Created by Racquel Frazier in 2020, #JuiceBae is birthed from her intentions of creating a healthier lifestyle. Her brand reflects her passion for providing others with a one-stop shop for their own wellness needs. #JuiceBae is for people wanting to improve their health and enjoy the taste of unique juice blends and smoothies, and a full line of thoughtfully crafted herbal and nutritional supplements.

Sisters Leslie and LeAnn Jones created 1010 Wine & Events so they would not have to leave their neighborhood to enjoy a night out over great wine, food, and friends. So with Leslie’s background in hospitality and LeAnn’s knowledge and love of wine, they opened Inglewood’s first and only wine bar. The Jones Sisters cannot wait to welcome wine lovers and foodies from across the city to experience a truly special place without leaving their neighborhood.

Founded by Dee Tolber in 1989, A Blessed Cookie Company is Tolber’s leap of faith in following her love of baking cookies. She’s now known as the “cookie lady,” and millions of cookies later, she ensures that every cookie is made from scratch and baked and decorated on site with high quality, natural ingredients. Cookies are baked fresh each morning for the cookie lover’s delight.

In the alley filled with murals, paintings, and graffiti, also known as Justice Alley during the protests of 2020, Michael Onyejekwe opened Alley Burger in February 2022. The burger joint draws from the art in the alley with its vibrant colors and customer service. Their burgers are the culmination of various flavors, its BBQ burger reaches almost a foot high, the Greek burger gives an international experience, and signature fries are named after various alleys across Columbus. Ultimately, it is a casual dining restaurant with fine dining service, live music, and a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.

Chef Danielle Harris, or "Chef DMH", has known since childhood that food is her passion. Taking a dishwashing job in high school just to get her foot in the door, she worked her way up the culinary ladder, even working for Iron Chef Stephanie Izard in one of the best restaurants in Chicago. Today, she owns and operates Almeda, serving Afro-fusion cuisine that blends her Midwest roots with African traditions. Favorites include Spicy Awaze Galbi Ribs, Jollof Risoto, Fried Catfish and Spaghetti, and a Whole Chicken Dinner with all the fixings. 

Created by Felicia Wilson, Amina, named after her daughter, is a restaurant and bar serving up Southern dishes with a strong influence on African cuisine. With the help of Chef Darryl Harmon, Amina introduces a unique and unparalleled flavor to the Philadelphia area. Amina is a destination for a fun dining experience serving specialty items such as cheesesteak beignets, catfish hushpuppies, oxtail, fried cauliflower wings, and a wonderful weekend brunch serving delicacies like lobster omelets and shrimp and grits.

A self-taught baker, Anthony Lucas discovered his innate talent for baking cookies while in college, and embarked on a quest for the perfect cookie. He began selling cookies out of his car throughout the Bay Area, listened to client feedback, and used his instincts to create high-quality, high-demand cookies. Today, he produces thousands each week, and treats his customers like friends, since no friend gives a friend a subpar cookie. Customers' favorites include classic chocolate chip, cookies and cream, and toffee chip. Anthony’s Cookies is the go-to spot for any cookie craving.

Dayana Joseph birthed APT 4B in 2020, as a space that gives the mood of your coolest friend’s apartment. With the largest vinyl collection (over 10,000 records) in Atlanta, it is the city’s largest Caribbean Vinyl Bar that boasts dishes like caramelized oxtail atop chickpea hummus with toasted roti, roasted sweet plantain with Jamaican ackee and spicy sambal sauce, and roasted mackerel escovitch with pickled seasonal vegetables and coconut jasmine rice. The restaurant divides its menu into five courses, giving diners the option to create their tasting menus or just select one or two dishes for a smaller meal.

In addition to the main dining room, there are side spaces dubbed "living rooms" where guests can lounge with wine and snacks. The interior reflects that "cool friend" vibe with portraits by Hype Williams of Busta Rhymes and Wyclef Jean hung around the space. Joseph invites you to come over to APT 4B and enjoy the savvy and intimate combination of music, food, and good vibes.

In March 2023, the Kirkland, Washington community welcomed a new Caribbean restaurant to the neighborhood! Arleana's pays homage to owner Theo Martin's mother, Lula Arleana Martin. The more sophisticated sibling to Island Soul Rum Bar & Soul Shack in Seattle's Columbia City neighborhood, Arleana's features an elevated French-Caribbean menu that showcases a rotating menu of seafood and seasonal ingredients.

Fun Fact: The mural at Arleana’s by local artist Hiawatha D. honors the late Queen of Creole Cuisine, Leah Chase.

ARTE NOIR began as an online publication and newsletter in 2021. In 2022 Vivian Phillips and Jazmyn Scott opened the ARTE NOIR gallery and retail shop focused on showcasing Black creators and supporting Black-owned businesses. Purchase a variety of products including accessories, personal care, apothecary items, and more, knowing makers receive 100% of net proceeds 

Fun fact: Artists in the gallery are featured via a collaboration between ARTE NOIR and Gallery Onyx.

Established in 2017 by Fouad and Ekka Wassel, Awash Ethiopian Restuarant serves authentic Ethiopian cuisine in a casual dining experience. Guests can expect excellent service and a welcoming atmosphere with Ethiopian art and traditional music, a shop with Ethiopian spices, coffee, and tea, and a bar featuring Ethiopian beer and wine. The name Awash represents a river in Ethiopia that is a significant resource to the Ethiopian people, and the restaurant, like the river, is significant for those wanting to experience authentic Ethiopian cuisine. 

The name “Back A Yard” is a common term in the Caribbean that represents the lifestyle, culture, spirit, food, and the vibe of welcoming visitors to your home. Back A Yard represents how things are done “back home” and is the destination for the best Caribbean food in the Bay Area. Signature items like jerk chicken or oxtail will cure any craving for Caribbean cuisine, or try other favorites like curried goat, bbq spareribs, vegetarian jerk tofu, or Caribbean Cobb salad.

As a child, Nia-Tayler Clark noticed a lack of Black representation in books. Later in life, when she became a teacher, the correlation between lack of Black representation and literacy rates was too strong to ignore. So she created BLACKLIT to move the needle in both areas. BLACKLIT is a brand, created for the culture, that highlights Black authors and entrepreneurs via a bookstore and a subscription box. Ultimately, BLACKLIT is on a mission to empower children with the tools to help close the literacy gap and to cultivate conversations that bring unity across racial divides.

J.O. Malone created BLCK Market in 2017 to showcase Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs and to help put wealth back into Black communities of Houston and beyond. BLCK Market is a retail marketplace of unique vendors that might not be found in traditional retail spaces. The goal? To inspire everyone to Shop BLCK - that is, buy more goods created by Black talent—and to uplift Black entrepreneurs to make our beautiful community, our vibrant culture, much stronger.

Founded by friends Kalkidan Gebreyohannes and J’Maica Roxanne, Blk Girls Green House (BGGH) is a plant and specialty home goods shop, a community gathering space, and an absolute vibe, according to the founders. BGGH is committed to collaborating with fellow Black-owned businesses and creators and inspiring conscious, local shopping and gathering. At the 1,500-square-foot lovely facility, you’ll find plants, coffee table books, candles, wall hangings, ceramic and clay pots, locally made apparel and more goodies.

Bold Coffee Bar is a bright and cozy coffee shop with a minimalist setup offering espresso drinks, cold brew iced coffee, tea, pastries, and bagels in a comfortable space. Opened in 2020 by Kelly and Lesa Claiborne, Bold Coffee is more than just a place to grab coffee but a place to belong. The Claibornes aim to create the best coffee experience for their guests, by encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones and have fun with their coffee choices. 

