In the current atmosphere of racial injustice, protests, and the fight against police brutality, many areas have been impacted. Riots have been incited by citizens and police alike, both meeting each other with resistance. Those protesting (all over the world) are standing and fighting back against the overarching systems that have enabled racism in America. As more light continues to shine on inequality and injustice, we hope more black local businesses will get the support they deserve. If you are a Chicagoan who wants to support a local black business, look no further. We have compiled a list of black-owned businesses you can support in Chicago.
Before diving into the list, we would like to give thanks to Black Owned Chicago. They provide a directory of black-owned businesses that you can search through. You can filter by food & drink, clothing, education, entertainment, fitness, and more. Without them, this list wouldn’t be possible.
Black Culture Shop – Black Culture Shop is geared towards black culture, creating pieces that give homage to historical civil rights figures and legendary hip hop artists. They work to “create designs that enhance our culture and bring light to many different people.” Not only do they create their own designs to highlight black culture, but they also customize designs and logos for other businesses. Black Culture Shop gives back to the community, while still working to create pieces that pay homage to various figures in the black community. If you would like to go local and support black-owned businesses, make sure to check out Black Culture Shop, located a few blocks away from Grant Park.
Brown Sugar Bakery – Located on the South Side of Chicago, Brown Sugar Bakery was opened by Stephanie Hart in 2004. Stephanie opened the bakery in hopes of spreading her “dangerously delicious” pastries to the public (she most definitely did). The bakery sells delicious cupcakes, cookies, cobblers, cheesecakes, pies, and more. The bakery’s sweet potato pie is some of the best in Chicago, alongside its multitude of cake flavors, which include chocolate, red velvet, and carrot. In 2013, Brown Sugar Bakery was named America’s Best Bakery on the Steve Harvey Show and “prides itself on being apart of the joyous occasions among families and creating the taste of sweet memories.” If you like baked goods and want to support more black-owned businesses, be sure to stop by Brown Sugar Bakery, located just a few blocks away from I-94.
Chicago French Press – In the morning, everyone needs a pick-me-up. So why not start your day off with a cup of coffee from Chicago French Press. Not only is their coffee 100% organic and premium, but it comes in five signature blends (original, chocolate blueberry, maple pecan, coconut creme, and peach nectar). Kris Christian founded Chicago French Press because she felt there never was a cup of coffee that was truly bold enough to get the day going. She always had to add extra sugars and creams to her morning coffee and felt as if none of her options were sweet enough. Instead of waiting around for someone else to create the perfect cut, she went ahead and created her own bold, flavor-filled coffee! While Christian’s coffee is bold, her heart is soft, as shown by her continuous efforts to give back to her community. Chicago French Press is “about more than just selling good coffee; it’s about doing good work.” A portion of their sales goes towards raising awareness and supporting local and national programs that help those in need. If you want to support black business and a good cause, check out Chicago French Press.
Black Ensemble Theater – If you enjoy theatrics, then Black Ensemble Theater (BE) is the place for you. Located at 4450 North Clark Street, Black Ensemble Theater works to bring the community excellent and diverse productions. Founded in 1976, BE is recognized “as a leader and innovator” in the African-American and mainstream art communities. Their mission is to “eradicate racism and its damaging effects upon our society through the utilization of theater arts.” They also utilize educational outreach programs to teach the youth and bring races together. In an industry where racism is still present, it’s good to see that Black Ensemble Theater is working to turn things around.
Mikkey’s Retro Grill – Mikkey Halsted was involved in the music industry for 15 years before opening Mikkey’s Retro Grill, working with the likes of Kanye West and Jermaine Dupri. Not only does the Chicago native mentor youth and work to educate those around him, but he also prides Mikkey’s Retro Grill for being “a burger, wing, and shake spot. [With] all-natural ingredients, vegan options, and all the favorites Chicago is known for, like Italian Beef.” The restaurant has locations in Hyde Park, Stony Island, and Bronzeville, providing a nice distance between each other. If you’re looking to eat at more black-owned restaurants, make sure to stop by Mikkey’s Retro Grill.
There are plenty of other black businesses you can support in Chicago! If you’d like to check them out, make sure to visit Black Owned Chicago and take a deep dive. If you are in the area, be sure to stop by all the black-owned businesses listed above. They could use your support right now, and giving them your business is definitely a step in the right direction to help the tides turn on systemic racism.
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