Earlier this week, we asked you to share your feedback and questions about how we could use our platform to serve the community at this time. We’ll be keeping track of your thoughts and working to create content that answers your questions and provides support. We’re here to listen, learn, and facilitate positive conversations about our diverse and vibrant community. Keep sharing your thoughts on how we can best serve Raleigh here.
Many of our readers have written in and asked us to highlight local Black business owners so y’all can support them. Here’s what some of you are saying:
Claire L. — “Can you share a list of Black-owned businesses in Raleigh and encourage readers to support them?”
Melissa R. — “I am new to the area, and in the midst of what’s going on, I was wondering if you were able to compile a list of Black-owned businesses to support.”
Eliza R. — “Would love if you would share a list of local Black-owned businesses (specifically makers, artists, food establishments, and other small businesses that we can support right now) as well as local organizations focused on social justice where people can donate.”
Emma P. — “It would be helpful if you all made a post sharing Raleigh Black-owned business we can support.”
Don’t miss this: #BlackDollarNC + the Downtown Raleigh Alliance are hosting a webinar today at 10 a.m. to help share resources for businesses owners recovering from the effects of coronavirus-related closures.
And thanks to several readers for also reminding us of Support Black-Owned (SBO) and WhereU, two databases that list Black-owned businesses.
We’ve compiled a list of 28 businesses to start, but now we’re turning the question over to you, our local experts. Click here to submit your favorite Black-owned businesses around the Triangle + click the button below to start browsing.
Note: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions, some businesses may currently be closed or offering limited services. Check their websites or social media for possible changes.
Arts
○ Fuller’s Photography | Raleigh | Owner Russell Doug Fuller offers full-service photography with shoots for weddings, models, graduation portraits, families + kids.
○ Digital Film | Durham | Photographer Cortland Gallaway specializes in both natural light and flash photography for weddings, maternity shoots, brand/lookbook campaigns, concerts, graduation + studio work.
○ In God’s Image | 4801 Hargrove Road, Suite 12B, Raleigh | Photographer + Makeup Artist Tanisha Walker founded this multifaceted studio developing a portfolio that offers portraits, wedding photography, social-commentary photography and makeup artistry.
○ Mylina Russell Photography | Raleigh | Founder + Photographer Mylina Russell offers wedding and family portrait photography that includes an initial consultation + a follow up appointment where customers can design their own wall art, albums and keepsakes.
Beauty and Care
○ Azia B’s Salon Nails | 7400 Six Forks Road #4, Raleigh | Owner Azia B. Harris Offers natural nail services, gel enhancements + specialize in customized nail art designs.
○ Artistry Ink Studio | 5200 Hollyridge Drive, Raleigh | Wife-and-husband team TJ + Dwayne offer beauty enhancement treatments including waxing, brow microblading, eyelash lifts and hyperpigmentation treatments.
○ Fly Honey Oils | Raleigh | Owner Bri founded this oil blend company inspired by her mother - passing on the remedies she learned and incorporating them into her products. The company offers roll-on blends, beauty + body products, essential oil + diffuser blends and other merchandise.
○ HoneyDip Butters | Online | Founded by Chassidy Robinson + Jessica Whitfield, this beauty shop offers sugar body scrubs, whipped body butters and shea butter soap.
○ Nailz | 3209 Guess Road Suite 202, Durham | Founder + Owner Joy has over 10 years of experience in the nail care industry and is also a licensed esthetician. Joy offers natural + customizable nail care, waxing, eyelash services and skin therapy.
○ Nail Yeah | 22 Glenwood Avenue #1, Raleigh | Since 2013 this nail salon has specialized in natural + gel nail care and manicures committing to only non-toxic and natural products when possible to craft their unique nail designs.
○ Red Rose Grooming | Raleigh | Owner Quentin Todd offers full-service barber needs for men, women + children specializing in haircuts, razor shaves, fades + beard sculpting.
○ SugarKane Sugaring Spa | 302 Davis Grove Circle, Suite 6014, Cary | Owner Ky’ Lockhart runs a professional Egyptian sugaring business for hair removal and permanent hair reduction while also offering lash lifts + lash tints.
○ The Nail Loft NC | 6260 Glenwood Ave Studio 126, Raleigh | Owner Sara specializes in Gel X + Gel manicures with various lengths and designs offered.
Community
○ BlackSpace | 212 W. Main Street, Durham | Founded by Afrofuturist and Durham natiave Pierce Freelon, this digital makerspace offers free “wokeshops,” programming, and events for local youths.
○ Urban Healing Counseling | 8392 Six Forks Road, Raleigh | Janaya Sadler is a licensed clinical social worker and therapist who provides outpatient counseling services for adults and adolescents — working with individuals who experience anxiety, depression, stress, trauma + a wide range of other emotional and mental health issues.
Entertainment
○ The Comedy Lounge | Durham | Owners Christopher “C Raw” and Ashley Rawlinson help share laughs with their mobile Comedy Club that will expose you to local and national comedians + entertainers through shows, events , and open mic nights.
○ Times Up! Escape Rooms | 105 Towerview Court, Cary | Owners Malaciah and Audrey Jones have created games of strategy and logic designed for friends, families, co-workers, social groups or company team building activities.