Booker’s Restaurant & Bar was opened in 2017 by Saba Tedla with the mission to provide an excellent product with exemplary customer service. Well-known in West Philly, Booker’s serves exceptional southern-style food paired with signature drinks. The name Booker is in tribute to the common Black surname, and it is also in tribute to Booker Wright, a historic Black waiter in a whites-only establishment in Mississippi in the 1960s, featured in the documentary, Booker’s Place: A Mississippi Story. In 2023, Tedla sold Booker’s to Tracey and Cheri Syphax, who will continue the Booker tradition of southern cuisine in an impeccable atmosphere and a staple in the community.

After falling in love with coffee culture in Eritrea, Efrem Feseha knew that he wanted to bring the East African coffee experience to Seattle. In 2019, he opened Boon Boona Coffee in Renton, sourcing the highest quality coffee in collaboration and relationship with farmers in coffee’s birthplace, East Africa. Through his coffee roastery and cafe, Efrem brings the local community together in a vibrant and inclusive space.

In 2021, Boon Boona Coffee opened its second location in Seattle, and in 2023, Boon Boona opened a third location in the University Bookstore at UW!

Shawn and Julissa believe in the power of enriching lives through plant gifting and ownership. Shawn has a passion for plants and wanted to share this love in the historic Central District where there is less and less of the Black community every year, so Shawn and Julissa opened booSh Nursery on Juneteenth, 2021. booSH Nursery has a wide range of plants, from rare and exotic plants to $4 terrarium fillers. Stop by to meet Shawn and Julissa and to spruce up your garden, home, or work space.

Steeped in her passion for children’s literature, Bunnie Hilliard opened Brave + Kind Books in 2018 to create a space for children and their parents to enjoy literature. Brave + Kind Bookshop is a thoughtfully curated collection of intentionally diverse, inclusive, and artful stories for the humans we want to raise and be in the world.

The Breakfast Klub is recognized as one of best breakfast restaurants in the nation, and is a casual family style establishment best known for their wings and waffles, and catfish and grits. Houston restauranteur Marcus Davis opened the Breakfast Klub in 2001 on the principles of faith, family, community and empowerment. It is their goal to treat every customer as family and place emphasis on supporting community activities and causes that enrich and strengthen families.

Jessie Washington started Brunchaholics as a pop-up, serving delicious comfort food, including his famous soul food burrito, stuffed with mac and cheese, collard greens, and a choice of fried catfish or fried chicken. In 2024, Washington opened a brick-and-mortar in Desoto to serve his growing following. Customers describe the food as simply amazing, the staff as extremely attentive, and providing the desired comfort needed after a long week. Brunchaholics represents Washington’s dream of being a chef and sharing his love for food with his community.

Buena Vista Candle Company is an aromatherapeutic scent studio, specializing in handcrafted candles from clean and ethically sourced materials free of phthalates, paragons, sulfates, and other synthetically-derived materials. Founded by Jeannie Escobar, Buena Vista candles are meant to enhance serenity and centeredness, while also creating the ambiance for sustaining optimism, Buena Vista translates to a good view. Escobar wants you to enjoy her candles as you take in the good view.

Created by Will and Kevin Hightower in 2016, Buns & Brews is a blend of their passion for making delicious food and their extensive knowledge of Black cuisine. Menu items include gourmet hotdogs (one with collard greens), gourmet burgers, signature sandwiches, and more. Using the freshest, local ingredients, Buns & Brews is sure to give your taste buds pure excitement and enjoyment.

Established in 1947 by Lucy Jackson, Busy Bee has become an Atlanta institution, known as a notable eatery during the Civil Rights Movement and honored as one of America’s Classics by the James Beard Foundation in 2022. Everyone from Martin Luther King, Jr. to Vice President Kamala Harris has enjoyed its timeless soul food. Menu items include consistent favorites like fried chicken, catfish, BBQ ribs, pork chops, and more.

Created by Tracy German, Cake Bar is a bakery and retail shop with a large selection of traditional, southern style made from scratch cake and confections on the spot or available for takeout. It is one of Dallas’ most beloved sweet shops, and the menu selection includes 16 different made-from-scratch cakes, a variety of pound cakes, quick breads, cookies, ice cream, and assorted beverages. Originally from Augusta, Georgia, Tracy is passionate about creating the desserts she enjoyed as a child and sharing them for all to enjoy.

CamiCakes is the vision and dream of Andra Hall, bringing her childhood love of baking to life. Named after her daughter, Camille, CamiCakes specializes in gourmet cupcakes to enjoy for any special occasion. The delicious bakery prides itself on coming up with unique alternatives to the usual old-school dessert standards. Using the freshest ingredients and a delectable smooth buttercream or cream cheese frosting for a finishing touch, CamiCakes includes signature creations like cookie butter, key lime, peach cobbler, and salted caramel for the cupcake lover in all of us.

Through their restaurant, Cane, owners Peter Prime and his sister Jeanine showcase the diverse flavors of Trinidad and Tobago to you. Opened in 2019, the menu provides a peek into the multiculturalism of Trinidad, including African, Indian, Spanish, French, and East Asian influences. Offering their modern take on street food, Cane serves up doubles (Indian fried bread with cumin-spiced channa), jerk wings, oxtails, and tiffin boxes (Indian bread served with a variety of curries and chutneys), all to be enjoyed with friends and family.

Created by Anthony Bookman and Elizabeth Anderson, Casa Del Vegano serves vegan Tex-Mex and does it right. Known to bring the heat and flavor, minus the meat and dairy, Casa Del Vegano delivers hearty mains, inspired by Tex-Mex favorites, like delicious Birria Jackfruit Brisket Nachos, Avochange, and Vegan Jalapeño Beyond Torta. Enjoy your meal with a frozen pina colada, or a hibiscus-cucumber margarita.

Created by Cheryl Stephens in 2003, Cheryl’s Southern Style Cuisine focuses on catering, takeout, and frozen meals. Popular frozen items include creamy macaroni and cheese, collard greens, chili, and yams. Customers can find Cheryl’s fresh and frozen delicacies at various farmers markets, Artisan Exchange in West Chester, Subaru Park, and various college campuses across Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Amaris Jones, once personal chef to Rick Ross and Chris and Adrienne Bosh, launched Chick’N Jones in homage to her favorite chicken spot of her childhood, Chicken George, a small Black-owned franchise outside Baltimore. Her goal is to build a legacy by offering food that speaks to and feeds the soul. Her menu revolves around chicken, which is marinated in mustard, herbs, and spices for 24 hours, dredged in a flour-and-spice blend, and allowed to rest another day before being fried to order in non-GMO, expeller-pressed oil. Chick’N Jones offers traditional fried chicken served with pickled vegetables or a Nashville-inspired, hot-honey version that comes with bread and pickles.

For more than 40 years, Clive's Cafe has been dishing out some of the best Jamaican food in Miami. Opened by Pearline and Clifford Murray, the Cafe has seen much change in the neighborhoods and its location, but it has remained a Miami fixture with its delicious menu items - curry goat, oxtail, jerk chicken, and more, welcoming hospitality, and a friendly atmosphere.

Opened in 2009 by Janay and Terron Henry, Cool Runnings Jamaican Bar & Grill serves authentic Jamaican and Caribbean food, laden with flavors of Terron’s native homeland. Menu items like chicken stew, oxtail, curried goat, jerk chicken, and rum cocktails are customer favorites. Known for outstanding customer service and friendly staff, Cool Runnings is a sure pick for a taste of the Caribbean.

Creole 2 Geaux is a New Orleans-inspired culinary concept in the heart of Columbus. Chef Janvier Ward developed her love of southern cooking from her mother and grandmother and created Creole 2 Geaux to take customers on a journey through New Orleans flavors using sustainable and fresh ingredients. It is home to the best shrimp po'boy in Ohio, and the creole bowl - a unique, customizable etouffee - is a close second. Chef Ward encourages you to stop by for your taste of the Big Easy.

