Boston Medical Center is proud to be part of Nubian Markets, a BIPOC-owned venture to create a local grocery store offering fresh foods, prepared meals, a café, and gathering space right in the heart of Roxbury’s Nubian Square.
The market is part of BMC’s commitment to community health and wealth-building. Entrepreneurs face many hurdles when pursuing business financing. This is especially true for entrepreneurs of color. To make their Nubian Markets vision come to life, co-owners Ismail Samad and Yusuf Yassin turned to Boston Medical Center, whose campus is less than a mile from Nubian Square.
“The perception was that a community in Roxbury couldn’t support a grocery store economically, and therefore, it was too risky and you couldn’t get financing,” says BMC pediatrician Megan Sandel, MD, MPH. “But BMC wanted to invest in Black entrepreneurs — so we leaned in with a $1 million no-interest loan.”
At BMC, we know we have to do more than provide excellent medical care for our city to be well. Our partnership with Nubian Markets is a testament to our focus on economic mobility, because wealth is health.
Learn more in this HealthCity story about the impact Nubian Markets has on its diverse community.
Visit Nubian Markets
Nubian Markets officially opened its doors in spring of 2023 and is located at 2565 Washington St, Boston, MA 02119. It is open Monday through Saturday from 7am – 8pm and Sunday from 9am – 6pm (grocery only). For the most up-to-date information, please visit their website.
Behind the scenes
Samad and Yassin drew on their African American and East African roots and Muslim faith to create food options that would resonate with people in the neighborhood. Hear from Yassin and BMC leaders in the brief video below about how Nubian Markets provides more access to fresh and healthy foods in the Roxbury zip code.
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