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5 Easy Ways to Support Black-Owned Businesses

Amelia Keeling, a woman with long braids, sets a plate of food down at a table. Chuck D sits on the left side wearing a black cap with the letter "D" embroidered on it. Roy Choi sits to the right wearing a black beanie. The table is in an outdoor dining location with a green neon light illuminating the scene.
Amelia Keeling of Simply Wholesome serves a platter to Chuck D and Roy Choi at Simply Wholesome's location on Slauson Avenue. | Stephen Vanasco
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At least 90,000 restaurants nationwide shuttered during the pandemic, a trend that has disproportionately affected Black-owned establishments. In Los Angeles, Black restaurants have a history of contributing to their surrounding communities both socially and economically. They provide jobs to community members, serve as gathering places and also take part in civic and political events. In short, keeping their doors open has the potential to benefit entire neighborhoods.

Want African American-owned restaurants in Southern California to thrive during the pandemic and beyond? You can take a number of actionable steps to lend your support.

Roy meets Leimert Park residents using food to counteract gentrification in this episode of "Broken Bread," "Owning the Block." Watch the episode.
Owning the Block

Find Black Restaurants and Support Them

Sharon Williams-Norwood, left, wears a head scarf around her hair and a vibrant printed top. Six Sev, right, wears a white cap and a black long sleeve shirt. The two are posing for a photo, looking direct to camera. Six Sev holds up a peace sign.
Co-owner and founder of Nappily Naturals & Apothecary Sharon Williams-Norwood, left, artist and entrepreneur Six Sev, right, at the Nappily Naturals store in Leimert Park. | Terry Smith

While Black restaurants are concentrated in South Los Angeles, you can find them all over the metropolitan L.A. area — from Downtown L.A. to Long Beach and Pasadena. The key is to identify Black restaurants in your community and patronize them. You can get started by using apps such as EatOkra, which connects users to more than 350,000 Black-owned restaurants, eateries and food trucks across the country. Narrow your search on the app to L.A.-based restaurants only. You can also find Black-owned restaurants by using directories assembled by Black Restaurant Week and the Black Restaurant Coalition of Los Angeles.

Take Part in Black Restaurant Week

Chef Sharde Whitt is wearing a denim apron over a black tank top. A black cap over her head reads, "Leimert Park Village" in white embroidery and she's wearing big hoops. Her hand is resting on a handle by the food truck door and she smiles at someone out of frame.
Chef Sharde Whitt of Voodoo Vegan at her food truck parked in Leimert Park. | Still from "Broken Bread" episode 5, "Owning the Block"

Black restaurant weeks take place all over the country during different times of the year to highlight the contributions, cuisine and offerings of Black-owned restaurants. In Los Angeles, this event has been held in August. Founded by trio Warren Luckett, Falayn Ferrell and Derek Robinson, the week draws attention to Black-owned restaurants, both from the press and from members of the public who want to experience the African American cuisine scene. During the week, play Black Restaurant Week Bingo for cash prizes and gift cards, but you have to eat at multiple eateries to get BINGO. By dining in, ordering delivery or takeout at any of the participating restaurants, you help Black food establishments thrive.

Support Feed the Soul Foundation

A young Black man wearing a cap sits at a sewing machine and works on a garment.
A young Black man wearing a cap sits at a sewing machine and works on a garment.
1/3 A designer works on a garment at the Sole Folks cooperative creative retail space in Leimert Park. Apart from the Feed the Soul Foundation, other organizations in and around Los Angeles are doing the work of cultivating Black entrepreneurship. Sole Folks offers space, resources, tools, mentorship, equipment and more for young Black designers in L.A. | Still from "Broken Bread," episode 5, "Owning the Block"
A man holds up a black bomber jacket, showcasing the design on the jacket's back. In red and yellow embroidery is the words, "Sole Folks" in strong block text. Below it the words, "Leimert Park" are embroidered in a slightly lighter weighted font.
A man holds up a black bomber jacket, showcasing the design on the jacket's back. In red and yellow embroidery is the words, "Sole Folks" in strong block text. Below it the words, "Leimert Park" are embroidered in a slightly lighter weighted font.
2/3 Sole Folks in Leimert Park curates collections that encompass contemporary and future brands from Black creatives. | Still from "Broken Bread," episode 5, "Owning the Block"
Akil West leans on a counter top and smiles at something out of frame. He's wearing a graphic white long sleeve shirt and a gray head accessory. To the left is Ferris Mason, wearing a bright green tank top with text that reads, "Abundance over everything."
Akil West leans on a counter top and smiles at something out of frame. He's wearing a graphic white long sleeve shirt and a gray head accessory. To the left is Ferris Mason, wearing a bright green tank top with text that reads, "Abundance over everything."
3/3 Akil West, co-founder and CEO of Sole Folks, sits inside Sole Folks' cooperative space for Black creatives to use for creating and working at no cost. To his left is Ferris Mason, brand manager of Sole Folks. | Still from "Broken Bread," episode 5, "Owning the Block"

