This week Everything Co-op continues its Black History Month series celebrating the 2026 theme: A Century of Black History Commemorations, with amaha sellassie, board president of Gem City Market. Vernon and amaha will reflect upon a Century of Black Cooperative history, and the progression of Gem City Market.
Amaha sellassie is a peace builder, social healer, freedom fighter, network weaver and lover of humanity. amaha is a practitioner scholar dedicated to building bridges of trust, healing historical wounds, and harnessing the unique gifts and talents of every human being as we press towards a just and equitable society.
A dedicated community organizer, amaha champions the causes of marginalized groups, striving to amplify their voices in public policy. As a co-founder of the Gem City Market, amaha has been instrumental in a community-led initiative to address food apartheid by enhancing access to fresh produce in West Dayton. Additionally, amaha serves as the Director of the Center for Applied Social Issues and is a Sociology professor at Sinclair Community College.