50 Black-Owned Businesses Around That Country That You Can Support Today
As millions of Americans take a stand against police brutality and racial injustices in this country, it's important to remember that there are so many different ways to support the Black community. Connecting with your local officials, voicing your thoughts at a protest, or sharing data on social media is one way to let people know where you stand, but taking actionable steps toward real change is essential. There are so many ways to do this, like donating to causes and bail funds or supporting Black-owned businesses in your community and beyond.
Although the latter may not seem important in the grand scheme of things, it actually is — especially as the country deals with a global pandemic that's affecting the economy. Research has shown that, historically, Black-owned businesses have had a harder time accessing loans and capital. So making the choice to spend your money at a Black-owned business rather than your usual go-to is an easy way to join the fight against systematic racism. At first you may think there aren't a lot of Black-owned businesses in your area. But if you do a little digging, you'll find that there are some in your state, if not your town or city. To help you get started, we created a list of some of the best Black-owned businesses in each state. Of course, there are thousands more to check out, and you can easily do that on sites like Official Black Wall Street or Support Black Owned. But for now, take a look at these amazing spots.
(Don't see your favorite spot on the list? Email [email protected] to share!)
The Curated Arch, Birmingham
For brow services, microblading, and various skin services, Birmingham residents love The Curated Arch. Run by Black entrepreneur and skincare specialist Kim Thompson, the small shop is a definite must-visit.
Waffles and Whatnot, Anchorage
Waffles and Whatnot is a popular food truck in Anchorage that makes super sweet dessert waffle dishes (and even a to keto-friendly options too). And if waffles aren't your thing, there are many other menu items, like burgers, mac and cheese, and even burritos.
Doc's Gelato, Mesa
When you want something sweet, Doc's Gelato is the place to go. Founder Doc Brown takes pride in serving artisan ice creams that are not only delicious but also free of refined sugars, GMOs, preservatives, artificial flavors, dyes/colorings, and gluten.
Bobbie D's Southern Cuisine, Little Rock
You can head to Bobbie D's Southern Cuisine when you're craving true Southern comfort food for lunch or dinner - think fried pork chops, meatloaf, and peach cobblers as a few example. The restaurant also offers catering for special events.
Eso Won Books, Los Angeles
This very popular independent Black-owned bookstore in LA puts a spotlight on books written by Black people. They also regularly host events with authors and celebrities.
Smith+Canon, Denver
At Smith+Canon Ice Cream Co., you'll find a variety of your favorite classic favorites and unique options that will blow you away (like a mix of strawberry and habanero called Strawbenero). They make small batch craft ice cream from scratch without any stabilizers for a true feel-good experience.
Capital Ice Cream, Hartford
They call it "Hartford's Happy Place" for a reason. This adorable ice cream shop has it all: Sundaes, milkshakes, non-dairy options, create-your-own ice cream sandwiches, and fantastic ice cream cakes.
Lefty's Alley & Eats, Lewes
Lefty's is a fun spot with a ton going on. You can grab dinner and drinks (they have outdoor dining as well), go bowling, or play arcade games or laser tag. It also hosts events like comedy night and even drive-in movies.
World Famous House of Mac, Miami
You don't have to love macaroni and cheese to go to House of Mac. Owner Derrick Turton, AKA Chef Teach, is known for creating unique and delicious dishes that range from burgers to pasta to pizzas to, of course, mac and cheese. They even ship nationwide for those who aren't in the area.
Local Green Atlanta, Atlanta
For healthy, vegan eats in Atlanta, stop by Local Green Atlanta, a spot committed to making healthy food options affordable and accessible. It's owned by Zachary "Big Zak" Wallace, a local music legend and songwriter who grew up in a food desert and is trying to now make a difference.
Rebel Kitchen, Kainaliu
All of the food at Rebel Kitchen is locally sourced and seasonal, meaning it's all fresh and delicious. They also use eco-friendly food packaging to minimize their environmental impact. You can order their famous sauces online if you're not located in Hawaii.
Brown Shuga Soul Food, Boise
At this small but super popular family-owned food truck, owner Yvonne Anderson-Thomas sells authentic Southern-style dishes. They also do catering for any of your special events, and have a soul food Sunday membership that brings delicious meals to your home each week.
The Delta, Chicago
Owner Eldridge Williams grew up eating Mississippi Red Hot tamales, and so The Delta specializes in that and craft cocktails. He opened the restaurant as something of a tribute to the Mississippi Delta region, which was once responsible for most of the country's cotton supply.
His Place Eatery, Indianapolis
Owners Chef James "Mackie" Jones and wife Shawn call His Place Eatery "a unique experience in Soul Food." The menu features Southern-style, BBQ classics like pulled pork, chicken and waffles, and so much more.
