According to the US Census Bureau, only about 10% of US businesses are Black owned. And, unfortunately, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, minority owned businesses were disproportionately affected, resulting in over 40% of Black-owned businesses closing. Black entrepreneurship in America has a rich history and strong ties to the overall economic impact of African-American communities, and businesses owned by BIPOC are crucial to growing the economy. If you are looking for an impactful way to celebrate Black History Month, show solidarity with Black entrepreneurs by supporting Black-owned businesses this month and beyond.
Supporting Black-owned businesses doesn’t just contribute to creating entrepreneurial opportunities (thus fueling economic prosperity), Black businesses are more likely to hire Black workers, which positively impacts the disparity among broader community wealth and opportunity.
Supporting Black-owned businesses acknowledges the wealth gap by creating a path for establishing sustained, multi-generational wealth in the Black community. It also celebrates Black culture.
Below is a comprehensive list of Black-owned businesses in Greater Cincinnati, including Food + Drink, Retail, and Wellness.
FOOD + DRINK
RESTAURANTS
6 ’N the Mornin’ (Kenwood)
Southern-style breakfast restaurant
6inthemornin.com
221 Restaurant Westwood
Senegalese cuisine
Website
Agape Cafe Madisonville
American cafe serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner
agapecafeoh.com
The Aperture Coming to Walnut Hills in summer 2023
Mediterranean, Levantine, and American south influences
theaperturecinci.com
Big Jay’s Place Finneytown
Catering, soul food, Caribbean
Facebook
Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey Union
Contemporary take on classic American frontier food
boomtownbiscuitsandwhiskey.com
Burnett’s Soul Food Walnut Hills
Soul food
Menu
Conscious Kitchen Corryville [temporarily closed]
Vegan and health food restaurant
consciouskitchen.org
COPA Lounge OTR
Nightclub with Sunday brunch
Facebook
Crown’s Kitchen Cheviot
Wings, sandwiches, soul food
Menu
Darou Salam Northside
African Halal and Senegalese cuisine
Menu
Divine Appetite Cafe West Chester
African food—everything from Waakye to Jollof Rice
Website
Elephant Walk Corryville
Indian and Ethiopian cuisine
elephantwalkcincy.com
Emma’s All In One Occasions Westwood
Soul food, breakfast, and catering
Facebook
Essen Kitchen OTR
Plant-based food, vegan; breakfast, lunch, and dinner
essenkitchen.com
Express Wings Roselawn
Chicken wings, sandwiches, seafood
Menu
Gee’s Caribbean Style Groesbeck
Fresh, authentic Caribbean cuisine
Facebook
Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant Westwood
Ethiopian and Eritrean dishes
Menu
Island Frydays Corryville
Jamaican cuisine
islandfrydays.com
Pickup window available
K&J Seafood Bond Hill
Louisiana-style fresh seafood
kjseafood.com
Katch the Kitchen Northside
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
ktkrestaurant.com
Maize OTR
Venezuelen and Latin American comfort food
maizeotr.com
Mango’s Tropical Oasis Fairfield
Sports bar and grill
Facebook
Millie’s Place Madisonville
Southern, soul food, diner
Menu
Mz. Jade’s Soul Food Middletown
Fresh, homemade southern dishes
mzjadessoulfood.com
Nolia Kitchen OTR
Classic southern flavors and unconventional twists on familiar staples
