What we do

Restaurant Business Development Cohort

Meet our 2021 recipients

67 Orange Street

Harlem, NY

Since its opening in 2008, 67 Orange Street has maintained a rich legacy in the Harlem Community. When it opened its doors in 2008, it was the first cocktail bar in Harlem. It recently celebrated its 12th year anniversary.

Alamar Kitchen

Oakland, CA

Alamar Kitchen opened 6 years ago in the heart of Uptown Oakland featuring delicious seafood boils and comfort food that Owner grew up with like her mother’s braised oxtail stew, which became one of Alamar’s signature dishes.

Binge Kitchen

San Antonio, TX

Binge Kitchen offers a different, more healthy way of eating to people of color who want to transition to plant based eating. We aim to bridge the misconception that eating healthy is a sacrifice or loss of flavor, texture, or both.

Caribbean Feast Restaurant

Philadelphia, PA

In business for over 16 years, Caribbean Feast Restaurant offers Caribbean and American cuisine in North Philadelphia. They are known throughout the area for their authentic Caribbean & American dishes.

Craft Burger

Houston, TX

Craft Burger is a Black-owned, family-owned, and operated Gourmet burger restaurant and food truck. We Feature all-natural, locally sourced ingredients for burgers, shakes, and fries.

Dre's Water Ice & Ice Cream

Philadelphia, PA

Opened in 2013, Dre’ Water Ice & Ice Cream creates traditional and nontraditional frozen desserts, including Italian Ice and nostalgic southern style ice cream.

Fainmous BBQ

Houston, TX

Established in December 2010, Fainmous BBQ is a Houston-based restaurant and catering company specializing in craft BBQ smoked meats and vegetarian dishes.

Fishnet

College Park, MD

Opened in 2011, Fishnet sells fresh seafood and American-style food. Built by dreamers, they understand the value of community, honor traditions and recipes and press toward the future.

FishScale

Washington, DC

FishScale is a bistro-style fine casual restaurant, serving a holistic approach to eating seafood, specifically fish in a manner that respects human health, sustainability, and environment preservation without comprising the important factor of the taste.

Goss'Up Pasta

St. Louis, MO

Goss’Up Pasta, open since 2014, offers wide variety of meals from Italian and American. The Owner, Queen, has over 25 years in the food industry, catering, events, and restaurant management.

Gumbo Social

San Francisco, CA

At the helm of Gumbo Social SF is Chef Dontaye Ball’s culinary skills. Gumbo Social is a mobile food company that serves the San Francisco-Bay with creative, soulful, and unusual gumbo options.

Hot & Cool Cafe

Los Angeles, CA

Hot & Cool Café is a community space and coffee shop that has become a community leader and staple in South LA since 2018. Hot & Cool has been committed to maintaining Leimert Park’s rich heritage as the epicenter of the modern Black renaissance.

LeBerry Bakery & Donut

Pasadena, CA

An award-winning bakery, Leberry Bakery opened in 2018 as a sustainable plant-based donut and bakery shop. They provide healthier, organize, and affordable sweets to local communities within LA County.

Local Green Atlanta

Atlanta, GA

Local Green Atlanta is a fast-casual restaurant offering healthy and affordable food by creating an ecosystem based on trust and accountability.

Meals for the Heart Cafe

New Orleans, LA

Located in Historic Farmers Market in New Orleans French Quarter, Meals From The Heart Cafe was established in 2006. They provide locals and tourists with vegan and gluten-free options.

Old Major

Baltimore, MD

Open since 2017, Old Major, a bar-restaurant in Baltimore City’s Pigtown neighborhood, serves West Indian food and tropical drinks. They were named Best Neighborhood Bar in 2019 by Baltimore Magazine and were featured in the Baltimore Sun as a “hidden gem.”

Reggae Hut

Houston, TX

The Reggae Hut, a longstanding staple in Houston’s Third Ward community, specializes in authentic mouth-watering Caribbean specialties. They serve a tempting amalgamation of foods from the Caribbean.

Bushwick Grind

Brooklyn, NY

Bushwick Grind was founded in September 2015 by husband and wife Raymond Davis and Kymme Williams-Davis. For over 5 years, Bushwick Grind has primarily operated as a Brooklyn based coffee shop and café with a mission to serve the community.

Sweet Brooklyn Bar & Grill

Brooklyn, NY

Since 2016 Sweet Brooklyn Bar & Grill has provided a safe place for its community to experience a fun social environment while dining and drinking responsibly.

Taco Pete

Los Angeles, CA

Taco Pete is a 30-year old Mom & Pop Black-owned taco stand with an historic location and unique taste like no other. Taco Pete is known as “the #1 taco in all South Los Angeles”.

Taylor's Tacos

Chicago, IL

Taylor’s Tacos is a pop-up catering company offering authentic street tacos with a whole lot of soul!

SoulBowl'z

San Jose, CA

SoulBowl’z is a food truck that sells soul food with a Latin twist, Owned by Nima Romney, a formally incarcerated woman, who after serving 15 years in prison came home and went to culinary school, purchased a food truck with the love and passion of cooking.

TeaPosh Naturals

Jacksonville, FL

TeaPosh Naturals, a Herbal Tea company that began in 2016, educates and provides Natural Alkaline Herbs online. In 2018, they expanded into their first brick and mortar location in Jacksonville, FL and expanded into a full vegan cafe.

Toss It Up

Los Angeles, CA

Toss It Up, founded in 2016, is a salad company providing healthy options to South LA.

Gigi's Vegan Wellness Cafe

Kansas City, MO

It all starts with soil. At Gigi’s Vegan Wellness Cafe, we’re not just preparing food, we are nurturing our customers body and soul.

Apply for 2022 Cohort