Candice Luter Art + Home, Cedar Rapids
Working out of Cedar Rapids, Candice Luter and her team have put together an incredibly successful small business on Etsy. They work with their customers to create one-of-a-kind, macrame-inspired art installations that you can personalize if you choose. Even better: you can shop her work on Etsy no matter where you're located.
Finicky, Topeka
Finicky is a local boutique that sells customized and locally made creations for every different occasion. You can find special greeting cards, t-shirts, pillows, home decor, and a range of beautiful gifts.
Cabookie Cupcakes, Louisville
Black entrepreneur Corenza "Cabookie" Townsend created Cabookie Cupcakes, which almost instantly became a huge success. You can find everything from simple cupcakes like chocolate and vanilla to beautifully decorated options and amazing flavors like vanilla bourbon or funkadelic.
Willie Mae's Scotch House, New Orleans
Willie Mae's is a true New Orleans classic that was first established in 1957. In 2005, Ms. Willie Mae Seaton was even honored with the prestigious James Beard Award for "America's Classic Restaurant for the Southern Region," so this is a definite must-visit when you're in the area!
Rwanda Bean Coffeehouse, Portland
You can feel really good about getting your daily cup of coffee at Rwanda Bean: The coffeeshop shares 50% of their profits with Rwandan farmers, who make some of the best Bourbon Arabica coffees in the world. They have provided healthcare for hundreds of farmers and their families. You can also order their coffee subscriptions if you aren't in the Portland area.
Ekiben, Baltimore
Head to highly rated Ekiben in Baltimore for some delicious takes on Asian fusion. The menu is unique and interesting, and you'll definitely find a new favorite.
50Kitchen, Boston
This fusion style restaurant is fairly new but still super popular, with a menu that puts a focus on traditional Southern cuisine staples mixed with fusion experiments (like Jambalaya Egg Rolls). It's definitely an experience!
Dime Store, Detroit
Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or brunch at this restaurant that features a menu full of made-from-scratch food options. They have creative menu items (think general Tso's eggs Benedict) and beloved favorites.
Johnny T's Bistro and Blues, Jackson
Created by Chef Bryan Myrick, Johnny T's offers a menu full of unique takes on Southern cuisine. Upstairs you'll find Ultra Lounge 540, a premiere entertainment and rental venue in the area.
Ruby Jean’s Juicery, Kansas City
At Ruby Jean's, you'll find healthy bites and 100% fresh and cold-pressed juices, smoothies, vegan food, and more. Everything is healthy and natural, and there are plenty of gluten-free and sugar-free options as well.
The Sassy Biscuit, Billings
This popular brunch spot in Billings serves up Instagram photo-worthy foods that are genuinely just as delicious as they look. Make sure to get some of their famous biscuits while you're there.
Taylor's Flower Shop, Omaha
Whether you need flowers for a special event, a birthday gift, or just your dining room table, this highly rated flower shop has you covered. The gorgeous arrangements are unique and special, and the shop itself is award-winning.
Eat., Las Vegas
There's some serious competition when it comes to restaurants in Las Vegas, but Eat. stands out as one of the best. Created by Chef Natalie Young, this breakfast and brunch spot has all the comfort food you need after a long night out.
Black Pearl Creations, Manchester
Located in Manchester, this business is owned by Black business woman Jodi, who makes everything she sells by hand. The shop sells a variety of beautiful and soft scarves that you can purchase online.
Black Swan Espresso, Newark
Black Swan Espresso is a chic coffeeshop selling amazing coffee and small bites (think sandwiches and desserts), but they also pride themselves on bringing art and culture into the community. The shop showcases artwork from featured artists regularly.
Bobbi’s Homestyle Catering, Albuquerque
This family owned catering service is strictly buffet style, and specializes in making special events even better. The menu is full of comforting Southern dishes, sandwiches, New Mexico favorites, and so much more.
Peaches HotHouse, Brooklyn
Peaches HotHouse is one of five restaurants owned by Ben Grossman and Craig Samuel, who also own spots like The Hothouse, The Smoke Joint, Marietta's, and Little Brother BBQ. They bring authentic Southern food into New York City, and Peaches is so popular that there are four different locations throughout the city.
Abugida Ethiopian Cafe and Restaurant, Charlotte
Abugida calls themselves "the best Ethiopian food in Charlotte," and it's something fans agree with. They sell authentic and reasonably priced Ethiopian cuisine in a comforting setting.
Boppa's Bagels, Fargo
For the best bagels in North Dakota, head to Boppa's Bagels in Fargo. They sell all the classics: fresh bagels, sandwiches, cream cheeses, smoothies, and deli sandwiches.
Soul Fo’ Real BBQ, Strongsville
At this comfort food spot, you'll find delicious BBQ food and a really close family feel that somehow makes the food even better. Everything is authentic and fresh-tasting for a great experience.