noliakitchen.com
Ollie’s Trolley West End
Burgers, ribs, and other southern dishes
Facebook
Park Place Restaurant Forest Park
American restaurant and lounge
Facebook
Rasheedah’s Cafe College Hill
Soul food and halal meats since 1993
rasheedahscafe.com
Richie’s Avondale, Bond Hill, Colerain, West End
Soul food featuring spicy fried chicken, deep fried fish, rib tips, and classic soul food sides and desserts
richieschicken.com
SeneGrill West Chester
Senegalese and American fusion
senegrill.com
Teranga Restaurant Hartwell
African and American fusion
terangacinci.com
Wing Champ Sharonville
Wings, ribs, ice cream, and events
originalwingchamp.com
BBQ
Alabama Que Corryville
alabama-q.com
Benin’s BBQ & Steak Westwood
bbqnsteak.com
C&M BBQ Grill Kennedy Heights
Caribbean BBQ
cmbbqgrill.com
Goodies Mt. Healthy
Southern BBQ
Facebook
Ike’s BBQ Evanston, Silverton
Facebook
J & W Bar-B-Que Walnut Hills
Facebook
Just Cooking BBQ Bond Hill
justcookingbbq.com
Just Q’in Walnut Hills
justqin.com
Dine in, carryout, catering
Midwest Best BBQ and Creamery Loveland
midwestbestbbq.com
Lunch, dinner, catering
COFFEE SHOPS
BlaCk Coffee Lounge Central Business District
Coffee, sandwiches, pastries, pressed juice
Facebook
Cream+Sugar Coffeehouse Evanston
Hot and cold coffee drinks, and light bites
creamandsugarcoffeehouse.com
Catering available
Drip Coffee Lounge Camp Washington
Coffee bar serving locally roasted specialty coffee, plus a unique selection of mixed drinks and quick bites
dripcoffeelounge.com
Muse Cafe Westwood
Coffee, fine wine, jazz, sandwiches, cheese plates, and salads
musecafecincy.com
Sunny Blu Coffeehouse OTR
Coffee drinks, light bites, and ice cream
sunnyblucoffee.com
BARS AND DRINKERIES
Danyelle’s Bellevue Tavern Bellevue
Bar and tavern
danyelles.com
Esoteric Brewing Company Walnut Hills
Brewery with Decibel Korean-fried Chicken onsite
esotericbrewing.com
Kombuchinnati
Non-alcoholic, probiotic kombucha
Website and where to buy
Newport Ultra Lounge Newport
Dance club with craft beer and cocktails
Facebook
Nostalgia Wine and Jazz Lounge OTR
Facebook page
Revel OTR Urban Winery OTR
revelotr.com
CATERING AND CHEF SERVICES
Afromeals OTR
Cooking classes and catering services, featuring African and Caribbean cuisine.
afromeals.com
Dada Smokes BBQ
Catering
dadasmokes.com
Eddie’s Southern Style BBQ
eddiesbarbque.com
The Passion Plate
Personal chef and caterer featuring everyday gourmet and boutique catering
thepassionplate.com
Soleil Kitchen
Personal chef and boutique catering company
soleilkitchen.com
Occasional pop-ups
Soul Secrets Catering Findlay Kitchen
Corporate catering
soulsecretscincy.com
Occasional pop-ups
Southern Grace Cincy
Breakfast, catering
southerngracecincy.com
FOOD TRUCKS AND TAKEOUT
AJ’s Cheesesteaks
Cheesesteaks, wings, fries
ajscheesesteak.com
Streetfood Finder
Best Thing Smokin’
BBQ and classic favorites
Facebook
BOL Acai Bowl Bar
bolonline.org
Streetfood Finder
Catering available
Burger World
Facebook
Streetfood Finder
Pata Roja Taqueria OTR
Mexico City-style street tacos
patarojatacos.com
Catering available
Smokin’ Inferno BBQ & Catering
Facebook
Triple J’s BBQ
thetriplejbarbq.com
Catering available
Turkeys R Us
Chicken, Turkey, pork, sandwiches, fries
turkeysrus.net
Catering available
Tip: Follow the truck on social media to get their schedule and to see where they will be next!
