by Janine Fondon

(FinalCall.com)--From the ashes of tough times of Boston�s Grove Hall neighborhood rises a new $13 million, 65,000 square foot mall�"Grove Hall�s Mecca"�that symbolizes the faithful work of visionaries, the restored hope of an emerging inner city community and the promise of a neighborhood that seeks unity and opportunity.

While many people are shocked that such great things are happening in this diverse, inner-city section of Boston, it should be no surprise because this is an area where the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan laid a great foundation and the legendary Prince Hall made history. Just steps away from Grove Hall�s Mecca, Prince Hall founded Boston�s African Lodge Number 459 in 1787. It became the first African Masonic Lodge in the country and the beginning of Black Masonry in the United States. Also, directly across the street from Grove Hall�s Mecca, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan served Boston�s Nation of Islam Temple No. 11.

With its roots firmly planted, the Nation of Islam has guided the Grove Hall neighborhood through some difficult times�including riots, drug infestation, gangs, and high crime activities. The Nation of Islam is credited with taking the lead in cleaning up Grove Hall and making it a neighborhood again.

Muhammad Mosque No. 11 Minister Don Muhammad, who has headed Mosque No. 11 since 1965, says, "The Nation of Islam was willing to work with the community. We helped rid the neighborhood of much crime and later received the support and respect of many people across the city. Today, even Black professionals are returning to the community."

The Nation of Islam used the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and Min. Louis Farrakhan on self help, self determination and economic empowerment as a basis for its ultimate success. People such as Sis. Virginia Muhammad, executive director of the Neighborhood Development Corporation of Grove Hall (NDCGH), and the force behind the project, emerged as a strong leader and supporter of the area�s economic empowerment movement and later was the inspiration for others to recognize that economic empowerment was an important fundament for the community and especially Black people.

"We are successful because we have forged these partnerships with the city, private sector and community � and for any community to grow, there has to be mutual respect," said Sis. Virginia.

The mall, "Grove Hall�s Mecca", is an inspiration and lesson of determination in the community and a tribute to the diligent work of Sis. Virginia, the community and the many people associated with the NDCGH. The site on which the mall sits was vacant for 20 years. Businesses to be located in the mall include: FleetBoston, Hollywood Video, Stop and Shop (2001), Dunkin Donuts, CVS Pharmacy, and Best Price Clothing. The mall will create some 250 jobs and will house the first neighborhood supermarket in the Grove Hall area in two decades. The supermarket is set to be fully operational in March 2001.

Sis. Virginia noted that with the mall, "we begin to move away from dangerous stereotypes of what it is like to operate business in the �hood� and show that good retail business can exist in urban communities."

She says, "There will be 250 jobs for community residents and long awaited goods and services that the residents can walk to, such as a local pharmacy and supermarket. There is no reason why inner city communities should not have access to such basic resources."

Naomi Turner, a long-time resident of Grove Hall who has lived in the area for 20 years, rejoices: "You don�t know how great it is to be able to walk to a full service pharmacy, as opposed to trying to drive or getting a ride." Another resident, Michele Gaylor, adds, "It�s about time. The community should have this type of store right here."

"These stores will not only provide jobs, but career-minded positions at all levels," to inspire people in our community to seek new success, says Min. Don.

Tiffany Carter, a high school senior who works at the CVS in Grove Hall�s Mecca, looks forward to her career. "I want to graduate from high school, go to college to study criminal justice and then become a lawyer."

Verna Trottman, a new pharmacy assistant at CVS, is trying a new career. She attended a local job fair to promote opportunities to local residents and took advantage of a new field. Ms. Trottman says: "I live in the area and it is great to be able to walk to work and find a new career option right in my own community."

She also saluted Boston�s Mayor Thomas Menino "for being true to his word when he said that people should be able to live, shop and work in their own community � and now we can."

Referencing the $500 billion purchasing power of the Black community, Sis. Virginia says: "We, like many other African Americans, reside in urban areas and represent this strong purchasing power. Organizations with good business sense will recognize this." She notes that the nationally-known stores in the mall will be owned or managed by Blacks.

The mission of the NDCGH has consistently been to transform the community by increasing its economic stability. It was one of the first community-based organizations in Boston to focus on economic development. The NDCGH, which was formed 17 years ago, believes that through job creation, development and enhancement of small businesses, commercial development and home ownership opportunities, its goals will be achieved. So far, the organization has been able to provide training opportunities for local residents, convince the city that area residents and business owners want to have a say in the future plans for the community, help area businesses to be stronger and move contractors working in the community to hire local residents.

NDCGH successes include: managing a $1.2 million rehabilitation project which provided 12 units of affordable housing and four commercial units in the heart of Grove Hall; creating an estimated 200 jobs for community residents; recruiting the first full-service bank to Grove Hall; graduating hundreds of potential first-time home buyers in the last three years; assisting Grove Hall businesses in accessing over $180,000 in grant funding to improve storefront facades; and launching the $13 million dollar mall, Grove Hall�s Mecca.

With the direction set by Sis. Virginia, the mall project has solidified the working relationships between the private sector, the community and government. It became part of a $70 million public investment to restore the area�s Blue Hill Avenue. The NDCGH owns the property and the land used for the mall. The financing of the project came through public funds from the city and private money from Fleet Bank.

As she reflects on the successful implementation of the mall project, Sis. Virginia says, "It�s a simple basic lesson: Any good always has the backing of God and, in time, it will come to fruition. The success of the mall also demonstrates the implementation of the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad�to take Islam into the community and be a servant to your community and to continue to focus on tools to empower the community."

In addition to the mall, Min. Don notes that the Muslim-owned property across from Grove Hall�s Mecca, "Unity Plaza", houses six businesses and was also renovated as a result of the partnership with the city."

To commemorate the great history of Grove Hall, a landmark will be placed right in front of Muhammad Mosque No. 11. The landmark�a clock tower�will feature several prominent images, including the Hon. Elijah Muhammad and Min. Louis Farrakhan.

This clock tower is seen by some 30,000 people per day and will be a long-standing reminder of the history of achievement in the area, the promise found in Boston�s Grove Hall neighborhood, and the shared benefits of a life-long teaching.

Photo: Min. Don. Muhammad and Sister Virginia Muhammad in front of Grove Hall Mecca.