Historical Black-owned Small Businesses

Black-owned small businesses have historically been essential in many ways — they’ve served as cultural hubs, meeting places for activism, family gathering spaces, and have played vital roles during the civil rights movement and beyond.  From 1900 to 1930, Black-owned businesses in the U.S. grew by the thousands. Jim Crow laws forced...
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  • February 16, 2022
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Business Spotlight: Gold Coast Ghal Kitchen

Meet Tina Fahnbulleh, the owner of catering company and pop-up Gold Coast Ghal Kitchen. Tina founded her catering company when she moved to Seattle in 2016 and saw the city’s lack of West African cuisine. Born in Liberia and raised in Ghana, Tina's love for food and cooking stemmed from spending time with her maternal grandmother...
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  • February 8, 2022
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Business Spotlight: Makeda & Mingus

Meet Prashanthi Reddy, the owner of Makeda & Mingus in Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood. Prashanthi opened her cafe in 2008 and has been a beloved destination and community-first space for excellent coffee, beer, wine, sandwiches, and locally-made baked goods. The shop's name comes from the Queen of Sheba (Makeda) and Prashanthi’s rat...
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  • January 25, 2022
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Business Spotlight: SpoonFed Training

Meet LaTaunya Witherspoon, owner of SpoonFed Training in Renton, WA. LaTaunya, a former track and field athlete, has always had a passion for supporting others on their journeys towards healthier lifestyles. In 2022, LaTaunya hopes to mentor a young woman on how to run a business to share the knowledge she has gained and the community she has...
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  • January 18, 2022
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Business Spotlight: Bellden Café

Meet Claire Sumadiwirya, the owner of Bellden Café in Bellevue, WA. More than a neighborhood coffee shop, Bellden gives back to the community every day by donating leftover pastries, incorporating rotating charity items on the menu, staff volunteerism, and offering items for sale by local makers. The cafe's origin story began when...
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  • January 11, 2022
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Business Spotlight: Warrior Wellness

Meet Lisa Hernandez, licensed massage therapist and owner of Warrior Wellness in Lower Queen Anne in Seattle. As a single mother, Lisa graduated massage school two weeks before lockdown last March 2020. She said going back to school and only being able to work part time was one of the most difficult things she's done, but she knew she wanted to...
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  • December 28, 2021
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Business Spotlight: Lulumiére

Meet Linda Takano, the owner of Lulumiére in Seattle’s University District. Linda opened Lulumiére’s brick and mortar in October 2021, but she’s been running her hand-poured soy wax candle and shower steamer business since 2013. Scent has always been an important part of Linda’s life, and she loves the...
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  • December 21, 2021
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