Kirk Hodges founded Homeland Village Cultural Center to meet a need in Macon about 25 years ago. Hodges said the business offers the community a space focused on education, wellness and cultural awareness.
Located at 2910 Napier Ave., the center provides information on natural health, natural foods, community gardening and sustainable business practices while centering on African culture. According to its website, the center’s goal is to create a space that blends education, commerce and community engagement under one roof.
“I just saw there was a great need for information about my people, my culture and the true history of my people -- that information was not being presented and there were people who did not know much about where we came from and our legacy,” Hodges said in an interview. “It is obvious our history is very rich.”
Visitors will find African art and decor displayed throughout the center, along with books about history, culture and health. The store also carries Pan-African attire and products related to holistic living, including natural soaps, oils, incense, shea butter, black seed oil, sea moss and other wellness items. Many of the products reflect traditions rooted in African and African diasporic practices and are intended to promote self-care and natural healing approaches.
The center emphasizes plant-based nutrition and offers resources related to vegan meal planning, natural remedies and healthy eating habits. Its mission includes providing access to progressive information about wellness, sustainability and community-based economic practices. Educational materials available at the center address topics like cultural history and self-sufficiency.
“It has been a slow process, it is still evolving,” Hodges said of the store’s future. “I opened it up many years ago. In the beginning, nobody was aware of what I was doing, it took a while before we got notice. But it is now well received and I am proud of that.”
In addition to its retail goods, Homeland Village hosts cultural programs and community events throughout the year. Activities have included film screenings, history discussions, workshops and seasonal celebrations like Kwanzaa observances. Hosting the events, Hodges said, is meant to promote principles such as unity, self-determination and cooperative economics, which align with the center’s broader cultural focus.
Community members also use the space for youth-centered initiatives and intergenerational gatherings. The center supports opportunities for dialogue, learning and collaboration among residents of different ages and backgrounds. Over time, Homeland Village has become a meeting place for individuals interested in cultural awareness, wellness education and sustainable living practices.
Operating as an independent cultural business presents challenges, but the center continues to promote its founding purpose of access, representation and opportunity.
“Getting people to support it was the hardest part, it was something new to the area and a lot of our people in this region are not aware of the rich history we have,” Hodges said. “I just really had to be persistent with getting the information out there.”
Its combination of retail, education and event programming distinguishes it from traditional storefronts and reflects a broader mission centered on community development.
“I would love to expand, but I am at my retirement stage and age, I am about ready to pass it on to family members, so I am gonna leave it in the next generation’s hands,” Hodges said. “However we will continue to push for the community showing more pride in who they are and their purpose.”
Through its focus on cultural education, wellness resources and community engagement, Homeland Village Cultural Center continues to serve as both a gathering place and a learning environment for Macon residents seeking connection, sustainability and cultural awareness. The center will host a book signing this Saturday from 2-5 p.m. featuring an author who has written several books on the culture, along with a lecture and book signing for community members.