Founded in 2020 by brothers Ricardo and Ian Wilson, Day 6 Coffee pays homage to their guardian angel, their brother Aaron, and his passion for food and cooking. Day 6 prides itself in providing excellent customer service, an ambiance that can be felt upon entering, and a networking environment where ideas can be exchanged. Featuring local art on their walls, the coffee shop also exhibits a strong sense of unity by allowing other small business owners to come in and showcase their products. Day 6 is downtown Houston’s first Black-owned coffee shop. In addition to typical coffee and tea offerings, Day 6 offers items authentic to Houston culture such as, breakfast tacos, kolaches (traditional and brisket & cheese), brisket tacos, mimosas and more.

Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen is a “come fi di food, stay fi di vibes” kind of place. Established in 2019 by Rodrick Leighton and Shrusan Gray, M.D., Dukunoo means “sweet thing” and is steeped in the history of the West African diaspora. Dukunoo Jamaican Kitchen is an eclectic, full-service restaurant offering fresh authentic Jamaican food, tropical hand-crafted cocktails, high-energy vibes, and a vibrant Caribbean cultural experience. The restaurant features indoor and outdoor patio dining, full bar and bottle service, hookah, and live music by house DJs. When you come fi di food, Dukunoo’s warm and friendly staff will greet you with a smile and show you what real hospitality means.

Established by brothers and Brooklyn natives Cary and Duane Earle, Earle’s on Crenshaw has served the Crenshaw and greater Los Angeles community for over 30 years. It is an institution built on the foundation of family, commitment to quality, and dedication to superior service. With a menu boasting New York and LA-inspired burgers, dogs, and sandwiches, including a variety of vegan options, Earle’s on Crenshaw has something for everyone.

Inspired by her desire to create a natural environment for herself and her family, Fayola Nicaisse launched ébène, a brand of skin and hair care products. ébène uses only the finest, natural ingredients to ensure the highest quality of products for every customer. Creating a fresh batch of products every week, ébène is pure, natural, and simple, and made for enjoyment and for use without compromising your health or the environment.

Fat’s Chicken & Waffles opened in 2015 in the space previously occupied by Central District landmark, Catfish Corner. Thanks to the community-forward leadership of owners Erika White and Marcus Lalario Fat’s has quickly become a neighborhood gem, known for its delicious Southern fare and casual vibe.

Pro tip: Order the Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit with a side of grits. You're welcome.

Did you know that farmed salmon are fed color pellets to get their pink color? Facts like these are what pushed Brandon and Krystal Williams to open FishScale in 2017, where they use fish that are sourced according to Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program. The burgers are topped with homemade condiments made from organic ingredients. FishScale's sustainable sourcing has gotten rave reviews, making it a popular spot in the D.C. area. At FishScale the food doesn't only taste good, it's good for the environment!

In the early 1980s, Mary Wesley realized that there were no black florists in her community! So, she went back to school, acquired the necessary skills, and opened up Flowers Just-4-U, where she has been arranging flowers for all occasions since 1984. Since then, she's survived gentrification, a looming eviction, and the pandemic with the support of her community. And in 2024, she celebrates 40 years in business. 

Frenchy’s Chicken is Houston’s famous spot for all things fried chicken. Established in 1969 by Percy “Frenchy” Creuzot, Jr. as “Frenchy’s Po-Boy,” it’s remained Houston-centric with a touch of New Orleans heritage and inspiration. The well-seasoned fried chicken paired with dirty rice, collard greens, or red beans became a staple on the original menu, and Frenchy’s Chicken became a Houston classic for those seeking comfort food. Frenchy’s believes that food made with passion for community and respect for heritage deserves to be shared, and the business thrives from four values: honor brand heritage, passion for community, integrity above all, and authentic Creole comfort.

(Google says it's temporarily closed so i'll check with Karinda)

Founded by Nikayla Golatt-Barrett, Good Cycle’s mission is to cultivate community and champion personal style through sustainable practices, goods, and fashion. The vintage shop is a reflection of Barrett’s community to sustainability and desire to craft a circular lifestyle. Through Good Cycle, Barrett uses her keen eye for unique, handpicked pieces and curates collections that reflect both timeless beauty and a commitment to our planet.

Created by Michael Glover and Executive Chef Rasul York, Grits & Eggs Breakfast is a farm-to-table restaurant with several locations across the Atlanta area, representing a new, fresh breakfast community in Atlanta. The menu includes extensive coffee and tea options, and breakfast and brunch favorites like chicken and waffles, fried snapper and grits, shrimp and grits, variations of egg Benedict, breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, french toast, and more. With their fresh ingredients, Grits & Eggs Breakfast Kitchen is sure to uplift your taste buds.

Harriett’s Bookshop is an avant-garde bookshop celebrating women authors, artists, and activists under the guiding light of Harriett Tubman. Jeannine Cook opened Harriett’s in 2020 as sort of a monument to Harriett Tubman, and to create a space for community to dialogue around important issues. Visitors to Harriett's will find books from a variety of styles and genres, but the works of Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, and Octavia Butler will always be present. Those are what Cook describes as the "foundational texts" of Harriett’s Bookshop. Cook envisions Harriett’s as more than a bookstore, but a community-centered place where literature moves the community into action.

Yancey Hawkins, founder of the Hawkins House of Burger, first set up shop in 1939. Now, his youngest daughter Cynthia Hawkins speaks with pride about her father and is continuing his reputation for serving some of the best burgers in Los Angeles. The burgers are made from high-quality ingredients like fresh Angus beef and local produce purchased and prepared daily. 

Bonus: Hawkins' chicken and turkey burgers are just as good as the beef!

Here's the scoop — in 2019, Karin Sellers opened the first Black and woman-owned ice cream shop in the Georgia Avenue neighborhood, and it has continued to make a lasting impact on the community. Their specialty is hand-dipped ice cream in a variety of flavors from classics like vanilla or chocolate to their standout flavors like Campfire S'mores or Pumpkin. The ice cream shop also offers dairy-free options, so everyone can enjoy scoop! Aside from ice cream, Here's The Scoop! has teamed up with other PoC-owned businesses to showcase their talents and offer baked goods like cookies, cakes, banana pudding, and much more.

Located on the lively H Street Corridor, Hill Prince is housed in a historic row house with a fascinating past. Over its 100-year lifespan, the building has served as a funeral parlor and an auto body shop. Today, however, it's home to a neighborhood bar serving classic cocktails alongside a curated selection of beer and wine. Enjoy your drink in the restored living room or outside in the courtyard-- you'll feel like you've stepped back in time. In 2023, renowned chef Rock Harper took ownership of the bar. You might recognize Chef Harper from his appearance in the third season of Hell's Kitchen. Spoiler alert: he won! 

Fun fact: Hill Prince is named after a racehorse who won the 1950 Preakness Stakes. 

Hilltop Coffee & Kitchen is a place for creators, as it represents the climb - the goals every one of us has and the obstacles we must inevitably overcome to realize them. Founded by Yonnie Hagos and Ajay Relan, and now in partnership with Issa Rae, Hilltop is driven by their mission to bring quality ingredients and good vibes to the community in an environment conducive to creativity, community, and connection. Serving an extensive food and drink menu, Hilltop wants to be the place to remind you that we’re all this together and to keep climbing.

Hippin Hops is Georgia’s first Black-owned brewery that is more than beer but encompasses the hearts and minds of owners, Clarence Boston and Donnica Boston. Using the finest ingredients and employing state of the art techniques, Hippin Hops creates a selection of enjoyable, flavorful, and authentic craft beers. In addition to delicious hops, the menu delivers a variety of oysters, poboys, pasta, salmon and catfish bites, and much more. Hippin Hops guarantees that the beer is always cold and the food always delicious, and the best thing is a fun outdoor area featuring a beer garden with fun games like cornhole and Jenga.

In Somali, "Hoyo" means mother, and in 2016, brothers Abdilahi and Mohamed created Hoyo’s Kitchen with their mother, Hayat Dalmar, as a celebration of her cooking and their Somali heritage. Hoyo’s Kitchen represents Somali food culture’s influences from Arabia, Persia, India, and Colonial Italian Nuances, and the Horn and East Africa’s flavors are at the forefront. Specializing in protein bowls, one can’t go wrong with a side of injera or a sambusa or two.

