Who are we?
We are an African center distributor that provide African native products as well as many other ethnic goods currently in the Milwaukee area.
Our Mission
J&S African Center, LLC is an African Market established in June of 2009. Currently there were no African Markets in town at that time. The African/ Caribbean community would have to seek Asian or Spanish markets for everyday food items. J&S African Center was established to contribute to the welfare, promotion, and preservation of the African Cultural Heritage. We are located on the north side of Milwaukee at 6029 N. Teutonia Ave. Here you will experience the African Culture with traditional groceries, clothing, music, beauty products, herbs, and many more. J&S gives the atmosphere of being back home. The store started with one store front. Over the years the center has grown with the huge demand for African produce and items. The store now contains four store fronts. Looking forward, the company will be committed to becoming a pioneer in the grocery store industry, taking the lead in customer service.
Sarah Nketiah
CEO / Founder
As the founder and CEO of J&S African Center, Sarah Nketiah is responsible for running all facts of the business. Sarah was originally born in Ghana and ventured off to America at the young age of 22. Sarah started J&S African Center, LLC on June 08, 2009. She has been in business for over a decade. Prior to starting J&S African Center she was a lead manager over 3rd shift crew at M&I Support Services. She decided to start her own business after being laid off from work in 2007. Sarah noticed that there were no African markets in town and herself would have to seek everyday grocery items at an Asian or Hispanic Market. That is when she decided to open an African Market. The business has thrived since opening back in 2009. Sarah is dedicated to bringing quality African items and fresh produce to her customers and is known as a staple in the community. On July 23, 2016 Sarah was awarded the Black Star Award for African Cultural Heritage in the community. She was also awarded a proclamation from the City of Milwaukee on all her contributions. Sarah is the pioneer of African grocery markets.
Linda McAlister
CEO / Manager
Mrs. Linda McAlister is a co-founder and general manger for J&S African Center. Linda is responsible for planning, directing, and overseeing the daily operations of J&S African Center. Linda works hand in hand with her mother to foresee the growth of the business. In 2007 Linda was also laid off from M&I Support Services where her mother originally worked as well. At this time, she decided to concentrate on obtaining her college degree. She went on to graduate with an Associate degree in Science/ Medical Assisting in May 2011 with a 3.2 GPA. In September of 2011 Linda landed a job working at St. Luke’s Hospital in the Gastroenterology department. Linda was always in the background and would come and assist her mother Sarah on her off days at work. Linda worked at St. Luke’s Hospital for five years before transitioning into her next role in Nursing in OBGYN. With age, and high demand from the business, Sarah was determined to find a valuable worker for the company. Without much success Sarah approached Linda with a new role as store manager and making J&S African Center a family owned business. She has been managing the store front ever since.
Grace Nketiah
Assistant Manager
As the first daughter of Sarah Nketiah, owner of J&S African Center. I support the family business as an assistant manager. Before I moved to the U.S and started working as an assistant manager in 2018, I started operations with the business in Ghana helping to provide goods and making sure items that were needed were sorted and shipped to the U.S. Prior to this, I worked at a hospital as a manager and was a teacher and leader for two years. Due to my experience living and teaching in Ghana, it has provided me the skill sets to help bring not just quality service to consumers but also a deep knowledge of the products and the ability to help inform customers of those products to better assist them in making their decisions.
