protest of the City’s policy of only having such flags raised for one day.Â
Brad Kane is editor of the Worcester Business Journal.
