August is National Black Business Month—and if you’re looking for a meaningful way to show up for Black communities across the country, your dollars are one of the most powerful tools you have. According to the U.S. Black Chambers, Black-owned businesses generate over $206 billion in revenue annually, yet they remain chronically underrepresented and underfunded. Supporting these businesses isn’t just a feel-good gesture—it’s an act of economic solidarity that helps close the racial wealth gap and strengthens entire communities.
This month, we’re putting the spotlight on exceptional Black-owned businesses across the country. From luxury retreats and Caribbean rum bars to handmade jewelry and sustainable fashion, these are the brands, spots, and creators making an undeniable impact. Whether you’re shopping online, booking a stay, or sitting down for a meal, here’s where to spend your coins.
Northeast Region
New York: The Little Fat Girl, Akwaaba Mansion & NICOLE ZÏZI STUDIO™
Harlem’s The Little Fat Girl is an online bakery that deserves a permanent spot in your bookmarks. If you’ve got a sweet tooth—and let’s be honest, who doesn’t—this is the place to satisfy it. For those looking to experience true luxury lodging, Akwaaba Mansion in Brooklyn offers an extraordinary stay in one of New York’s most storied boroughs. Its elegance is unmatched. And for the fashion-forward among you, NICOLE ZÏZI STUDIO™ is a platform for progressive and sustainable design, proving that style and social consciousness can absolutely coexist.
New Jersey: Bloom Rouge Floral Design
Bloom Rouge Floral Design is a boutique floral design studio that transforms flowers into art. Whether you’re planning an event or simply want to brighten someone’s day, Bloom Rouge delivers beauty with intention. Supporting them is a no-brainer.
Washington D.C.: Black Pepper Paperie Co.
Black Pepper Paperie Co. is a surface design and decorative art studio producing work that is as culturally rich as it is visually stunning. If you’re in the market for art that actually means something, this is your destination.
Southeast Region
Georgia: Roc South Cuisine
Southern food done right is something special—and Roc South Cuisine in Georgia has perfected the craft. This restaurant serves up authentic Southern-style cuisine with the kind of soul that only comes from genuinely passionate cooking. It’s comfort food elevated, and it’s very much worth seeking out.
Virginia: Salamander Resort & Spa
Salamander in Virginia is not your average getaway. This five-star resort and spa represents Black excellence in the hospitality industry at its absolute finest. Originally founded by media entrepreneur Sheila Johnson—the first Black woman to be a principal owner of three professional sports teams—Salamander is a statement. Treat yourself, or someone you love, to a stay here.
Midwest Region
Illinois: 14 Parish Chicago & Bettye O Day Spa
Chicago is home to some incredible Black-owned businesses, and two of the standouts are 14 Parish Chicago and Bettye O Day Spa. 14 Parish is a Caribbean-inspired rum bar that brings the warmth and vibrancy of island culture straight to the city—think carefully crafted cocktails and an atmosphere that immediately puts you at ease. Meanwhile, Bettye O Day Spa offers a full suite of wellness services including facials, massages, waxing, and hydrotherapy. Self-care is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Let Bettye O remind you of that.
Michigan: The Cochrane House
If a sophisticated escape is what you’re after, The Cochrane House in Detroit is calling your name. This adults-only boutique bed and breakfast blends historic charm with luxury hospitality, offering an intimate experience that larger hotel chains simply can’t replicate. Detroit has always been a city of resilience and reinvention—and The Cochrane House embodies that spirit beautifully.
Missouri: Yah Yah Liqueur
Yah Yah Liqueur is a Black-owned spirits brand producing vintage cognac with exotic flavors, including a VSOP expression that has been turning heads among spirits enthusiasts. The next time you’re stocking your home bar or shopping for a gift, make room for Yah Yah.
Montana: Birdie Brown
Birdie Brown is putting Montana on the Black business map with a wheat whiskey featuring notes of coconut and a smooth oaky finish. It’s a standout craft spirit that deserves far more recognition than it currently gets—and buying a bottle is one of the best ways to change that.
Southwest Region
Texas: Southern Gents & Wanderstay Boutique Hotel
Texas is home to two businesses that represent the very best of Black entrepreneurship. Southern Gents offers menswear staples for the man who takes his style seriously. Clean, intentional, and made for the culture. On the hospitality side, Wanderstay Boutique Hotel in Houston is an adults-only retreat that redefines what a boutique hotel experience can look and feel like. Whether you’re passing through Houston or planning a dedicated trip, Wanderstay is the place to rest, reset, and recharge.
Arizona: Brownstone Aesthetics
Brownstone Aesthetics is a studio spa in Arizona committed to helping clients look and feel their best. In an industry that has historically excluded Black women both as practitioners and as consumers, Brownstone is a refreshing and powerful presence.
West Coast Region
California: GIFTED CVLTVRE, TiJahnni, The District by GS, B-Love’s Guesthouse & SIA Collective
California’s Black business community is thriving, and these five businesses are proof. GIFTED CVLTVRE is an independent streetwear and lifestyle brand that captures the pulse of the culture. TiJahnni creates handmade jewelry and accessories that are truly one-of-a-kind—each piece reflecting artistry and intentionality. For a great night out, The District by GS is a contemporary hangout serving up cocktails and food in an atmosphere that feels like community by design.
For travelers, B-Love’s Guesthouse—founded by an artist and community organizer—offers an accommodation experience that’s personal, purposeful, and deeply connected to the communities it serves. And for those who love fashion that blurs boundaries, SIA Collective is a footwear and apparel brand that’s pushing creative limits with every release.
Oregon: Trap Kitchen
Trap Kitchen started as a story of reinvention and grew into a nationally recognized comfort food brand. The Oregon location brings that same energy—hearty, honest food cooked with conviction. It’s more than a meal. It’s a movement.
Every Dollar You Spend Is a Vote for the Future You Want to See
National Black Business Month is a reminder—but support shouldn’t stop when August ends. The businesses spotlighted here are building legacies, creating jobs, and enriching communities every single day of the year. Follow them on social media. Leave a five-star review. Tell your friends. And most importantly, spend your money with intention.
The conversation around economic equity doesn’t have to happen only in boardrooms or on ballot papers. Sometimes, it starts with where you choose to eat, sleep, shop, and sip. Make that choice count—and keep showing up for Black businesses all year long.
