About Us: A Family Rooted in Impact

Welcome to African Impact Marketplace — where every purchase is a step toward global change.

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Our Story

African Impact Marketplace began as a seed planted in the heart of Omega Global Development, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting African families and communities through mentorship and community support. As we witnessed the artistic talents and cultural brilliance of these women, we realized they needed more than encouragement — they needed opportunity.

That’s when a new vision took shape. What if there was a place where their crafts could shine on a global stage? A place that felt like the bustling, soulful markets of Africa? A place where creativity met commerce — and dignity met opportunity?

Lashelle Johnson, the heartbeat behind it all, dreamed it. Her daughter, Lex Bouza, now carries it forward with care, precision, and passion. Together — along with Lex’s husband Jerry and the rest of their family — they are building more than a store. They're building a movement.

Our Mission

We believe in the power of African creativity — from the hands of women weaving in rural Kenya to the voices of refugees rebuilding lives in U.S. cities. Our marketplace bridges borders by uplifting artisans across the African continent and throughout the diaspora: refugees, immigrants, and first-generation Americans who are crafting beauty, preserving heritage, and serving their communities.

We aim to be a global village of impact — where purchasing becomes partnership, and where cultural expression is honored as a legacy worth protecting.

Meet the Family Behind AIM

👩🏽🎨 Lashelle Johnson – Creative & Cultural Director
The visionary. With a deep love for storytelling and cultural preservation, Lashelle curates products and nurtures relationships with artisans across Africa.

👩🏽💼 Lex Bouza – Marketplace Director
The engine. With three degrees in music and a heart for operations, Lex ensures every detail — from sourcing to shipping — honors both the artisan and the customer.

👨🏽💻 Jerry Bouza – Numbers & Compliance
The balance. Jerry keeps the books and the legal structure steady, helping AIM stay financially sound and mission-aligned.

🧔🏽♂️ Don (Dad) — Spiritual Foundation
Guiding us in faith, prayer, and the biblical principles of giving and humility that shape every decision.

👦🏽👦🏽👦🏽👦🏽 The Brothers — Operations Support
Jumping in when needed, always ready to lift, carry, and serve behind the scenes.

Why We’re Different

• 🛍️ We give back 30% of profits to African communities — our version of a tithe.

• 🤝 We honor fair trade principles and ensure artisans receive a living wage.

• 🧬 We're African American owned, with roots in both the diaspora and the continent.

• 💡 We spotlight micro-entrepreneurs who are shaping their communities — not just selling goods, but building futures.

The Products We Choose

Not just any item makes it to our shelves. We vet every product with one question: Does this hold a story worth sharing?

Only artisans who demonstrate dedication, cultural authenticity, and a desire to uplift others through their work are invited to sell with us. We don’t just sell for people — we sell with them.

The Experience We Want You to Have

When you shop AIM, we want you to feel like you’ve been transported to the vibrant streets of a West African market. We want you to hear the music, smell the spices, feel the textures, and know that behind every item is a human being — not a machine — whose life just got better because of you.

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This isn’t fast fashion. This is future-building.