Through platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, many Black entrepreneurs have been able to reach a broader audience, share their stories and connect with customers in meaningful ways. Influencers, viral challenges and hashtags like #SupportBlackBusinesses have widened their presence, helping them succeed in a competitive market. Beyond driving sales, social media plays a pivotal role in fostering a space where Black entrepreneurs can celebrate their heritage, showcase their products and engage in cultural conversations that go beyond business transactions.
In the heart of the concrete jungle, there’s a variety of Black-owned businesses across all boroughs of the city. By far my favorite Black-owned business is Sister’s Uptown bookstore, an indie bookstore and community hub spotlighting a range of titles and events by and about African Americans. Located in Washington Heights, Sister’s Uptown is more than just a bookstore; it serves as a cultural space where members of the Black community engage in discussion about a myriad of topics and where the exchange of information and ideas takes place. According to their website, their motto is “Knowledge is the key to understanding.” Within the store, you’ll be amazed at the many books you can find ranging from works of gifted African American authors to intellectuals and scholars who have actively contributed to discussions on history, culture, social justice and identity. The store fosters a sense of belonging and serves as an educational space where individuals can immerse themselves in the works of Black authors, thinkers and creatives.
New York City is also home to many other remarkable Black-owned businesses that contribute to the vibrant cultural atmosphere that makes up its essence. Harlem Hops, for example, is a craft beer bar that specializes in beer from Black and minority-owned breweries, offering a unique experience for those who appreciate high-quality brews. Harlem Hops is, in fact, Manhattan’s first 100% African American-owned local craft beer business.
Another Black-owned business, Fieldtrip, founded by Chef JJ Johnson, is a rice bowl eatery in Harlem that focuses on sustainability and global flavors, bringing communities together over food that tells a story. The business came to life out of Chef Johnson’s realization that “rice connects us all and can be found at the center of the table across the world”. FieldTrip is essentially a top-niche and very well-rated community-focused rice bowl shop that celebrates culture and the shared experience of rice.
The Lit. Bar in the Bronx is another beloved space, combining a bookstore and a wine bar to create an inviting environment where literature and conversation intersect. Noëlle Santos, Bronx native and current resident, was among over 3,000 protesters who saved the only existing bookstore in the borough, Barnes & Noble, from displacement. This effort by Bronx readers motivated property owners to extend the store’s lease through 2016; however, the future of Barnes & Noble’s Bay Plaza location beyond this year was uncertain. Santos decided to take the initiative to create the bookshop as she recognized the opportunity to create a sustainable, more accessible bookshop that addressed the shortcomings of big-box stores, reflecting and serving the unique needs of the communities in which they operate.
Restaurants like Melba’s in Harlem have also become cornerstones of the community. Melba’s offers traditional soul food with a modern twist and maintains the legacy of Black culinary traditions with the purpose of “nurturing and providing an exquisite yet comfortable dining experience to the community that raised her.”
One of the biggest challenges that Black-owned businesses face is the tendency for support to peak during Black History Month and then gradually decline throughout the rest of the year. While it is imperative to uplift and celebrate these businesses in February, it is even more essential to ensure that the support is maintained year-round. Anyone can contribute to these businesses by choosing to regularly shop at Black-owned establishments, rather than seeing it as a temporary trend. Additionally, advocating for policies that provide resources and funding for Black entrepreneurs is crucial for ensuring their long-term success.
It’s important that Black-owned businesses have continuous support from the general public. While social media has made it easier for Black-owned businesses to be known, real change happens when consumers make an effort to integrate them into their daily lives. As New York City continues to evolve, Black-owned businesses will remain essential to its identity, contributing to its economic strength and cultural richness in ways that benefit the entire community. These businesses provide platforms for Black voices to be heard and for their heritage to not be forgotten, thereby strengthening the ties between members of the community in the past and the present.