Founded by Chef Airric Heidelberg, Invasion is described as Dallas’ ultimate destination for fast, healthy, and gourmet dining. Invasion aims to revolutionize the culinary experience by offering an irresistible combination of fresh and delicious food at an unbeatable value. Self-proclaimed as the "home of the best chicken sandwich," the menu is meticulously crafted to delight with every bite.

Jackie’s Place is a women-led, family-operated business, and proud to be Silicon Valley’s only soul food and BBQ restaurant. Founded by Jackie Johnson, it originally started as a catering business in 1998, then launched a bakery in 2013, and finally Jackie’s Place in 2018. Paying homage to her Texas roots, Jackie’s signature dishes include fried catfish, fried chicken and waffles, ribs, and sweet potato pie, among other goodies on the extensive menu. And while Jackie’s Place is settled in the Bay Area, it serves everything big like in Texas.

Founded over 60 years ago by Johnny Mae Johnson, Jackson Soul Food first operated inside St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church as Mama’s Cafe, and today, Jackson’s continues to be a staple in Miami’s Overton neighborhood, delivering one of the best soul food experiences in Miami. Over the decades, the restaurant has served U.S. Presidents and celebrities like Nat King Cole, Trick Daddy, and Dwyane Wade. Jackson Soul Food’s delicious offerings include everything from fried catfish to meatloaf to oxtail to ribs, served with sides like biscuits, corn muffins, fried okra, and candied yams.

Terrell Jackson's grandparents opened the original Catfish Corner in 1985. After the business shut its doors, Terrell wanted to continue his grandparents' legacy, so he reopened and renamed it Jackson's Catfish Corner just blocks away from Catfish Corner's original location. At the family-owned business, Terrell sees his customers as family. Everything Terrell serves is finger-licking good — from the 1/2 pound basket of fried catfish to some of the best cornbread muffins you'll ever eat.

Serving southern-style BBQ for over two decades from the family recipes of Georgia native and Jon Jon’s founder John Erwin, the BBQ spot is a true San Jose eatery that is all about the food, delicious meats, and seasonings. Located in a walk-up trailer, your order will be grilled outside, just like BBQ should be prepared.

Reading is an act of self-care that was passed on to Terri Hamm from her mother, and she’s thankful to share the ritual with her children. She opened Kindred Stories in Houston, Texas in 2021 out of a love for reading and a passion for community. 

Kindred Stories gives kids and adults alike a space to explore the wide open world of literary content and creative works fashioned by Black and brown hands. They are a bookstore committed to amplifying Black voices and bringing diverse stories from throughout the African diaspora to their local community in Houston.

Revitalizing how the world experiences southern comfort food, the core of Kitchen + Kocktails is built on three principles: great food, unique cocktails, and an enjoyable experience. Owner Kevin Kelley promises that whether you have a taste for classic soul food entrees such as shrimp and grits, southern fried catfish or modern soul food options like chicken and waffles, jerk lamb chops, or a fresh lobster tail, Kitchen + Kocktails will serve it and your experience will be one of high care and quality.

Kulture is downtown Houston’s destination for new twists on southern classics and is best described as an urban comfort kitchen. Created by restauranteur Marcus Davis, Kulture aims to express the cultural contributions of African Americans in this nation through food, music, and art. Delicious food, curated art, and live performances or good vibes over the speakers will feed your soul at this downtown oasis.

Libreri Mapou is a bookstore and cultural center focused on Haitian-American culture. Founded by Jan Mapou, it's located in the heart of Little Haiti in Miami serving as a popular gathering place for Haitian-Americans, and regularly hosts high-caliber cultural and literary events. Find books in French and English on Haiti and the Caribbean, newspapers from Haiti, plus arts and crafts and their famous Haitian drink, Kremas Mapou.

Shanna Dean opened Lifestyle Cafe, a vegan restaurant, in January 2020. The restaurant’s conception is inspired by her grandmother, who died of preventable chronic diseases. With the mission to create a clean eating experience, without sacrificing flavor, Lifestyle’s menu includes vegan versions of chicken and waffles, burgers and patty melts, sandwiches, breakfast items, and more. Lifestyle is a place where customers sit and talk long after enjoying their meals, and where wellness and sustainable food practices are the norm.

Crafted by Nicole Gates and Chef Karim Bryant, Lil GreenHouse Grill specializes in edgy Neo-soul cuisine. The restaurant is community and family-centered, where every customer is treated as such and where you feel at home and uplifted while dining on food created and crafted with a great deal of love and thought. Whether enjoying a sandwich, burger, wings, seafood cakes, shrimp & grits or smoked BBQ ribs, Lil GreenHouse Grill will not disappoint.

Founded by Zak Wallace, Local Green Atlanta provides fresh and flavorful pescatarian, vegan, and vegetarian cuisine to communities who need it the most, and have long gone without healthier options. Local Green Atlanta is more than a restaurant but is a public health initiative that intends to reduce food deserts in the United States with a mission to reduce health disparities within communities plagued with inequitable health outcomes related to food. While health is at the forefront of Local Green, taste and flavor are not compromised and remain central in its vast menu options.

Lucille’s is a nationally acclaimed restaurant in the heart of Houston’s Museum District, specializing in Southern cuisine with infusions of  international techniques and flavors. Co-founded in August 2012 by brothers Chris and Ben Williams, the restaurant is a tribute to the culinary tradition begun by their great-grandmother, Lucille B. Smith. Today, James Beard Award Finalist Chef Chris Williams and Chef de Cuisine  Khang Hoang continue to pay homage to her by replicating some of her most famous recipes while embellishing others to create innovative takes on Southern food classics. 

Established in 2019 by Ron and Nicole Morris, Lucy Pearl’s is an extension of their love for sweets and desire to share that love with their customers. The fabric of Lucy Pearl’s is five generations of recipes, including the award winning “Betty Lou,” a sour cream pineapple coconut cake. Steeped in family heritage, menu items include delectable treats and variety of flavorful cookies, cakes, pecan bars, lemon bars, brownies and more. Lucy Pearl’s is sure to fulfill any sweet tooth craving.

For 10 years, Mahogany Books was an online bookstore before opening a brick-and-mortar location in 2017. This independent, family-owned bookstore carries books written for, by, or about folks of African descent, Owners Ramunda Young and Derrick Young have long sought to empower others through accessible, representational literature.

Fun fact: MahoganyBooks also hosts an annual Books for the Block book drive benefiting youth in metropolitan Washington D.C.!

Reflecting on his childhood, Malik Mohammad realized there were few children's books that featured Black characters, and the literature he read impacted his own perception of African American history. Inspired to change this for others, he opened his very own community bookstore, Malik Books, in 1990. Today, people of all ages can find a brilliant selection of books covering topics like history, self-help, romance, children's books, biographies, and more.

Fun fact: Malik Books often hosts book signing events with beloved authors!

Manifest is not your average barbershop. While the owner, KJ Hughes, pays homage to the classic barbershop experience with white tiles and comfortable leather chairs, the rest goes above and beyond. Service is priority number one at Manifest, from the personalized cut or shave to respecting your most valuable asset, which is your time. Additionally, there's a coffee bar to enjoy before or during your service, and a cocktail bar inside is available with reservations required. To round out the full experience, Manifest offers thoughtfully curated home goods like hair and skin care products, candles, sweatshirts, cologne, and more. 

Marcus Books was founded 60 years ago by Julian Richardson and Dr. Raye Richardson and is the oldest independent Black-owned bookstore in the country. Now, after the founders have passed away, it is run by their daughter Blache Richardson, and her children. Marcus Books offers the opportunity for Black people and their allies to learn about and celebrate Black people around the world. The Richardson's believe literature is essential to building cultural competency and understanding, so they do the best they can to highlight Black voices. They even have an anti-racism and allyship section for kids!