SWEETS
A Mother’s Touch Cakes virtual and pop-ups
Vegan, organic, sugar-free, and gluten-free desserts. Can be found weekly at Market Wagon, Black Coffee Lounge, Madeira Farmer’s Market, Ajani’s Gourmet Strawberries Sweet Boutique, and Findlay Market.
amotherstouchcakes.com
Aunt Flora’s Cobbler Pie Co Northbrook
Caterer and bakery specializing in cobbler pies, cakes, and Southern comfort food
aunt-flora.com
Cora’s Cakery online
Cupcakes, meringues, cake pops, sugar cookies, and more
corascakery.org
Davis Cookie Collection Bond Hill
Cookies, brownies, and other desserts
daviscookiecollection.com
Jazzy Sweeties Bakery Walnut Hills
jazzysweetiesbakery.com
Kishia’s Kakes
Website
Keys Cheesecake and Pies online
Facebook
Lala’s Blissful Bites Madisonville
lalasbliss.com
Makers Bakers Co. Findlay Market
Artisan cheesecakes, handmade cakes and pies, and other bakery items
makersbakersco.com
Maya’s Bakes pop-ups, Findlay Market
Cookies and other goodies
mayasbakes.com
Catering available
Sugar OTR
Cookies, cakes, weddings, catering, and more
sugarcincinnati.com
Sweet Jazz Treats Lockland
Cake pops, brownies, cakes, cupcakes, pies, party platters, dessert jars
sweetjazztreats.com
Sweet Mae’s Cookie Co.
Stuffed cookies with a thick southern accent
sweetmaescookies.com
Available at regional Target stores and these locations
Sweet Petit Desserts Evanston
Cookies, cakes and pies, cheesecake, lemon bars, macarons, and more
sweetpetitdesserts.com
Pre-orders only; now available at Cream+Sugar Coffeehouse
Sweets by LaDawn Silverton
Wedding cakes and more
Facebook
RETAIL+
Alexis Nickelle Co
Soy candles
alexisnickelleco.com
All Cheri’s Intriguing Crystals
Accessories, jewelry, and art
allcheri.com
Formerly Art by Autumn M
Alumni Ink virtual
Online apparel company
alumniink.com
am|PM Exchange
Women’s apparel and beauty products
ampm.exchange
Art on Vine
Monthly market featuring fine art and handmade goods from dozens of artists throughout the Ohio region
artonvinecincy.com
Barcode Glam Montgomery
Beauty meets fashion
barcodeglam.com
BlaCk OWned Outerwear Central Business District
Apparel and accessories for men, women, and children
blackowned19xx.com
Blossoms Florist Reading
Full-service florist servicing Cincinnati for over 30 years
blossomsfloristinc.com
Brittney Kelley Brands
apparel and makeup
brittneykelley.com
The Confetti Room OTR
Event venue
confettiroomcincy.com
The Culture Locker
Provide a positive influence and discovery of black-owned businesses
theculturelocker.com
Curious Concoctions
Soaps, scrubs, body butters, candles, and more
curiousconcoctions.net
Detailed Days Events Design
Event planner
detaileddays.com
Diamyn’s Crystal Bar Pause Cincy (Corryville)
Crystals, jewelry, and sage
diamynscrystalbar.com
District 78 Pause Cincy (Corryville)
Luxury candles and lifestyle brand
bydistrict78.com
Everyday Black
Apparel
everydayblack.net
Fill More Waste Less
Refillable soaps, shampoo, cleaning products, and more
fillmorewasteless.com
Flora Lee Naturals
Plant-based skincare
floraleenaturals.com
Fly By Nature OTR
Apparel
flybynatureclothing.com
From the Sidewalk OTR
Creative hub of streetwear and culture; home of Jet Black Vintage
thesidewalkshop.com
Gee Horton
Hyper-realist visual artist
geehorton.com
Gingham & Glam
Fashion, jewelry, accessories
ginghamandglam.com
GO(O)D Co. OTR
Hats, accessories, and apparel for men, women, and children
goodcoapparel.com
Hard Ta Knock Shoppe Camp Washington
Apparel
Heads Up Trading Co. Camp Washington
Fair trade headbands, head wraps, and Guatemalan jewelry
headsuptc.com
HoopNerdz
