In the United States, we celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of Black Americans during Black History Month in February each year. It’s an opportunity to lift up Black culture and the indelible influence it has had on American culture as a whole. It’s also an opportunity to raise awareness of the continued fight against inequity, and to shine a light on the struggles and discrimination that people of color continue to face in this country.
Thanks to Jim Crow-era practices like redlining and job discrimination which were designed to keep Black Americans from prospering or generating wealth, there still exists a significant racial wealth gap in this country. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, quoting a study by researchers at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the median net worth of white families in 2019 was 8 times higher than that of Black families. And it isn’t predicted to improve without “policy interventions or other forces leading to improvements in the relative wealth-accumulating conditions of Black Americans.”
So how can we help close that gap? Each of us has a part to play. And each of us can make a difference.
We already know that shopping local has tangible benefits and helps to build a strong local economy. Shopping Black owned also contributes to a strong economy, with the added benefit of helping to increase the flow of wealth to Black families.
That’s why we’re partnering with The Local Crowd Monadnock, the American Independent Business Alliance and others around the country to celebrate and support Black owned businesses and diversity in our communities. One way we can do that is to amplify this movement and make it easy for you to find the Black owned businesses near you.
Black Owned Businesses “Near Me”
Interested in supporting Black owned businesses? There are a few directories online that will help you find them. A quick Google search will bring up a few worth checking out. WMUR published a good one in 2020 that features Black owned businesses throughout New Hampshire.
We’ve also pulled together a list of local Black owned businesses, which you’ll find below. Know of any others? Let us know in the comments.
- Yahso Jamaican Grille – Keene, NH
Yahso has been serving authentic Jamaican food in Downtown Keene since 2019. The atmosphere is electric, with live music events and a full bar to complement their delectable menu. - New England Sweetwater Farm & Distillery – Winchester, NH
A family owned and operated business, Sweetwater has been crafting artisan spirits since 2015. Visit their tasting room or schedule a tour. - Global Village Cuisine – Windsor, VT
A small business in Vermont that produces allergy friendly, ready-to-eat, African inspired cuisine. Available for purchase at the Monadnock Food Co-op. - Curtis’ BBQ – Putney, VT
An iconic barbeque restaurant started by Curtis Tuff who moved to Vermont to pick fruit in the ‘60s and in 1968 opened up what would become a destination restaurant in Putney with famous barbeque that brings people back again and again. Sadly, Curtis passed away in 2020. Fortunately, the business is still around, now run by Christine Tuff, Curtis’ wife, his daughter Sarah and her fiancée. - Jamaican Jewelz – Bellows Falls, VT
A restaurant in southern Vermont offering authentic, home cooked Jamaican cuisine. - Alaffia – Olympia, WA
Also sold at the Monadnock Food Co-op, Alaffia produces luxurious, plant-based hair and skin care products using fair trade ingredients, and hand crafted by their women-led co-ops in West Africa. - Faith’s Ford – Westminster, VT
A dealership offering new, certified pre-owned vehicles, and leases. - Sunshine Cookshop Jamaican Style Restaurant – Claremont, NH
A restaurant specializing in Jamaican cuisine. Online ordering available.
We invite you to join us as we celebrate Black History Month by supporting Black owned businesses, today and every day. By shopping Black owned, you are voting with your dollar. You are voting for equity. And without a doubt, you are making a difference in your community.