Bonus: Marcus Books will ship books straight to your door!

Created in 2021 by Jeriah Askew, Marlei’s Sweet Tooth is named in honor of Askew’s daughter Marlei. Offering a plethora of regular and vegan options such as milkshakes, dessert french toast, sundaes, ice cream, waffles, sandwiches, and more, Marlei’s Sweet Tooth is sure to satisfy all your sweet cravings. In addition to the dessert delicacies, Marlei’s offers a private party room for a unique experience for special occasions such as baby showers, graduations, field trips, milestone birthdays, and just-because gatherings.

Established in 2023 by Philadelphians Shanika and Jomar Sheppard, Marlow’s Cheesesteaks brings the Columbus area another taste of Philly. Marlow’s imports its bread from Amoroso’s Baking Company, an iconic Philly area bread company, to capture the authentic cheesesteak experience. And Jomar lent his nickname, Marlow, to the branding and to a signature cheesesteak, Marlow’s Way - steak, cheese wiz, provolone, mushrooms, sautéed onions, hot peppers, mayo, and spicy mustard, requiring a substantial appetite and a vast napkin supply. Marlow’s goal is to always deliver quality products and provide exceptional customer service. It is the place where you can have it all - the best ingredients, big flavors, and big fun.

Created by Demetrius Walker in 2021, Meek’s Vegan Pizza has become the “go-to” for those seeking the deliciousness of plant-based pizza . Walker started the restaurant to help his son transition to a vegan lifestyle, and his pizza retired three objectives: delicious, healthy, and cruelty-free. Fulfilling these objectives, Meek’s is vegans, vegatarians, and omivores alike, and is located inside Darwin's Pub, 

Branching out from their corporate backgrounds, Rodney Hines and Todd Herriott founded Métier Brewing Company in 2018 with the vision of creating a welcoming gathering space and a family-friendly destination. At their Central District location, Rodney and Todd offer 12-16 distinctive beers on tap. Proceeds from Métier's award-winning Coconut Porter help fund their internship program, which aims to boost diversity in the brewing industry by training aspiring beer makers.

Bonus: Check out Métier Brewing Company's original location in Woodinville. 

Mo’ Better Brews is Houston’s first vegan coffee shop, restaurant, and record store - yes all those in one place. Menu items are exceptional and delicious, and the atmosphere is perfect for good food, music, and drinks. Created by Chasitie and Courtney Lindsay in 2021, it is a space that merges their love for music and vegan food and drinks and is a now staple of Houston’s 3rd Ward.

Morgan’s Restaurant is the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The signature brunch menu is available daily until 5 pm, serving some of the most delicious and decadent dishes. Crowd favorites and must-orders include mascarpone and raspberry stuffed french toast, and frittata and fried Chicken with biscuits and gravy. There is no going home hungry here!

Inspired by her parents’ Southern heritage, Chef Alisa Reynolds created My 2 Cents LA to bring healthy twists to traditional classics with items like gluten-free fried chicken, quinoa macaroni and cheese, braised greens, or girts fries with fresh market vegetables. For the classic lovers, My 2 Cents also offers Reynolds’ take on pork chops, delectable grits, shrimp poboy, and a range of taco options - oxtail is a favorite. My 2 Cents LA is undeniable proof that soul food can be healthy without sacrificing any of the flavor or comfort.

My Father’s BBQ is the spot where Alabama meets Texas-style BBQ. Created by Chef Shalamar Lane, My Father’s Barbecue takes the traditions and the best of her family recipes, a mix of Alabama and Texas, and brings it to southern California. For Lane, barbecue begins with family, and as a fourth-generation pitmaster, she delivers the authentic taste and family lessons of smoked pork and beef ribs, pulled pork, beef briskets, chicken, hotlinks, and all the sides and desserts.

Founded with the mission to bring people together through the power of coffee or tea by sisters Jeronica and Be’Anka, Nirvana Soul is a staple of San Jose. Their beans are fairly sourced from coffee farms across the word, then roasted locally in their Loring Smart Roaster. While enjoying a delicious cup, Nirvana Soul strives to create a joyful experience from their core values of kindness, inspiration, trustworthiness, accountability, and customer-centric.

Founded with the mission to bring people together through the power of coffee or tea by sisters Jeronica and Be’Anka Ashaolu, Nirvana Soul is a staple of San Jose. Their beans are fairly sourced from coffee farms across the word, then roasted locally in their Loring Smart Roaster. While enjoying a delicious cup, Nirvana Soul strives to create a joyful experience from their core values of kindness, inspiration, trustworthiness, accountability, and customer-centric.

Created by Jamie and Jilea Hemmings, Nourish + Bloom Market is the country’s first and the world’s first Black-owned autonomous grocery store with robotic delivery. The Hemmings started their journey into the food industry after their son’s autism diagnosis; this experience helped them realize that everyone deserves access to healthy food, and Nourish + Bloom is on a mission to make eating healthy and convenient.

Founded in 2015, Oakland’s Own is a locally and family-owned clothing business, committed to both customers and the larger community, giving back a portion of profits to Fordtown Foundation. Oakland’s Own is a customer-centric apparel line that seeks to establish fruitful and mutual relationships with its customers by listening to their needs and driving maximum satisfaction. Oakland Own is committed to using durable, quality fabric to deliver top-quality apparel products with the vision to be the preferred apparel line within and beyond the city of Oakland.

Founded in 2021by former NFL cornerback, Josh Norman, Omni Coffee & Eggs is Atlanta's premiere cafe experience located in the heart of Downtown Atlanta. The menu showcases our house brand, Omni Coffee Brands, with specialty imported beans from around the world. If you’re in search of a noble experience in every sip, then look no further.

Peter Opare founded Open Crumb with his parents, Tony and Abigail Opare, in 2019, serving West African comfort food with some American influence. The take-out-focused restaurant prepares all of its dishes from scratch, prioritizing quality and freshness. Enjoy a bowl of tomato stew served with jollof rice, a West African staple, or fufu, a dough made from boiled and pounded cassava root and plantain.

You can choose to order your meal paired with a side dish or have it served to you as a sandwich, complete with their house-made bread and your choice of toppings. Vegetarians rejoice: they offer a variety of meat-free dishes like spinach stew, a stew made from coco-yam leaf, tomatoes, egusi, and spices. 

Originally from Trinidad, Pam Jacob moved to Seattle in the mid-1990s, and dreamed of opening her own restaurant. She began catering events for her housecleaning clients, and before she knew it she had opened Pam’s Kitchen, where she serves her outstanding Trinidadian food.

Bandele Tyehimba established the Pan-African Connection Bookstore and Resource Center to bring a high-quality bookstore to the Dallas area, and for decades it's brought a culturally rich and historically relevant presence to the community. Pan-African Connection specializes in books on the history, health, and forward movement of African (Black) people, with one of the largest online retail African Art galleries in the world.

The bookstore also offers clothing, fabrics, educational puzzles, jewelry, natural hair products, oils, posters, paintings, and photo albums. After Bandele passed away in 2012, his wife, Akwete Tyehimba, took over to keep the business going.

Established as a coffee pop-up in October 2020, owners Ben Willis and Jeffrey Clark opened Parable’s first brick and mortar location in downtown Columbus in July 2022. Parable operates on a gratuity-free system to ensure stable wages and authenticity for their employees and offers customer a  “pay what you like” program. They only seek out coffee from high-quality roasters like Deeper Roots Coffee in Cincinnati, Brandywine Coffee of Delaware, Onyx Coffee Lab in Arkansas, Black & White Coffee of North Carolina, and Sey Coffee in Brooklyn.

Phillips Bar-B-Que is another LA BBQ institution, established by Foster Phillips, cousin of Woody’s BBQ Founder, Woody Phillips. Known for long weekend lines and its delicious BBQ, especially the saucy ribs, rib tips, chicken links, and pulled pork, Phillips continues the strong family legacy of delicious and authentic BBQ.

