October 15th 2025.
The inspiring story of Rhonda Vesey, who went above and beyond to bring a grocery store to a neglected neighborhood in Syracuse, New York, shows the power of community leadership. According to Syracuse.com, sometimes it takes the determination and drive of local residents to bring about the changes needed in their own communities.
Rhonda, a former corporate finance professional and the daughter of a Civil Rights pioneer from the 1950s, refused to sit back and watch as her neighborhood, known as the Valley, was left without access to fresh food options after Tops Friendly Markets closed down. With the help of Buffalo-based grocery entrepreneur A.K. Kaid, Rhonda, affectionately known as "Aunt Rhonda," spearheaded a grassroots campaign to replace Tops with the Super Imperial Market. This new store offers a variety of fresh produce, meats, prepared hot foods, and other essential grocery items.
Kaid recognized Rhonda as a key player in the project, praising her for taking on the role of an auntie by staying on top of every aspect of the process. The Super Imperial Market officially opened its doors in May 2025, after undergoing renovations that cost $2.1 million.
Rhonda's determination and perseverance were evident as she knocked on every door in the neighborhood, utilizing her extensive network of contacts, including the plaza owner, Ellicott Development, which was founded by former New York gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino. For five years, she sent countless emails, made numerous phone calls, and met with grocery store operators across the Northeast, all while relentlessly lobbying local, state, and federal officials for support.
In 2020, Rhonda left her career in finance to focus all her energy on creating Food Access Healthy Neighborhoods Now, a local organization that works with volunteers to bring fresh food options to neighborhoods labeled as food deserts - areas where residents have limited access to fresh produce near their homes. Not only has her work provided much-needed nourishment to those in need, but it has also helped Rhonda personally as she coped with the loss of her mother. As she shared with Local Syr, "Since [I started], I have not been depressed. I've been running fast and furious."
Rhonda is determined to continue her efforts, stating, "Having the title of being the most impoverished city in the nation is an ugly title. And that's another reason why I'm going to keep running."
When Tops closed its doors in 2018, it was the only source of fresh food in the area. The nearest options were two miles away, posing a significant challenge for low-income residents who often lack reliable transportation. Sadly, Syracuse is not the only city facing this issue. Lack of access to fresh food is a problem in nearly every American city, particularly those with a significant Black and Hispanic population. City leaders often struggle to convince store owners to invest in low-income areas.
Muncie, Indiana, located in Delaware County, is one such city. According to Cardinal Media, 64% of the 65,000 residents live in food deserts. Becca Clawson, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, shared that the county has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the state.
But thanks to Black women like Aunt Rhonda, who have taken on the challenge of creating reliable food options, there is hope for change. As Rhonda stated, "We don't want to see a store leave us again. It can't happen."
In a similar vein, meet Tameka Jackson-Dyer, who is championing for Black breastfeeding mamas in Metro Detroit. Her passion for this cause highlights the strength and resilience of Black women, who continue to make a positive impact in their communities.
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