For many, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to difficult times.

For Navi Johnson, it was the impetus for a new public space for African-Americans.

The Henrico native is the founder of RVA Black Farmers Market, which has sought to create ways for African-American farmers, gardeners and other merchants to come together safely and share resources since it launched last June.

Seeing the negative effects of the pandemic and a greater shift to growing food among the African-American community, Ms. Johnson envisions the new initiative as one that can serve a number of essential roles.

“I wanted to create a space to celebrate how we triumph and overcome in hard times,” Ms. Johnson says.

Starting Saturday, May 8, RVA Black Farmers Market will host markets throughout the month in rotating locations. The first market will be held from 8 a.m. to noon at U-Turn, 2101 Maywill St., where it will be held every second Saturday of the month.

On Sunday, May 9, and every second and fourth Sunday during the season, the market will be at the 17th Street Farmers’ Market in Shockoe Bottom.

And every third Saturday of the month, beginning May 15, the market will be held at The Way of the Lord Fellowship Church, 1700 Blair St. in the Near West End.

So far, the market has partnered with more than a dozen purveyors who also provide their wares through boxed deliveries available for purchase online. Items range from food and skin care products to wines and much more.

Ms. Johnson sees the market’s work as a conduit of resiliency for the African-American community in starting their own businesses and staying afloat financially after losing jobs during the pandemic. She also views the market as fostering the power of food sovereignty for the community.

“A lot of us live in food deserts where access to fresh food isn’t a common thing,” Ms. Johnson says. “Being dependent on others to provide us the sustenance needed is a downfall, and a lot of us learned during the early days of the pandemic that we have to be able to do it for ourselves.”

Looking to the future, Ms. Johnson is laser-focused on expanding the market’s reach. Adding more farmers and gardeners is a major priority for her.

“Black people need to be educated on growing their own foods and creating what they need because we don’t know what the future holds,” Ms. Johnson says. “It is important to be prepared and know that we can take care of each other and ourselves.”

Meet an advocate for self-reliance and community resilience and this week’s Personality, Navi Johnson:

No. 1 volunteer position: Founder, RVA Black Farmers Market.

Date and place of birth: Sept. 9 in Henrico County.

Where I live now: Henrico County.

Education: Bachelor’s in English from Virginia State University; studied magazine, newspaper and online journal- ism at Syracuse University.

Occupation: Owner of V The Writer Press, LLC; music artist and independent contractor.

RVA Black Farmers Market’s mission: To provide a space for African-American farm- ers and merchants to come together safely and share our resources.

When and why RVA Black Farmers Market founded: In June 2020. I was inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic and the unforeseen circumstances that followed — store closures and things of that nature. I noticed because of it, a lot of African-Americans began to grow their own food again. I wanted to create a space to celebrate how we triumph and overcome in hard times.

What food sovereignty means for the Black community: Being able to provide for ourselves and our community is powerful in the Black community. A lot of us live in food deserts where access to fresh food isn’t a common thing. Being dependent on others to provide us the sustenance needed is a downfall, and a lot of us learned during the early days of the pandemic that we have to be able to do it for ourselves.

How RVA Black Farmers Market represents resiliency: In the beginning of the season last year, a lot of vendors had just lost their jobs due to the pandemic. The market not only shows resiliency as far as growing our own foods in hard times, but starting businesses and being in a space to make financial gain when they were laid off from their jobs.

How farming and gardening are therapeutic during stressful times: The first thing my mother did when she had to return home after getting laid off from her job in North Carolina was build a garden. She discovered so much about herself and her newfound love for growing her own food. She spends every day in her garden and loves it. It definitely takes your mind off of hard times.

Why local market of Black farmers, gardeners and vendors is important: We, as African-Americans, need our own space to flourish. Black people need to know that they can purchase fresh produce from Black farmers and growers. Black people need to be educated on growing their own foods and creating what they need because we don’t know what the future holds. It is important to be prepared and know that we can take care of each other and ourselves.

Where RVA Black Farmers Market is located: This year, we are blessed to be at three different locations: U-Turn at 2101 Maywill St., 17th Street Farmers’ Market at 17th and Main streets in Shockoe Bottom and back at The Way of The Lord Fellowship Church at 1700 Blair St.

Market dates and times: We have four markets each month for this season beginning every 2nd Saturday at U-Turn; every 2nd and 4th Sunday at 17th Street; and every 3rd Saturday at The Way of The Lord Fellowship Church. We begin Saturday, May 8, at U-Turn and Sunday, May 9, at 17th Street. The market is 8 a.m. to noon.

RVA Black Farmers Market includes: Many other merchant vendors. Some sell food products, skin care products and more.

Pandemic requirements at the market: Vendors and patrons must have temperature checks, hand sanitizer at the stations and social distance when standing in line.

How to become a vendor: Send a message to rvablackfarmersmarket@gmail.com with the dates you’d like to attend.

Farming and gardening for me: Allows me to grow in patience. It’s something special about planting seeds, taking care of them and watching them grow.

How I start the day: In silence — no phone, no social media, no noise. Just silence and getting my mind ready for the day.

Three words that best describe me: Jovial, helpful and resilient.

Best late-night snack: Popcorn.

How I unwind: A hot shower, face mask and hot tea.

What I have learned about myself during the pandemic: That I can adjust and still make things happen.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Rap.

Quote that I am most inspired by: “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.”

At the top of my “to-do” list: The RVA Black Farmers Market until December 2021.

Best thing my parents ever taught me: Never to tell myself “No.”

Person who influenced me the most: My mother. She’s ambitious and does what she puts her mind to. She’s a free spirit and limitless and she taught me to be the same.

Book that influenced me the most: “The Power of Broke” by Daniel Paisner and Daymond John.

What I’m reading now: “Sacred Woman: A Guide to Healing the Feminine Body, Mind and Spirit” by Queen Afua.

Next goal: To gather more Black farmers and growers for RVA Black Farmers Market. I really want to see the market grow to 50 percent of growers and farmers.