Black Restaurant Week is more than a food fest, it is also a platform for education especially among Black business owners. It has featured panel discussions about the the barriers to success Black restaurateurs face and how to remove obstacles such as a lack of access to business loans. Its founders have taken action by launching the Feed the Soul Foundation in 2020. The nonprofit will distribute annual development grants of $10,000 to 25 Black food entrepreneurs and businesses. The grantees also receive financial-literacy and marketing training as well as a six-month consultation program in which they can receive help on everything, including consultations on the menu. Support Feed the Soul with a donation of money or with your time and expertise if you have a consulting background. Contact the organization about specifically sending help to Los Angeles-area restaurants.

Subscribe to the Black Restaurant Coalition of Los Angeles' Newsletter

A storefront sign reads, "Yes we're open & yes we're Black-owned."
A sign posted on a window at Simply Wholesome on Slauson Avenue. | Still from "Broken Bread," episode 5, "Owning the Block"

Made up of restaurant advocates, food industry professionals and small business owners to promote and support L.A.'s Black restaurants, the Black Restaurant Coalition of Los Angeles popularized the hashtag #DineBlackLA, encouraging Angelenos to go to Black-owned food establishments. By subscribing to the newsletter, you can learn directly from food industry insiders about the needs and concerns of Black restaurateurs. Amplify their message by sharing what you learn on social media. The newsletter might highlight new legislation that would support restaurant owners or policies and procedures that might be harmful to these professionals. You might also hear about restaurants that have received honors and awards or otherwise distinguished themselves.

Show Your Support on Social Media

Three tacos filled with grilled broccoli, black beans, avocado, lettuce and tomatoes sit on a wooden serving platter. On the side are two small bowls, one holding salsa and the other guacamole. The entire platter is set on a black tablecloth.
Three tacos filled with grilled broccoli, black beans, avocado, lettuce and tomatoes sit on a wooden serving platter. On the side are two small bowls, one holding salsa and the other guacamole. The entire platter is set on a black tablecloth.
1/3 Khalifa's tacos — three soft shell tacos filled with grilled broccoli, black beans, avocado, lettuce and tomatoes — served at Simply Wholesome. | Stephen Vanasco
Three bowls sit on a black woven placemat. The bowl to the left is filled with black beans toped with sliced grilled okra. The bowl on the bottom right is filled with collared greens and the bowl at the top right is filled with mac 'n' cheese topped with microgreens.
Three bowls sit on a black woven placemat. The bowl to the left is filled with black beans toped with sliced grilled okra. The bowl on the bottom right is filled with collared greens and the bowl at the top right is filled with mac 'n' cheese topped with microgreens.
2/3 Side dishes served at Simply Wholesome. From left to right, black beans topped with grilled okra, collared greens and macaroni and cheese. | Stephen Vanasco
Three fried hockey puck-shaped vegan crab cakes plated on a long and narrow ceramic dish. Each crab cake sits on a bit of an orange sauce and is topped with chopped cilantro.
Three fried hockey puck-shaped vegan crab cakes plated on a long and narrow ceramic dish. Each crab cake sits on a bit of an orange sauce and is topped with chopped cilantro.
3/3 Vegan crab cakes served at Simply Wholesome. | Stephen Vanasco

Other than buying meals from a restaurant, one of the biggest ways to support a food establishment is to follow it on social media, according to Chef Sharde Whitt of Voodoo Vegan. "Follow us on Instagram and share our posts," she said. "People take for granted the power of social media, but social media goes a long, long way." In addition to following restaurants on social media, Whitt said that patrons should take photos of the food served and tag the restaurant in the post. "I always take pictures of my meal, even if I forget halfway through," she said. "Anything that gets us recognition, every little bit, helps."

Go to the Crenshaw Farmers' Market at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza

You'll not only find locally grown fresh produce at the Crenshaw Farmer's Market, a recurring Saturday event, but also spices, sprouts, breads, nuts and baked goods. The market also hosts monthly events such as cooking demonstrations and tastings. In addition to directly putting your money into the hands of Black vendors, you can make a donation to Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles, the group that organizes the farmers' market. Similarly, you can attend the Leimert Park African Marketplace to support a variety of Black vendors.

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