This Black and family-owned smoothie & juice bar opened in March 2023, taking over the former location of Super Juiced in Swan Market Courtyard. Planet Squeeze prides itself on its house-made milk options, fresh and organic products, and a variety of options to quench your smoothie or juice desires.

Whether you're planning a boozy brunch or a weeknight date night, Post & Beam is sure to impress. Drawing inspiration from classic soul food, the restaurant menu is chock-full of amazing meals like shrimp and grits, fried chicken, and sweet potato pie. Also known for their phenomenal pizza and handcrafted cocktails, there's a little something for everyone. The restaurant has been under the ownership of Chef John Cleveland and Roni Cleveland who continues to refine the food and atmosphere.

Fun fact: The restaurant sources booze from Minneapolis favorite, Du Nord.

Prime Fusion touts itself as the premier West African dining experience and lounge in Philadelphia, offering a unique and flavorful combination of traditional West African cuisine with a modern twist. Created by Anthony Daramola, a native Nigerian, to bring these delightful flavors to Philly. Prime Fusion is a celebration of West African culture, founded on a deep passion for traditional food and warm hospitality, and the menu is a reflection of the unique flavors of the region.

Carissa and Kenneth Stephens opened Pur Noire in November 2021 as Houston's first Black-owned winery and tasting room. They believe that wine is more than a drink, and brings people together to create great experiences. Created with a focus on quality, their grapes are sourced from the most respected vineyards in California, and it is a quality customers can taste in every sip and a wine experience in every bottle.

Founded by Edward Garcia and Jeannie Wong, Queen & Rook Cafe is Philly’s #1 rated and award-winning board game cafe with a restaurant, bar, game, and puzzle store, events, and youth programming. Queen & Rook boasts the largest game library in the region with more than 1,300 board games. In the retro arcade, guests will immerse in the classic video game titles from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. With a carefully curated selection of arcade machines, special events, and planned live DJ nights, patrons will have the opportunity to relive cherished memories or discover the joys of retro gaming for the first time.

Recipe Oak Cliff is a plant-based hub for fresh-pressed juices, smoothies, vegan burgers, tacos, barbecue jackfruit, and more. Located in what’s considered a food desert, Owner Tisha Crear created Recipe Oak Cliff to bring fresh options to the community as everyone deserves healthier food options; they just need access. The friendly spot has welcomed customers from all walks of life, and Crear opens her space for other plant-based chefs to use for dinners and pop-ups. Recipe Oak Cliff is a space for community and health.

Red Bay Coffee Box is about more than crafting delicious, specialty coffee — it’s about supporting and building community. Owner Keba Konte works hard to ensure his coffee is high quality and sustainably-sourced, without exploiting the farms he works with. Red Bay is also dedicated to fostering a space of inclusivity and diversity — women make up 60% of the management team, and Red Bay makes a point to hire people who were formerly incarcerated, people of color, and people with disabilities. Red Bay also doubles as a community space for host musicians, magazine releases, demonstrations, and whatever the community may need.

Fun fact: Keba opened his first shop in 2014 and has since expanded to include a coffee 'box,' van, and public roastery.

Celebrating the roots of American cuisine and the diverse culinary traditions of the neighborhood, Red Rooster serves comfort food in the heart of Overtown. Created by Chef Marcus Samuelsson, Red Rooster shares the story of Overtown with their guests and offers a platform to celebrate local artists, musicians, and culinary talents. In 2022, Michelin, the world’s most famous international rating guide, awarded Red Rooster the Bib Gourmand honor, which spotlights restaurants that showcase exceptional food at a great value.

Rize Up Bakery started in 2020 as a home project to channel energy after the murder of George Floyd. Owner Azikiwee Anderson wanted to provide something healing and comforting to his community during the social unrest that overlapped the pandemic and found his small operation turning into a full-scale bakery soon after. Specialty sourdough loaves include the OG, garlic confit and thyme, and ube, just to name a few. Other bake delights include croutons, hoagies, crostinis, and a Sunday Morning Biscuit Mix to make at home. 

Chef Tiffany Derry and Tom Foley created Roots Southern Table in homage to the way Chef Drew grew up eating in the South. For Tiffany, memories of eating at her grandmother’s home and eating field-to-table are the inspiration behind the concept. Roots Southern Table is more than a celebration of food and memories, but is a celebration of who we are, and our roots. Tiffany and Tom want to invoke the feeling of customers coming home to great food and to those they love. Delectable choices like cast iron cornbread, gumbo, duck-fat fried chicken, jerk swordfish, and more are sure to invoke the feeling of home.

Created by Jamila and Akino West initially as a pop-up, Rosie’s is a soul food concept known for Southern-inspired dishes with a nod to the couple’s formal culinary training. It is the “go-to” place for brunch with its beautiful dining and patio area and favorite dishes like savory fried chicken and waffles, fried fish and grits, cacio e peppe omelet, and wild mushroom polenta. Rosie’s is also a recipient of Michelin’s esteemed Bib Gourmand award.

Created by Rudolph Edwards and Linda Shaw Edwards, Rudy’s Chicken is known as one of the best fried chicken spots in the Dallas-Forth Worth area. Due to its popularity and deliciousness, this beloved chicken shack has long lines on any given day. But if customers don’t mind hopping out of the driver's seat, the walk-up counter serves customers a little quicker. Either way, it is well worth the wait.

Sandlot Southeast is a 5,000-square-foot, outdoor container bar and event space offering cold-pressed cocktails & grab-and-go meals with a side of sports, music, cultural arts, and entertainment. The project's inspiration originated in 2018 when friends Ian Callender and Kevin Hallums, both D.C. natives, wanted to commemorate the 25th anniversary of one of their favorite movies, “The Sandlot.” The goal is to reclaim vacant, abandoned, blighted, and unused lots and convert them into active cultural facilities that welcome genuine community engagement through the same creative economy that helps neighborhoods thrive.

Scoops ’N’ Smiles is the official ice cream of the Philadelphia Union, created by brothers Akain and Yuself Rowland in 2016. The West Philly natives grew up eating water ice and decided to make their own, and you’ll find at least 10 flavors in the store at all times. Scoops ’N’ Smiles also serves a rotating list of Dutch Farm ice cream, made with quality ingredients and hand-packed to ensure every spoonful exceeds expectations. A visit to Scoops ’N’ Scoops is sure to cure that sweet craving, leaving customers smiling and satisfied.

A participant in the Seattle Restored activation, Self-Made Couture is your go-to destination for custom suits, tuxedos, and blazers, catering to both men and women. Co-owners and spouses Brandon C. Chestnut and Sydney Chestnut established the company in 2015, driven by their passion for impeccable tailoring and individual style. In 2023, co-owner Laron Daniels opened their pop-up store in Downtown Seattle. 

When you choose Self-Made Couture, you get to work directly with their skilled styling experts, either through virtual consultations or in-person meetings. Together, you'll design your dream outfit, ensuring every element is carefully and expertly tailored to your preferences. Head to their website to book a consultation today! 

Pinky Cole's late-night "junk food" cravings were keeping her up at night. Sorely missing some of the comfort foods of her past, she thought other vegans might miss these treats, too. Thus her famous restaurant, Slutty Vegan, was born in the summer of 2018. Her innovative recipes have been acclaimed and are popular amongst non-vegans and vegans alike (you might even catch some celebrities around!). The menu offers a wide range of plant-based burgers to try like the Sloppy Toppy, a burger loaded with jalapeños, vegan cheese, caramelized onions, and their signature "slut sauce."

Today, she's got over 10 locations plus a food truck for hire, and a catering option to bring the goods to you.

Pro tip: You don't want to miss their delicious "slutty fries!"