Apparel for men, women, and children
thenerdzbrand.com
Hutch Baby OTR
Children’s boutique
hutchbaby.com
Jet Black Vintage OTR
Curated sustainable fashion
jetblackvintage.com
Junebug Jewelry Designs
Jewelry design
junebugjewelrydesigns.com
Legacy Genius
Black history trivia
legacygenius.com
Make.Do. Pleasant Ridge
Yarn, fabric, fibers, and classes
heymakedo.com
Matunda Juicery Pause Cincy (Corryville)
Smoothie and juice bar
Facebook
Me by Lee
Formal fashion boutique
mebylee.com
Minor Obsession
Vegan soap
minorobsession.co
Murelle’s Florist Central Business District
Website
Native Moon Apothecary Mt. Healthy
Alternative and holistic health
nativemoonherbals.com
Originalitees
Apparel and accessories for men, women, and children
originalitees.com
OTR Funplex OTR
Entertainment venue
otrfunplex.com
Pause Corryville
Health, wellness, and relaxation, made up of Diamyn’s Crystal Bar, District 78, and Matunda Juicery
Instagram
Peony Jean Boutique
Customizable clothing for the entire family
peonyjeanboutique.com
RaJean Beauty
Shea butter, sugar scrub, and men’s products
rajeanbeauty.com
Red’s Westside VenYou
Event space
redswestsidevenyou.com
RJS Fashion
Accessory design and styling
beyondfreshrjs.com
Ryan Nichole Studios
Visual artist and art educator
ryannicholestudios.com
Switch Central Business District
Lighting, furniture, and design
switchcollection.com
Touch of Heaven Floral Shoppe Mt. Healthy
Website
TIQUE by Victory Lane Boutique Springfield Twp
victorylaneboutique.com
The Voice of Your Customer Walnut Hills
HUBZone, MBE, WBE, DBE, SBE
Marketing consulting firm
thevoiceofyourcustomer.com
WELLNESS + FITNESS
1 More Rep Madisonville
Gym
1-more-rep.com
A Better You Counseling Springdale
Therapy practice specializing in treating individuals, couples, and families.
abetterucounseling.com
A Crystal Mind LLC Sharonville
Psychiatric and mental health practice. In-office and telehealth options available.
acrystalmind.com
A Ruth Creations virtual+
Artist and educator specializing in visual art and poetry.
annieruth.com
A Sound Mind Counseling Hartwell
Behavioral health practice providing therapy to people of all ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
asoundmindcounseling.com
Adrienne’s Love Fairfield
Postpartum products, services, and doulas.
adrienneslove.com
Art of Fitness North College Hill
Facebook
Cincinnati Muscle Therapy College Hill
cincinnatimuscletherapy.com
Curvy Cardio
Fitness
morganaowens.com
Fitness 1o1 Liberty Twp
Personalized group training
fitness1o1.com
Grind Shop Sports Performance Training Lockland
Fitness facility
grindshoptraining.com
If you ever have any questions about any of these businesses or need a custom recommendation specific to what you’re looking for, all you have to do is ask!
I would like to encourage you all to support Black-owned businesses and creators all month long (and beyond).
Go to the link in my bio for a list of Black-owned businesses in Cincinnati, including Food + Drink, Retail, and Wellness.
For more resources for and to support Black Cincinnati, follow:
@blackcincy
@cincy.cocoabloggers
@voiceblackcincy
@thecincinnatiaachamber
Written by: Linsey Kraeling – Woman, wife, and mother about town, proud millennial, and lifelong Cincinnatian with an invested interest in community involvement and having a full plate—literally and figuratively. Follow along with and read more about eating like a sophisticated six-year-old, supporting local, and acting like a tourist in her own city at instagram.com/linsinnati and tourdecincinnati.com.
Sources: census.gov, nationalgeographic.com