Black Walnut, Oklahoma City
You'll find a unique menu at this New American restaurant that has a chic atmosphere and fantastic drinks. The restaurant says they blend American cuisine with their neighborhood's rich cultural history for a one-of-a-kind experience.
Mumbo Gumbo PDX, Portland
Mumbo Gumbo is proof that you don't have to be in a fancy restaurant for incredible food. This popular Southern inspired food cart is a must-visit when in the Portland area.
Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse, Philadelphia
This fun and interesting shop is the perfect blend of comic books and coffee. According to the website, it's the only black-woman owned shop of it's kind and the first black-woman owned comic book store on the East Coast. Stop in for an impressive selection of comic books, merch, and a good cup of coffee, or browse their online selection.
10 Rocks Tapas Bar & Restaurant, Pawtucket
You'll find a ton of unique seafood options at 10 Rocks, a small-plates restaurant that encourages everyone to share and has a nice family feel. There's also plenty of live entertainment for a nice night out.
The Seafood Spot, Greenville
The Seafood Spot gives customers a taste of LowCountry seafood in the Upstate area of South Carolina and uses their own special blend of seasonings that you'll want to recreate in your own home.
Swamp Daddy’s Cajun Kitchen, Sioux Falls
This family-owned business was created by Louisiana natives who wanted to bring some Cajun flavor into South Dakota. You'll find real Southern food that will transport you to the New Orleans area.
Riddim n Spice, Nashville
There are tons of restaurants to choose from in Nashville, but if you're searching for authentic Jamaican food, try Riddim n Spice. This Caribbean spot has a delicious combination of classics and vegan dishes.
GRIT Fitness, Dallas
GRIT Fitness was founded by Brittani (Brit) Rettig and is a full-body boutique fitness concept that focuses on helping people develop mental grit so they can learn how to persevere through greater life challenge. The studio has music-driven group fitness classes for fun and intense workouts.
11hauz, Park City
You'll find authentic and amazing Jamaican food in trendy Park City at 11Hauz. The spot is led by head chef Sheron Grant, who grew up in Jamaica watching her grandmother cook. She uses her family recipes in her restaurant with a touch of her own style.
Kismayo Kitchen, Burlington
Kismayo Kitchen serves up multicultural cuisine in Burlington. You'll find sandwiches, entree dishes, and lunch combo options, as well as vegetarian and vegan menu items.
Croaker’s Spot, Richmond
The super popular Croaker's Spot in Virginia has three locations, and has even been featured on Bobbie Flay's FoodNation. You'll find soul food classics like spicy seafood and cornbread, as well as shrimp and grits and crispy fried fish.
Metier Brewing Company, Seattle
Founders Todd and Rodney made Metier (which means "one's calling) to bring people together through really good beer. It's known as being one of the few black-owned breweries in the country, and they work hard to make representation a part of their business. You can order beer online if you're not in the area.
Daddy’s Soul Food Grille, Milwaukee
This popular spot in Milwaukee offers authentic soul food buffet-style or made-to-order. They also have incredible desserts and they even have vegetarian options, which can be tough to find!
Get Fit Juices and Shakes, Morgantown
One of the healthiest spots in Morgantown is Get Fit Juices and Shakes. You can get fresh juices, smoothies, and shakes to go, as well as healthy bowls, supplements, and juice cleanses.
After extensive research, Woman's Day discovered that all the Black-owned businesses in this state closed due to COVID. To keep this from happening to other Black-owned businesses, make sure to shop from them regularly.
__________________________________________________________
Subscribe to Woman's Day today and get 73% off your first 12 issues. And while you’re at it, sign up for our FREE newsletter for even more of the Woman's Day content you want.
50 Black-Owned Businesses Around That Country That You Can Support Today
As millions of Americans take a stand against police brutality and racial injustices in this country, it's important to remember that there are so many different ways to support the Black community. Connecting with your local officials, voicing your thoughts at a protest, or sharing data on social media is one way to let people know where you stand, but taking actionable steps toward real change is essential. There are so many ways to do this, like donating to causes and bail funds or supporting Black-owned businesses in your community and beyond.
Although the latter may not seem important in the grand scheme of things, it actually is — especially as the country deals with a global pandemic that's affecting the economy. Research has shown that, historically, Black-owned businesses have had a harder time accessing loans and capital. So making the choice to spend your money at a Black-owned business rather than your usual go-to is an easy way to join the fight against systematic racism. At first you may think there aren't a lot of Black-owned businesses in your area. But if you do a little digging, you'll find that there are some in your state, if not your town or city. To help you get started, we created a list of some of the best Black-owned businesses in each state. Of course, there are thousands more to check out, and you can easily do that on sites like Official Black Wall Street or Support Black Owned. But for now, take a look at these amazing spots.
(Don't see your favorite spot on the list? Email [email protected] to share!)
Why shop a big store when you can support a small business?
Solve the daily Crossword
