BY: TAINAYA NASH
Right here in D.C. we have a plethora of black businesses that you should be supporting, from restaurants, to hang-out spots, to beauty. Black owned businesses are a key part of the black community, and if we don't support them—who will?
There are a number of black owned businesses that you may or may not know about. Here are some that you must check out:
Places to Eat
Oohhs's & Aahh's
Oohh's & Aahh's is one of the go-to places in D.C. for soul food. They offer an array of food—from their award winning macaroni and cheese to their golden brown fried chicken. Oohh's and Aahh's is so good that it was even featured on The Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives," hosted by Guy Fieri and has been visited by countless celebrities.
Where: 1005 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
Price Range: $$
Website: http://oohhsnaahhs.com/
Po Boy Jim
If you love Po Boys then this is the place for you. Po Boy Jim specializes in all types of Po Boys such as the Atlas: fried or grilled chicken, bacon, provolone and shrimp served with chipotle sauce; and the Lobster MKT: butter poached whole lobster, sautéed and served with a savory wine butter sauce. They also offer other dishes such as Gumbo on H: andouille sausage, shrimp and chicken cooked creole style, and served with scallion rice. This is a definitely a place to go if you're tired of the traditional Po Boy or if you just want to try something different.
Where: 709 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
Price Range: $$
Website: http://poboyjim.com/
Uprising Muffin Company
(Yelp)
Unlike the other food places mentioned, Uprising Muffin Company is the place to go when your sweet tooth just won't go away. They have some of the best muffins in D.C., and each of their muffins are made with only 10 ingredients or less. Their coffee cake muffin is made with brown sugar and layered with crunchy streusel. Or, if you're feeling savory, their Savory Southwest Chicken Sausage muffin is filled with roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, chicken sausage and cheese. If that's not enough for you, Uprising Muffin Company also serves sandwiches and fresh salads.
Where: 1817 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Price Range: $$
Website: http://uprisingmuffins.com/
Places to Chill
Sankofa
(Sankofa)
Sankofa is one of the few black owned bookstores in the U.S. Here you can find new releases in all genres, from culture and fiction to biography and sociology. Sankofa also hosts book readings and signings from authors such as Sista Souljah and Sonja Sanchez. In this bookstore you will also find the largest selection of black children's literature in D.C.
Where: 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Price Range: $$
Website: https://www.sankofa.com
Takoma Station
Takoma Station is the place you want to go whenever you're in the mood to listen to some jazz and unwind in a calm, cool environment. They host different events on certain days of the week, such as Neo Soul Wednesdays and Happy Hour every Thursday. Be sure to check their website for their upcoming events.
Where: 6914 4th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20012
Price Range: $$
Website: www.takomastation.com
Culture Coffee
Culture Coffee isn't your regular coffee shop. In addition to hot beverages, smoothies, breakfast pastries and vegan snacks, Culture coffee has its own art gallery and live performance venue.
Where: 709 Kennedy Street NW, Washington, D.C. 2001
Price Range: $
Website: http://culturecoffeedc.com/
Places to Shop
Nomad Yard Collective
Nomad Yard Collectiv is a vintage store that supports evolving brands. They were named best vintage clothing store in D.C. in 2015 and 2016 by a reader's poll in the Washington City Paper. The store also boasts a partnership with Urban Outfitters.
Where: 411 New York Ave NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
Price: $$
Website: www.nomadyardcollectiv.com
Nubian Hueman
Nubian Hueman is an ethnic clothing shop that sells accessories, beauty brands and art. A portion of the store's proceeds go to fair-trade, non-profit organizations or socio-developmental causes. They also tend to host events like book signings and seminars to bring the black community together.
Where: 1231 Good Hope Rd SE, Washington, D.C. 20020
Price Range: $$
Website: http://nubianhueman.com/
This list would not be complete if I didn't tell you where to get makeup made by people of color for people of color. Now the companies listed may not have storefronts in D.C., but their products may be sold in local stores near you. If not you can always buy them online.
Places for #BlackGirlMagic
Cocotique
Cocotique is a monthly box subscription that supplies hair products and makeup. The box includes six-eight full-size hair care/beauty products. This is a great way to test new products and stay updated on the latest.
Where: Online
Price Range: $$
Website: https://www.cocotique.com
Black Up Cosmetics
Black Up Cosmetics is a black makeup line. With this brand you don't have to worry about not being able to find the right shade of foundation, especially for black girls that have a darker complexion. This makeup line prioritizes women of color in every aspect of makeup.
Where: Online as well as sold at Sephora
Price Range: $$
Website: http://www.blackupcosmetics.com
The Lip Bar
The Lip Bar is a lipstick line created to benefit women of color. They believe that women of color should be able to wear vibrant, bold lipsticks and be fierce while doing it. So if you're looking for that bright bold color to compliment your skin, check out The Lip Bar.
Where: Online and also sold at Target
Price Range: $
Website: https://thelipbar.com
Hopefully after seeing all of these black businesses in D.C, and in general, you will not only support them, but spread the word. Tell a friend to tell a friend— in order for the black community to prosper, it has to start with us.
