Rooted in Legacy: The Bandele Family’s Entrepreneurial Journey
For generations, Black and immigrant families have built that embody legacies of nourishment, ingenuity, and legacy. The Bandele family is a testament to these characteristics. With deep roots in Detroit, their story embodies the resourcefulness of Black entrepreneurs and the generational wealth rooted in matriarchal wisdom and kinship.
From hustle to legacy
Mama Nezaa Bandele, the family’s matriarch, began her journey in the 1980s when fresh, healthy food options were scarce in Detroit. Paradise Natural Foods was born out of necessity, filling a gap that had long forced folks to go outside their neighborhoods for nutritious options.
“We actually started in the neighborhood,” Nezaa recalls. “People were so happy to see us because when they wanted to get something healthy, they always had to go outside of their community”.
Mama Nezaa’s mission went beyond selling food—it was about sovereignty. It was about making sure her neighborhood and her family had access to the nourishment they deserved.
Over time, what started as a side hustle evolved into a family enterprise. Today, Paradise Natural Foods has given rise to a new wave of businesses within the Bandele family: Paradise Juice, Paradise Beverages, and Beauté Anthologie. Each of these businesses carries forward the values of self-sufficiency and community care, proving that wealth is not just about money—it’s about impact.
The Strength of women in entrepreneurship
Throughout history, women have been the backbone of community business ownership. They are builders, caretakers, and visionaries who create sustainable pathways for future generations.
For Nezaa, entrepreneurship wasn’t just about making ends meet—it was about creating a foundation that her children and their children could build upon. Her daughter-in-law, Debra Turnboe, co-owns Paradise Juice, ensuring the family’s wellness commitment continues. Her son, Jabari Bandele, owns Paradise Beverages, further expanding their reach in the industry. And her daughter, Niani, founded Beauté Anthologie and A Safe Space for Black Girls, a natural hair care salon that prioritizes education, cultural pride, and holistic beauty.
Their collective efforts are a reminder that wealth is more than dollars—it’s the ability to sustain ancestral knowledge and to ensure that the next generation doesn’t have to start from scratch.
Entrepreneurship as a tool for liberation
Across neighborhoods, entrepreneurship has always been a form of resistance—a way to reclaim agency and economic power in the face of systemic barriers. The Bandele family understands this well.
“Black people have to think about generational wealth starting with the wealth of their bodies that were used to build these countries,” Nezaa says. “I think of generational wealth as starting there and not starting with us trying to build a business.”
But building a business takes many forms of effort and support. For many Black entrepreneurs, access to capital, mentorship, and strategic support remain significant barriers. That’s where organizations like ProsperUs Detroit come in.
ProsperUs Detroit: Fueling Generational Wealth
When the Bandele family connected with ProsperUs Detroit, they found a partner in their mission.
“It was the first program, business program, that we were a part of, and it was very transformational in our journey of understanding the business,” Debra says. “Just thinking about your expenses of the business, your cash flow, really just understanding how to properly run your business.”
Through entrepreneurial training, technical assistance, and capital access, ProsperUs has played a role in supporting the family of companies that have stemmed from Mama Nezaa’s early entrepreneurial efforts. The Bandele family’s success is proof that when entrepreneurs have access to the right tools and support, they can create wealth that ripples across generations.
It was the first program, business program, that we were a part of, and it was very transformational in our journey of understanding the business. Just thinking about your expenses of the business, your cash flow, really just understanding how to properly run your business.
Looking Ahead
For the Bandele family, legacy isn’t about just passing down a business—it’s about instilling a mindset of ownership and possibility.
“A legacy, I feel like, isn’t something that you tell yourself. About other people telling stories about you,” Jabari says.
Their journey is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship, the strength of women-led businesses, and the impact of generational resilience. As they continue to grow, they leave behind a roadmap for future entrepreneurs: build with purpose, nourish your community, and never stop pushing forward.
Read Mama Nezaa’s 2022 feature story Stories of Legacy Builders: Paradise Natural Foods.
Watch Paradise Natural Foods in the Netflix limited docuseries ‘You Are What You Eat’.
Watch Niani Bandele-Burricks’s feature on Good Morning America.
Learn more about each of these four businesses at the links above.