Founded by “Smokey” John Reaves in 1976, Smokey John’s Bar-B-Que & Home Cooking continues to serve hearty, Texas-style portions of traditional hickory smoked BBQ. From pork ribs or hot links to fried catfish or brisket, Smokey John’s offers a wide variety of Southern BBQ favorites, giving customers the ultimate taste of fresh, local flavors. With almost 50 years of service to the community, Smokey’s has earned a reputation for providing fast and friendly service with true southern hospitality. The long-time family operation extends the same spirit of family to its customers, building a legacy for their family and community.

Soiree Coffee Bar serves up more than coffee with its weekend brunch and jazz-inspired cocktails. Created by Clive and LaFree Ryan, Soiree is a place to eat, drink, and gather. The Ryans believe that music, coffee, and culture bring people from all backgrounds together and that Soiree is the ultimate hub for Black excellence. But for coffee lovers, Soiree uses premium coffee beans that are then roasted and brewed to perfection. Customers will taste the excellence in just one sip, surrounded by a smooth ambiance of jazz.

Established in 2006, Sole Classics is a hub for sneaker culture and urban fashion enthusiasts. While they’ve created a niche in the industry by specializing in limited-edition footwear, apparel, and accessories, their commitment to customers through exceptional customer service and the larger community with community-minded activations is what sets them apart. Sole Classics believes in a collaborative spirit, partnering with customers to cultivate their style, supporting local artists and brands, and fostering community connections. They are more than a retail store but a community-driven destination where style, passion, and innovation intersect.

Soul 2 Go is a “to go” concept from brothers Will and Kevin Hightower, showcasing their signature soul bowls and dinner entrees. Launched in 2020, customers can enjoy flavorful bowls ranging from pan-seared salmon fettuccine, buttermilk fried chicken, fried fish, bourbon and jerk chicken, and more. The siblings aren’t strangers to the food business, having created Buns & Brews, and Soul 2 Go is the next step in their delicious repertoire.

Joe and Celia Ward-Wallace are on a mission to fight racial, social, economic, and food inequity through coffee, community, and connection. They started South LA Cafe after decades of living in a food desert because they wanted fresh, affordable, and healthy food options for themselves and their neighbors. Instead of waiting for it to appear, they decided to take a leap of faith and provide it themselves. Joe and Celia are proud community leaders, culture preserves, experience curators, and community connectors.

South LA Cafe is a community space to take pride in the history, legacy, and future of South Central.

Fun Fact: South LA Cafe has helped provide 990,000 meals to their community. They are a community space to take pride in the history, legacy, and future of South Central.

Established by Lino Joseph, born in Haiti and reared in Miami, Spice House is Lino’s gift to Atlanta in the form of a refined Caribbean restaurant and his obsession for details and artistic flair in dining. With four locations across Atlanta, Spice House focuses on unparalleled service and giving customers an unparalleled fine dining experience. The menu is inspired and developed from distinct dishes from selected Caribbean islands including, Haiti, Jamaica, Trinidad, and the Bahamas.

Created by Antwain Bullock, Sweet Treat Hut creates delightful healthy smoothies, juices, and food options, and focused on helping people find a healthier way to eat and make more health-conscious food decisions. For the smoothies lover, Sweet Treat Hut offers an extensive menu, including seasonal specials and a create-your-own option. Enjoy an array of flavorful blends, from Banana Nut Bread and Green Apple Ice Cream to Apple Cranberry and Chunky Monkey.

At Taste of the Caribbean, owners Carlene Comrie and Dwayne Blake give the Central District an authentic taste of Jamaica and its vibrant culture. Carlene partnered with Dwayne in 2013 to open Taste of the Caribbean because they wanted to open a restaurant that celebrated their Jamaican heritage. Taste of the Caribbean showcases Jamaican culture in many ways from the relaxed and stress-free atmosphere to lively music and soul-comforting food. Carlene's vision was to create a hub that weaves the Caribbean community together and gives people a sense of what it’s like to sit in your grandma’s kitchen in Jamaica, offering delicious dishes like oxtail, jerk chicken, curried goat, and fried plantains.

A family-owned restaurant founded by Richard Thomas, The Island Spot is where family and friends come together to share fun and wonderful memories around the dinner table. The restaurant serves authentic Jamaican food made by Mama Joyce, Richard's mother and head chef, who grew up in Spanish Town, Jamaica. It's the perfect place to experience a taste of Jamaica in Dallas while enjoying tropical cocktails in a fun and vibrant atmosphere. 

The James Room is a spirited cocktail lounge and gathering place to forge the need for social interaction, connection, and positive energy. Owner Harold Brinkley has made the lounge a place where customers can leave their stresses at the door and enjoy hand-crafted cocktails paired with savory bites. Dimly lit ambiance and intentionally curated music ensure the James Room is a vibe. In addition, the Beltline location doubles as a cafe during the day, serving coffee, tea, and baked goods.

Late rap legend and entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle opened The Marathon Clothing in his childhood Crenshaw neighborhood to inspire people, create a legacy, and a path to economic freedom. Continuing the legacy of Hussle, his children, and his family, the store carries women's, men's, and children’s apparel, footwear, headwear, accessories, and more. The Marathon continues…

The Museum is a premium retail boutique and event space founded by LeGreg Harrison and Muhammed Hill. It caters to enthusiasts who use fashion and art as sources of inspiration. Designed as an art gallery, The Museum intends to promote creativity and expression and provide a luxurious and intimate experience through art and fashion in the nation’s capital.

Founded by Harold Sparks in 1983, The Serving Spoon provides excellent food that is not only “Love At First Bite,” but a place where customers feel like family. Today, the restaurant is an Inglewood institution led today by Harold's grandchildren, Justin Johnson and Jessica Bane. The cozy breakfast and lunch spot serves omelets, french toast, pancakes, waffles, grits, burgers, turkey wings, catfish, and more.

The Shops of Overtown is a locally renowned destination for historic, fashionable and favorite local brands. In 2015, Trina Harris launched The Shops of Overtown with vision of bringing outdoor retail carts to Overtown. Now with the newly renovated Overtown Shopping Plaza, The Shops is a destination where guests can find the latest in streetwear, sneakers, and souvenirs while experiencing snippets of Overtown’s history.

The Village Retail is a curated marketplace of 25 local Black entrepreneurs in Ponce City Market, uniting businesses for a unique and special shopping experience. Customers can find businesses with goods in apparel, home goods, body products, and much more. Founded by Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon, the Village connects Black-owned businesses to engaged customers, impactful resources and dedicated community partners, and had become a staple in the Atlanta area and an economic vehicle, coining the phrase - Support is a Verb.

Family-owned business, The Water Ice Shoppe, brings Philly’s iconic summer treat of homemade Italian ice to Columbus. The signature treat can be enjoyed any day of the year, but especially in the summer months when you need the perfect way to cool down. Enjoy a variety of refreshing and delightful flavors like mango, tangy cherry, or tropical rainbow blend that’s sure to bring a smile.

Created by “Chopped” winner and Chef Timothy Witcher, The Wing Kitchen is the place that’s all about flavor, handcrafted sauces and rubs, and fresh ingredients. Their approach is to provide customers with hot, fresh, one-of-a-kind chicken wings, tenders, fries, and unique donuts. The Wing Kitchen’s goal is to transcend the chicken wing with its big and bold authentic flavors.

Sisters Donna and Donya Craddock created The Dock Bookshop in 2008. It is one of the largest Black-owned, full-service bookstores in Texas and the southwestern US. The Dock’s mission is to inspire, inform, and entertain customers through books and book-related events in a relaxing and spacious environment.

West Philly native Jessica Roche created Toast Cafe in 2022 as a space she wanted to patronize, where you come as a customer and leave as a homie. Jessica started with the cooking show during the COVID-19 pandemic, and her delicious dishes led her to open Toast Cafe. Popular menu items include pralines and cream french toast, blueberry and lemon jawn, and main jawns - fish and grits, and oxtail and grits.

