We are excited to spotlight thriving Black-owned businesses in our communities! These businesses, owned and operated by talented and ambitious individuals, specialize in a variety of industries and they are a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the Black community.
ATLANTA:
Shai Dawnn Photography
Founder Shai Dawnn found her love of photography after impulsively purchasing a Canon camera. Now, six years later, she is a self-taught photographer with her own studio! Shai specializes in portraits and wedding photography.
SheDoGraphics
Founded in 2005 by Yolanda Williams, a graphic and technical design master, SheDoGraphics specializes in bringing small business visions to life through outstanding graphic design and installment services. SDG works with each client to identify business objectives, create strategies, and implement them with a range of design advertising, branding, and marketing projects.
Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ
Rodney Scott has been cooking whole-hog barbecue, over wood coals burned down from hardwood, since he was in middle school. In the summer of 2021, Rodney opened the third location of his restaurant in Atlanta. His unique cooking technique imparts a very unique flavor to the meats the restaurant is known for.
The Mural Walk
Founder, educator, history buff, and art enthusiast, Andrea McEachron, founded The Mural Walk to share her love of art with the world. The walk allows participants to get an up-close view of the history of Atlanta and browse the murals along the way. Participants will walk through the beautiful campuses of Atlanta University Centers, the Atlanta Beltline, the WestEnd (one of the oldest historic neighborhoods outside of Downtown Atlanta), and Reynoldstown (one of the first African American neighborhoods developed in Atlanta).
CHARLOTTE:
Leah & Louise
Leah & Louise, a modern juke joint, is the latest concept from James Beard-nominated Chef Greg Collier and business partner/wife Subrina Collier. The menu pays homage to the South and the ingredients that cultivate Black cuisine and culture.
Detour Coffeebar
Founded by Michael O’Neal Hargett, a former bookstore barista, Detour Coffeebar was created when Michael realized he wanted to blend his passion for people, community, and coffee into a business. Since 2019, Michael has been serving the Charlotte community offering a wide range of menu items.
The Brown Sugar Collab
Founded by DeAnna Allen, The Brown Sugar Collab was established to represent products that are handmade or developed by minority groups. Their unique inventory ranges from candles, body butter, skincare, and gifts/accessories.
Weathered Souls Brewing Co
Weathered Souls is Charlotte’s first Black-owned brewery. Co-founded by Marcus Baskerville, the brewery is known for more than just its great beer. Known for his extensive work in diversity and inclusion, Marcus focuses on uplifting and highlighting Black excellence within the Charlotte community. Their food menu is carefully curated in collaboration with Greg Collier from Leah & Louise who uses ingredients to create dishes true to Black cuisine and culture.
CHICAGO:
Semicolon Bookstore
Founded by Danielle Mullen, Semicolon is the only Black- and woman-owned bookstore and gallery space in the city of Chicago. They are committed to having a direct impact on raising literacy rates in Chicago and beyond. The bookstore’s #ClearTheShelves initiative allows Chicago Public School students to take home books that inspire them for free every month.
Black Ensemble Theater
Founded by Chicago native, Jackie Wright, Black Ensemble Theater provides educational outreach, black playwright development, and community access programs all of which are crucial to its mission. Black Ensemble Theater is also recognized as one of the most diverse theaters in the country, producing excellent musical theater.
Chicago Mahogany Tours
Founded by Chicago historian, Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, this company came to life after his videos on TikTok (60-second history videos on everything Chicago) were viewed over 8 million times. Through the power of storytelling, Dilla is helping to change the narrative locally and nationally about Chicago’s value to the world. The tours take guests to predominantly Black neighborhoods on Chicago’s South Side, specifically the DuSable Museum of African American History, the Wabash YMCA (the birthplace of Black History Month), childhood homes of iconic Black Chicagoans, Pilgrim Baptist Church (the birthplace of gospel music) and so much more.
Justice of the Pies
Maya-Camille Broussard established Justice of the Pies in honor of her late father, Stephen J. Broussard. Steve, who was a criminal defense attorney. Formed as an L3C, Justice of the Pies considers itself to be a social mission in a culinary art form. The bakery activates its signature I KNEAD LOVE Workshop several times a year. The one-day workshop provides elementary-aged children from lower-income communities instruction on nutritional development, acquiring basic cooking skills, and encouraging creativity in the kitchen. The primary goal of this program is to contribute to efforts in ending food insecurities.
DALLAS:
Soiree Coffee Bar
Founded by Clive and LaFree Ryan, this small business was formed out of the need to be a beacon of light to the Black community in the wake of tragedy and social tensions They make it a point to consistently use Black vendors for their delectable food and beverage options. This gives them the opportunity to uphold their values of supporting the community and pushing excellence while contributing to Black economics simultaneously.
Addie Rawr Stationary
Founded by Adrienne Randle, Addie Rawr is a Black-owned stationery and gift shop that focuses on positive and representative products for Black Women. They strive to bring inclusive and representative art into the practice of gift-giving.
Hotel Dryce
Co-founded by Jonathan Morris and Allen Mederos, Hotel Dryce is a locally-owned boutique hotel that strives to provide visitors with a very authentic version of what Fort Worth is. They partnered with the art gallery, Art Tooth, to exhibit works from local BIPOC artists throughout the space.
The Dock Bookshop
Founded by sisters Donya and Donna Craddock, the bookshop is one the largest African-American-owned full-service bookstore in Texas. Their mission is to inspire, inform, and entertain their customers through books and book-related events in a relaxing and spacious environment. The Dock Bookshop regularly hosts author talks, poetry and spoken-word sessions, story time for children, panel discussions, community meetings, film screenings, and more.