For many people, Bill Winston is known for his ministry and decades of leadership at Living Word Christian Center.
But a growing number of people are learning about another side of the Winston family’s legacy, one rooted in business ownership, economic development, and creating opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs.
At the center of that effort is Melody Winston, who is helping lead Living Fresh Market, a grocery store located within a 33-acre family-owned shopping center in Forest Park, Illinois.
In a viral video introducing the business and its community initiatives, Winston explained that the family’s vision extends far beyond selling groceries.
“We’re about creating entrepreneurs’ legacy and also our next generation, teaching them how to run a grocery store,” she said. “It’s not impossible. I learned it. They can learn it and so we’re here to give back to the community.”
That mission has become a defining feature of Living Fresh Market, which Winston said was created after the family took over a former retail space five years ago to serve the community while opening doors for future business owners.
According to Winston, the market provides opportunities for local entrepreneurs who have products and business ideas but may struggle to gain access to traditional retail spaces.
“There were plenty of people who had ideas and they wanted to figure out how to get them on the shelf, but we helped them get them on this shelf in here,” she explained. “Once they get on this shelf they can go to Walmart, they can go to Jewel, and other stores.”
The approach reflects a growing movement among Black-owned businesses that seek to combine commerce with community impact, using their platforms to help launch and mentor emerging entrepreneurs.
Winston stated that the store’s success should be measured not only by sales but also by the opportunities it creates for others.
The market regularly hosts community events designed to bring residents together while showcasing local talent and businesses. In the video, Winston highlighted monthly barbecue and grilling events featuring pitmasters from across Illinois, including women-owned culinary businesses.
The store also hosts promotional activities such as a monthly 60-second shopping spree, supported by local sponsors and business leaders.
One sponsor Winston highlighted was a Black former McDonald’s franchise owner who partnered with the market to support community engagement efforts.
For Winston, these collaborations represent a broader philosophy about economic empowerment and collective success.
“It’s just about being community legacy and pulling folks together,” she said. “We can all do this and win together in this game called life.”
Her comments have resonated with many viewers online, particularly at a time when conversations about Black wealth creation, business ownership, and community investment continue to gain national attention.
As economic experts increasingly point to entrepreneurship as a pathway to generational wealth, Winston’s message offers a reminder that ownership can also be used as a tool for mentorship, opportunity, and neighborhood revitalization.
Rather than focusing solely on profits, Living Fresh Market is positioning itself as a place where local entrepreneurs can gain exposure, families can gather, and future business leaders can learn firsthand how enterprises are built and sustained.
For Winston, that legacy may be the most important investment of all.