Houston rap legend Bun B (Bernard Freeman), Andy Nguyen, and Nick Scrufield started Trill Burgers in the summer of 2021 as a pop-up shop at local food events. Since then, they’ve opened retail locations and gained accolades for their mouthwatering smash burger featuring two all-beef patties, cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, and their Trill Sauce on a potato bun. In 2022, “Good Morning America” honored them as the best burger in America. Locally, Trill Burgers is proud to support the community through the Southern Smoke Foundation, Second Servings of Houston, and more. Most of all, they urge customers to “Keep it Trill,” signifying ultimate respect, and the essence of what it means to be a Houstonian.

Houston rap legend Bun B (Bernard Freeman), Andy Nguyen, and Nick Scrufield started Trill Burgers in the summer of 2021 as a pop-up shop at local food events. Since then, they’ve opened retail locations and gained accolades for their mouthwatering smash burger featuring two all-beef patties, cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, and their Trill Sauce on a potato bun. In 2022, “Good Morning America” honored them as the best burger in America. Locally, Trill Burgers is proud to support the community through the Southern Smoke Foundation, Second Servings of Houston, and more. Most of all, they urge customers to “Keep it Trill,” signifying ultimate respect, and the essence of what it means to be a Houstonian.

Find Trill Burgers inside Section 130 at Shell Energy Stadium.

Created in 2018 by Dorothea Gamble and Dagmar Mitchell, Trunc is a boutique focused on providing the community with accessible, sustainable, quality, and affordable handcrafted and functional products. Trunc’s goal is to enhance the lives of its customers while offering impeccable customer service. Carrying products from artisans of all cultures, backgrounds, and lifestyles, Trunc's makers are as diverse as its product assortment. Trunc offers a variety of products ranging from clothing, jewelry, and home goods, to skincare products.

Chef and Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours owner Deborah VanTrece loves to feed people comfort food that crosses cultural divides. In 2016, Deborah opened Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours to serve a unique fusion of classic soul food and worldly flavors inspired by her travels — you'll find hoisin oxtail with shallot ginger bok choy, marinated crispy fried chicken, peri peri chicken with roasted farm vegetable pesto, and more thoughtfully inventive dishes on their menu. Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours was voted best new restaurant in Atlanta by the Georgia Voice, ranked among the best new openings in Atlanta by Thrillist, and has been featured on the Cooking Channel’s ‘Late Nite Eats’ and Genius Kitchen’s ‘Carnivorous’.

Fun fact: Deborah cooked for foreign dignitaries and international executives during the Centennial Olympics in Atlanta!

Mustafaa Shabazz opened Ujamaa in 1997 and seeks to uplift the Black community through literacy and centers Black readers as the subject of their reality. For almost 30 years, the bookstore has been a staple for the community and one of few Black-owned bookstores in the state. Today, the bookstore remains a resource for knowledge, especially for children, for subjects like Kwanzaa and other historical events and celebrations. Through Ujamaa, Shabazz provides economic opportunities for young people and champions the power of literacy as the way to build strong families in the Black community. Additionally, all purchases support their Juneteenth Ohio Festival.

Harold Fields is putting his spin on Japanese street food at Umami Kushi in Rainier Beach. Umami Kushi is known for their okazu pan — a fried bread stuffed with a savory filling — but Harold also serves other classic Japanese foods like yakitori. In 2009, Harold brought his love of Japanese street food to Seattle after being introduced to the wonders of the curbside cuisine in Tokyo. Odds are, you’ve probably seen his okazu pans all over the city and beyond at places like The Station, Seattle Fish Guys, and inside Métier Brewing.

Growing up, Marc Lamont Hill's Uncle Bobbie taught him the importance of critical literacy, especially as a black man living in the contemporary United States. Today, Lamont Hill is a Temple University professor, CNN commentator, and the owner of Uncle Bobbie's Coffee and Books in Germantown. Whether you come to sip a specialty coffee or purchase a book by a featured African-American author, you'll find that the shop is home to a robust community.

Bonus: If you find yourself hungry, there are fresh soups, salads, and sandwiches available for purchase!

Founded in 2010 by the Habte family, Upper Cup Coffee's roots are steeped in the coffee culture and heritage of Eritrea. Their menu offers flavorful teas, coffees, pastries, and lunch & breakfast options, but the essence of Upper Cup is creating an authentic taste and organic experience. Operating as a wholesaler and retailer, each bean is roasted on site to create a delightful and nostalgic aromatic experience for each customer. Ultimately, simply sharing their love of coffee with the community is the goal of the Habte family through Upper Cup Coffee

Williams Smokehouse BBQ and Blues is an old-school traditional Texas barbecue concept with a Creole-modern twist. Founders Kennis Williams and Furrest Greenwood wanted the restaurant to infuse the two things they love - BBQ and blues - so customers can eat and have a good time. Sticking to the principles of BBQ - wood type, smoke time, temperature, and seasonings, Williams Smokehouse is sure to fulfill your Texas BBQ craving. You can also visit their original location and blues venue in Sugarland, Texas.

Willowbeez SoulVeg is a family-owned vegan soul food restaurant and catering company, serving the Columbus community since 2012. Located at the historic North Market in downtown Columbus, they believe in the wellness of the community, accessing food of the past to push forward, and the value of plant-based lifestyle propelling healthier outcomes. You’ll find delightful dishes, with vegan takes on the BLT, lasagna, fried fish, poboys, and much more.

Established in 1975 by Woody Phillips, Woody’s Bar-B-Que is an institution with four locations across South Los Angeles. Woody’s keeps BBQ simple - the meat comes off their fire pit (brick ovens with oak wood) to steam tables, then directly out to the door to the customer. Touting themselves as the most authentic BBQ in LA, Woody’s signature smoky flavor and sauce have been well-known throughout Los Angeles and appreciated by generations of locals since 1975. Woody passed away in 2020, but his son Rodney and other family members continue on the legacy. 

World Famous House of Mac is known for its unique spin on traditional cuisine. Owner Derrick Turton is famous for his delightful dishes like jerk salmon pasta, fried chicken & waffles, and his signature World Famous Mac & Cheese. Turton's culinary odyssey began in the 90s with culinary school, where he discovered a deep connection to the kitchen. In 2015, he launched his food truck in Wynwood, Miami, and now World Famous has a celebrity following and has been featured on the Today Show, Rachael Ray, Fox Business News, Forbes, Inside Edition, Billboard, and The Cooking Channel.

Wynwood Parlor creates Miami’s favorite ice cream sandwich. Opened in 2015 by Laurence McMillon, Wynwood sold its first handmade sandwiches and small batched cookies from an ice cream truck in a vacant lot in Miami’s Wynwood Art District. Now, the popular spot has multiple locations with local delivery, nationwide shipping, catering, and a robust program that services local restaurants, beach clubs, and hotels. The best-selling, Dough Boy sandwich - chocolate chip cookie with cookie dough ice cream - is sure to soothe those hot Miami days and nights.

Yinibini Baby is a retail clothing store made especially for the little people in our lives. Owner Soyini George creates clothing and accessories from environmentally friendly organic cotton fabrics and non-toxic inks, and in turn delivers soft, breathable organic cotton products for children, newborn to four years old. George believes that stories have a powerful and unique impact on our lives—from sharing personal experiences to storytime snuggles with our favorite books.

Yinibini Baby weaves the magic of storytelling into every garment designed so that you and your little people can create wonderful stories of your own. Customers will also find a curated selection of toys, books, and other items for kids up to eight years old, that encourage imagination and play.

Founded in 2009 by Troy Taylor, ZuCot Gallery represents Taylor’s passion for collecting art. The name is in tribute to his Grandmother, born in the late 1800s in the British colony of Saint Christopher, not St. Kitts, who had a reputation for being “tough as a Zoo Cat.” After the family came to America, her name softened some to “ZuCot.” Today, ZuCot Gallery is the largest Black fine arts gallery in the southeastern US and is a place where like-minded individuals gather, network, and connect through the world of art. ZuCot invites you to come, see, and collect.