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Our Story
From Trenton to Virginia to Haiti — a family's commitment to community, agriculture, and generational empowerment.
The Social Entrepreneur
Born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey, Tyrell Smith is a dedicated social entrepreneur and equity advocate whose life and work are deeply rooted in community. Inspired by his grandmother's quiet acts of service — most memorably, sharing fresh produce from her garden with neighbors — Tyrell learned early on the power of generosity, self-reliance, and direct support.
Her legacy became the blueprint for his own journey: a lifelong commitment to uplifting Black and Brown communities and addressing systemic injustice at the grassroots level.
Our Journey
TrentTowne Market — Trenton
A community anchor in the Choice Neighborhood Zone
TrentTowne Market was intentionally established in Trenton to serve as a stable community anchor within the Choice Neighborhood Zone, where long-standing economic and food-access challenges demand a place-based, long-term solution. At 16 W Ingham Ave, we bring together local vendors, artists, and neighbors to celebrate food, culture, and connection every Saturday.
Promiseland Farm — Virginia
386 acres of family legacy
In 2023, Tyrell, alongside his wife, mother, sister, and nephew, purchased 386 acres of farmland in Virginia, now known as Promiseland Farm. This sacred land represents more than agriculture — it's a family legacy, a tool for liberation, and a bold investment in the future of Black land ownership and environmental sustainability. Through Promiseland Farm, the family is building a direct pipeline between rural agricultural production and urban food access — bridging the gap between the land and the people, while modeling Black generational wealth and land stewardship.
Black Gold Farm — Haiti
70 acres of education and growth
The family's commitment to agriculture and education reaches beyond the United States. In 2018, Tyrell's mother, Dr. Valerie Arthur, purchased a 70-acre farm in Haiti and founded Black Gold Farm in addition to KNA, a farm and school that integrates STEAM education with agricultural literacy. Students learn foundational academics alongside agricultural skills — raising chickens, growing crops like corn, and building self-sufficiency through technology and land-based learning.
Why Trenton
The Choice Neighborhood Zone faces challenges that demand place-based, long-term solutions. Here's why this work matters.
5,754
Residents
97%
Food Insecurity
40%
Poverty Rate
9.1%
Unemployment
$23,961
Median Income
25.3%
Homeownership
Data: Trenton Health Team Food Insecurity Index & NJEDA food desert findings
B Corp Values
Community Reinvestment
Revenue generated at the market flows back into the neighborhood through vendor support, urban farming workshops, and participatory budgeting initiatives.
Local Sourcing
We prioritize local farmers and food artisans, ensuring access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food in an area designated as a food desert.
Environmental Sustainability
From Promiseland Farm's regenerative agriculture to reducing food miles through local sourcing, sustainability is built into everything we do.
Food Justice
In a community where 67% of households are using SNAP and food insecurity runs deep, equitable access to quality food is not optional — it's essential.
2025: $10,000 Participatory Budgeting Grant — CNZ
Building Together
TrentTowne Market is more than a business — it's a community hub for all. From Promiseland Farm to the Choice Neighborhood Zone, we're building systems that empower communities for generations.