Throughout the years, QTPOC-owned businesses in Oakland and across the country have served as a safe space for intersectional activists, leaders, and community members.
Whether you’re an Oakland local or you’re planning a trip to the Bay Area, #SpendWithPride at these 10 QTPOC-owned Oakland-area small businesses and organizations. And, be sure to explore all 40+ Oakland businesses on Intentionalist.
Alkali Rye
#LGBTQOwned #AsianOwned #WomanOwned
In 2020 Jessica Moncada-Konte and Kori Saika Chen, two lifelong Oakland residents and friends, opened Alkali Rye – Oakland’s Beverage Shop. Their goal is to provide Oakland with a warm and welcoming space that highlights underrepresented talent. The shop is built on the core values of empathy towards others and a passion for their craft. At Alkali you can find a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from wine, beer, coffee, tea, and more.
Bonus: You can also shop Alkali Rye’s collection of Jessica and Kori’s favorite drinkware.
Beauty Botanica
#LGBTQOwned #LatinoOwned #WomanOwned
Olivia Bianco-Chaidez opened Beauty Botanica to serve and support Oakland’s queer community. Not only did Olivia open a hair salon, she created a safe space for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals to be themselves and get a haircut that feels authentic. She is a talented colorist and stylist, and her salon offers cuts, colors, extensions, and more.
Brenda’s
#LGBTQOwned #AsianOwned #FamilyOwned #WomanOwned
Brenda’s brings the flavor of The Big Easy right to Oakland. Owners and culinary power-couple Brenda Buenviaje and Libby Truesdell opened the fast-casual cafe in 2018. They wanted to bring their beloved crawfish beignets and other Creole dishes from their restaurants in San Francisco to the Oakland community. Inside the restaurant, you’ll instantly be greeted by a mural of celery, bell peppers, and onion (the holy trinity of New Orleans) and you can even pick up on some New Orleans slang — like “lagniappe” which means a little something extra. Next time you’re in Temescal, try Brenda’s stuffed beignets, award-winning fried chicken, famous cream biscuits, and don’t forget to laissez les bons temps rouler (let the good times roll)!
Cafe Gabriela
#LGBTQOwned #AsianOwned
In 2010, Cafe Gabriela was founded by Penny Baldado, a formerly undocumented, queer immigrant from the Philippines. The neighborhood coffee shop and espresso bar serves local products, including espresso beans roasted a few blocks from Penny’s cafe and fresh pastries from nearby bakeries. Cafe Gabriela is committed to building with the community. Through the delicious food, coffee, and socially relevant art on the walls, they provide a safe and welcoming space for their staff and customers.
Bonus: Cafe Gabriela is named after a famous Filipina heroine, Gabriela Silang, who led a revolt against the Spanish colonizers, Gabriela Silang.
Feelmore
#LGBTQOwned #BlackOwned
Nenna Joiner is doing their best to remove stigmas and educate people about sex and sex shops through their shop, Feelmore. Opened in 2010, Feelmore is more than just a sex shop and Nenna does their best to both carry the products their clients are searching for and to carry products no one else has. The selection and shop are incredible, but the customer service is even better.
Bonus: Feelmore also has a location in Berkeley.
Lion Dance Cafe
#LGBTQOwned #AsianOwned #FamilyOwned #WomanOwned
Chefs and partners CY Chia and Shane Stanbridge want to elicit excitement in their diners and provide extra comfort for those seeking home away from home. At Lion Dance Cafe they do so with flavors from their Teochew Singaporean family recipes and nostalgic favorites, from laksa to maitake goreng. Stop by Lion Dance Cafe for incredible food made by incredible people.
Fun-fact: A lion dance is a traditional Chinese art form meant to bring good luck to its audience.
Moments Cooperative and Community Space
#LGBTQOwned #AsianOwned #BlackOwned #LatinoOwned #WomanOwned
Moments Cooperative & Community space was founded in 202 to provide queer and trans people of color (QTPOC) with physical space for community care, collaboration, and education. In 2021, Moments expanded to offer support through paid residencies programs to QTPOC artists and writers, as well as mutual aid programs like a community fridge.
Current co-op members Samantha Maria Espinoza, Tara Cuyos Marsden, Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, Sophia Rocha, and Danielle Hirokane, are artists, activists, abolitionists, and educators. As well as maintaining the community space and residency programs, the co-op’s members have cultivated a selection of new and used books prioritizing Black, Indigenous, people of color, and QTPOC authors, writers, and stories.
Radically Fit
#LGBTQOwned #LatinoOwned
Luca Page fell in love with fitness after it provided them a healthy outlet for dealing with the grief of losing a close friend. As a transgender person of color who doesn’t fit the fitness industry’s expectation of what a trainer “should” look like they dealt with body shaming. They found their place in queer fitness communities, and created their own at Radically Fit, a body positive gym for all queer and trans people of color and their allies, regardless of ability.
At Radically Fit, Luca and their team of QTPOC and LGBTQ+ trainers offer classes, like BBQ – Black, Brown, and Queer and Trans/Gender Non-Conforming Mind-Body Alignment.
Super Juiced
#LGBTQOwned #BlackOwned
Oakland juice spot, Super Juiced, is rooted in the principle belief that it is a human right to have access to healthy food options. In 2012, co-owners Emanne Desouky and Rana Halpern noticed a void in their community when it came to nutrient-dense grocery options, and began hosting pop-ups to sell fresh, healthy juices. Their success led them to open a brick-and-mortar location in 2015, offering more food and drink options like breakfast items, nut-based milk, and produce. As their team expands, Super Juiced is dedicated to hiring and empowering queer youth of color. If you are on the go and need something quick that will soothe both the body and mind, Super Juiced is the way to go!
The Port Bar
#LGBTQOwned #LatinoOwned
Richard Fuentes and Sean Sullivan created The Port Bar to be a place where Oakland’s diverse LGBTQ+ community can have fun and enjoy one gay drink at a time. At their space, which is located in the heart of Oakland, you’ll find this industrial yet elegant bar that reflects its city’s vibrance.
If engaging staff and well-crafted drinks aren’t enough to peak your interest, The Port hosts live entertainment ranging from drag shows and karaoke to cabaret at their lounge The BackSide. The BackSide is also available for private events.
Pro-tip: Check out their permanent art installation that reflects six LGBTQ+ leaders and six Bay Area artists of color.
Are we missing your favorite QTPOC-owned businesses in Oakland or beyond? Suggest it here, and we’ll get it added!