Black History Month 2025: Community Impact Update

As we reflect on Black History Month, we’re excited to share the impact our community made in supporting local Black-owned businesses in 2025. From shattering our Receipt & Receive program goals to launching unique collaborations like the “Together” Candle, this month was filled with meaningful initiatives that went beyond transactions to create lasting connections.

In this recap, you’ll discover how Seattle showed up in force – through sports partnerships, community events, small business spotlights, and BECU’s generous support of the Equity in Action program. We’re particularly proud to highlight our expanded Buy Black Card network, welcoming 15 new businesses that make our community more vibrant. Join us in celebrating these achievements and the remarkable entrepreneurs who make our city unique, proving that when we #SpendLikeItMatters, we all rise together.

Receipt & Receive Update

February’s Receipt & Receive program surpassed every goal we set during Black History Month. Starting with a target of $45,000, we had to raise the bar twice as the community’s support kept growing. By the end of February, Seattle showed up in force, uploading receipts totaling an incredible $57,954 from local Black-owned businesses. With our hometown teams – the Storm, Sounders FC, Reign, Seahawks, Mariners, and Kraken – rallying behind the cause, customers flocked to spots like Bonhomie Coffee Bar, Pizza By Ruffin, and Boon Boona Coffee – the top three businesses with the most receipts uploaded. This wasn’t just about hitting numbers – it was about creating real impact where it matters most: in our local Black-owned business community. When we say Seattle knows how to #SpendLikeItMatters, we mean it.

The Small Business Leaderboard:

Bonhomie Coffee Bar
Pizza By Ruffin
Boon Boona Coffee
Lockspot Cafe
The Station
Coven Salon
The Postman
Metier Brewing / Love Lurra / Swagg-n-Wagon (3-way tie)
Umami Kushi / Central Cafe & Juice Bar (2-way tie)
Facet Modern Mercantile

Congratulations to the following Intentional Spenders who uploaded their receipts and are the recipients of prizes from our sports teams!

Allen uploaded a receipt from The Postman and is the winner of a prize from the Seahawks!
Anna uploaded a receipt from Citrine Design Shop and is the winner of a prize from the Kraken!
Makenna uploaded a receipt from Pizza by Ruffin and is the winner of a prize from the Mariners!
David uploaded a receipt from The Station and is a winner of a prize from the Reign!
Cory uploaded a receipt from Umami Kushi and is the winner of a prize from the Storm!
Sarah uploaded a receipt from Central Cafe & Juice Bar and is the winner of a prize from the Sounders!

15 New Black-Owned Businesses Added to the
Buy Black Card Network

We’re thrilled to share the growth of our Buy Black Card network with 15 new businesses joining our community of local Black-owned establishments. This growth means even more opportunities for cardholders to #SpendLikeItMatters throughout Greater Seattle. Thanks to BECU’s continued support in underwriting a 20% discount on the card, it’s more accessible than ever to make intentional spending choices that directly impact our local Black business community. The Buy Black Card isn’t just a discount program – it’s a year-round commitment to supporting the entrepreneurs who make our neighborhoods vibrant and unique.

Welcome to the following small businesses!

Swagg-n-Wagon
Pizza By Ruffin
Moe Vegan
Lil Red’s Takeout
Marjorie
The Rusty Goat
Lenox
WeRise Wines
Soul
Coven Salon
Brandywine Kitchen
Lockspot Coastal Coffee
Bonhomie Coffee Bar
Legion Sports Bar
Garden’s Gourmet

And congratulations to Karley W. who is the winner of our #BuyBlack Gift Box featuring items from QueenCare, Boon Boona, Simply Soulful, Noir Lux Candle Co., Love Lurra and Pinckney Cookie Co.

You can purchase a Buy Black Card to use at over 145 Black-owned businesses in Washington throughout the year. Thanks to BECU, you will enjoy a 20% discount off your purchase of a card – which means more money to spend at small businesses!

Small Business Spotlights

Our weekly Small Business Spotlight series introduced our community to four Black-owned small businesses:

Swagg-n-Wagon – Owners Cliff and Monique turned their food truck success into a Federal Way storefront, serving up mouthwatering fried chicken with their signature “Swagg Sauce,” alongside soul food favorites like collard greens and cornbread.
Love Lurra – Mother-daughter team Mesha and Karla craft natural bath and body products that started as a personal quest for clean ingredients in 2008. Their handmade body butters and soaps have grown from a family recipe to a trusted solution for various skin conditions.
Bonhomie Coffee Bar – This Black and queer-owned mobile café, run by Michelle and Victoria Dean, brings Haitian-inspired coffee culture to South Lake Union, featuring authentic Haitian beans and house-made syrups in their plant-based drinks.
Flora & Fauna– Ashley’s Pioneer Square shop uniquely combines indoor plants, vinyl records, and eco-friendly products, creating a sustainable haven that brings the community together through special events like Plant Nights.

Together Candle Collaboration Launch

A highlight of our Black History Month initiatives was the launch of the “Together” Candle, a powerful collaboration between three Black women-owned businesses. This limited-edition piece featured striking artwork by Jessie Lipscomb that captured the spirit of community connection, was expertly crafted by Noir Lux Candle Co., and was exclusively sold at The Postman in Seattle’s Central District. Priced at $14, the candle represented more than just a beautiful home accent – it embodied Black excellence and community solidarity. The Postman’s unique position as both retailer and shipping service provider offered customers the opportunity to spread warmth literally and figuratively, allowing them to ship these meaningful pieces directly to loved ones. This three-way partnership exemplified the power of collaboration within our local Black business community.

Special thanks to our f riends at Converge Media for highlighting the collaboration!

BECU’s Equity in Action: It’s On Us Campaign

A special thank you goes to BECU’s Office of Equity and Inclusion for sponsoring the Equity in Action: It’s on Us initiative throughout Black History Month. Their commitment to addressing social and racial inequities took a delicious form as they picked up the tab for treats at participating Black-owned businesses across the region. Through this program, community members could simply sign up for an Intentionalist account, visit their favorite local spots, and enjoy complimentary items courtesy of BECU. This creative approach to supporting Black-owned businesses not only provided a financial boost to local entrepreneurs but also introduced new customers to these wonderful establishments.

Intentionalist in the Community

We were proud to support two great community events during Black History Month. The Soul of Seattle at Block 41 brought together the city’s Black food and beverage community for a night of amazing food that helped raise money for local youth programs. We also teamed up with the Seahawks for a special happy hour at Legion Sports Bar in Bellevue, where fans got to enjoy free appetizers like Southern Fried Catfish Nuggets and Steak Bites while hanging out with Seahawks legends like Marcus Trufant. Both events showed what’s possible when our community comes together to support local Black-owned businesses.

Artist Spotlight

We’d like to thank local artist Jessie Lipscomb (@mommalipsdraws) for this month’s artwork. Here is her artist statement:

“Initially, my intention was to illustrate Brown hands exchanging money in different ways. But after speaking more with Intentionalist about possible future uses of the design, I decided to remove the money aspect & focus more on the themes of camaraderie & togetherness. Yes, we want money to stay in rotation with minority-owned and small businesses, but it’s also about the support amongst us that is the foundation.” – Jessie Lipscomb

Support Black-Owned Year Round

Supporting Black-owned businesses isn’t just a month-long commitment – it’s a year-round opportunity to strengthen our neighborhoods and create lasting economic impact. Keep that energy going and continue to #SpendLikeItMatters. After all, the strongest communities are built one intentional purchase at a time, and we’re already excited to see what we’ll accomplish together in 2026.