Jannah On Grafton Provides Newarkers With Healthy Food, Urban Gardening Advocacy, & Sustainable Education
Lot 50 on Grafton Avenue in the city’s North Ward was once a wasteland but has since found a glorious rebirth.
The community can thank Bilal and Breonna Walker, two educators who have transformed the lot into a community garden unlike any other in Newark. The garden named, Jannah on Grafton, is encouraging nearby residents to view the thriving space as a haven for sustainable food access and cooperative economics, and no longer a space for litter and crime.
The project was inspired by religion. The Walkers are practicing Muslims and one of the central principles of their faith is helping others.
Through the city’s Adopt-a-Lot program, the Walkers hope to provide twenty local families access to healthy food options, urban gardening advocacy, and sustainable education workshops.
We caught up with Bilal Walker to discuss his unique ventures as an entrepreneur and so much more!
Donate to Jannah On Grafton
Donations help us secure funding to purchase the property, keep our land in great condition, and outsource programming!
What was the hardest thing for you getting started?
The hardest thing getting started would have to be navigating through all the obstacles of Covid-19. The garden is not only a symbol for food sovereignty but it is a localized place for the community to gather, learn, and recreate. Covid-19 put a halt to a lot of our in-person programming at the garden, making it really difficult to interact with the community. Another difficulty getting started was funding. In order to rehabilitate the lot, we constantly need materials, supplies and tools. We try to make with what we have but funding can make the process of rehabilitating the lots much easier.
Describe your day as a business owner.
My daily schedule typically fluctuates. I’m usually up by 6am and for about an hour I water the garden. After that I typically spend time cleaning the grounds of the garden. Once this is complete, I spend time researching plants for the garden. I like to also research and learn about Black experiences towards urban gardening. The rest of my day is usually spent between creating content for social media, email inquiries, and planning for future programming/events.
How is your business impacting people/the community for the better?
The Jannah on Grafton initiative isn't the end all be all to eliminating food poverty, but it is simply a hope to build a stronger, sustainable, and more self-reliant community. Our objective is to expand access to healthy food options through transforming a 24x80 sq. ft vacant lot on Newark's Grafton Avenue into a space for community gardening and programming. The community has been so supportive and active within the garden! We believe we are starting a trend within inner city communities alike.
What do you think about Makerhoods?
Makerhoods brings hope to the city. All of your initiatives from reinventing the Krueger-Scott Mansion to providing store fronts are for the people, entrepreneurs of the city. People sometimes just need a guiding light to follow and a helping hand. I believe Makerhoods is a guiding light and a helping hand.
What advice would you give any self-starting entrepreneur?
Your passion should not revolve around money but your purpose and passion should at the main cause be to help others. Jannah on Grafton may not make me rich but it will bring richness to my community in the sense of knowledge and sustainable food options.
Anthony Smith, Community Outreach Coordinator
After graduating college and returning back to my hometown of Newark, NJ I became a member of the Newark Makerhoods team. This transformative experience put me in touch with many local entrepreneurs who are all in different business stages, ranging from established to upstart. Newark is a thriving city for talented creators. I'm here to share their stories and launch their business to the everyday public’s eye.