Food and Beverage
○ Boss of Vegan | 2161 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh | From burgers on Hawaiian roll buns to “chicken” wings made with soybean powder, this restaurant — from owner Demetrius Liverman — serves up serious comfort food for meat-free eaters.
○ Beyú Caffè | 341 S. Main Street, Durham | Serving breakfast all day + lunch, dinner, coffee, and cocktails. Community-centered meal plans and catering are also available, plus owner Dorian Bolden occasionally hosts special jazz and live music events.
○ Black-ology | Raleigh + Online | Lori Jones founded this coffee business after losing her job during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jones described “Black-ology” as the study of how to enjoy a great cup of coffee - black coffee. The online shop features coffee blends + branded merchandise with the hopes of appearing in brick and mortar stores soon.
○ Dame’s Chicken and Waffles | Locations in Durham, Cary + Greensboro | This soul food restaurant offers a menu stacked with chicken, waffles, flavored butter, seafood, salad + southern sides.
○ Jamaican Jerk Masters | 1909 Poole Rd, Raleigh | This restaurant offers a wide range of authentic Jamaican cuisine featuring jerk chicken + fish, Jamaican patties and a variety of stews.
○ Jeddah’s Tearoom | 123 Market Street, Durham | Wife-and-husband team Morgan Siegal and Wael Suliman serve up a variety of Old World teas (as well as concentrates and accessories) to take home or enjoy in-shop.
○ Lee’s Kitchen | Two locations in Raleigh | Since 2007 this restaurant + food truck features Jamaican and Southern cuisine ranging from oxtails and curry chicken to collard greens.
○ Oak City Fish and Chips | 2822 New Birch Drive, Raleigh | Located in Morgan Street Food Hall, this restaurant features single, double, triple, and quad baskets of fish, shrimp, calamari + even fried lobster tail. Owner Issac Horton is a seventh generation Raleighite.
○ Premier Cakes | 6617 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh | Owners Tracy and Bobby Outlaw specialize in Southern homemade from scratch old fashioned cakes + pies.
○ Proverbs Bakery | 2000 Cary Reserve Drive, Cary | Owner Chanita Carter offers up cakes, cupcakes + sweet treats (like chocolate-dipped strawberries, candied pretzels, and caramel apples) from her home based bakery. Delivery is also available.
○ Pure Juicery Bar | 716 Slash Pine Drive, Cary | This food and juice bar’s 100% vegan menu has been developed with quality, healthy ingredients to craft their juices, plant-based food + acai bowls.
○ Saltbox Seafood Joint | Two locations in Durham | Dishing up fresh seafood daily from the coast — fried, grilled, or seasoned to your preference + served with traditional Southern sides. Owner and chef Ricky Moore has been featured in publications such as Travel and Leisure and released a cookbook last fall.
○ Sarge’s Chef on Wheels | Serving Raleigh, Durham + Rolesville | This mobile restaurant and food truck specializes in catering events from their “Chop Soul” menu. Owners Julius + Janet West serve up down-home cooking with an Asian/Caribbean flair. TryThis:
○ The Kupkake Fairy Desserts and Custom Cakes | 10123 Chapel Hill Rd, Morrisville | This bakery’s made-from-scratch cupcakes, cakes + pound cakes are made to order from small batches to large-scale corporate events and weddings.
○ Wonderpuff | Pop-up locations in Raleigh and Durham | Owner Jackie Morin’s locally-made cotton candy is 100% vegan and made with organic sugar. Flavors include raspberry mojito, roasted honey pear, earl grey tea, salted caramel + more.
○ Zapples | Online serving RDU | Andrei Robinson has always pursued a healthy lifestyle from his time in the marines to working as a youth coach. His online shop sells NC-made apple chips free from additives + composed of five simple ingredients.
○ Zweli’s | 4600 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham | One of the only Zimbabwean restaurants in the country. Owner and chef Zweli Williams dishes up traditional fare like fried plantains, braised oxtail, and piri piri.
Gifts and Home
○ Cute Buttons | 3023 Village Market Place, Morrisville | Owner Alison Kim Perry founded this gift and paper boutique to offer custom invitations, social stationary + lifestyle retail products since 2008.
○ Bright Black | Online + sold locally | All-natural candles with wooden wicks and custom-blended scents from owners Tiffany, Dariel + Elena Griffin. Our pick: Addis Ababa blends frankincense and myrrh with essence of milk and honey. Wholesale is available.
○The Zen Succulent | 208 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh | With an additional location in Durham, owner Megan George stocks plant crafts and home terrariums + hosts workshops on how to design and care for your succulents and air plants.
Health and Wellness
○ Expressions in Rhythm Studio | 5416 Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh | Led by owners Preston and Belinda Brown, this multi-cultural performing arts studio offers djembe drumming, acro, African, ballet, hip-hop, jazz, liturgical, lyrical, tap dance + more that speak to the African-American experience.
○ Bull City Dental | 106 W. Parrish Street, Durham | Dr. Desiree Palmer leads a team of dentists and hygienists offering everything from preventative care to Invisalign + teeth whitening.
○ Colors of Yoga Raleigh | 16 S Glenwood Avenue, Suite 30B, Raleigh | Owner Patrice Graham founded this yoga studio as a way to maintain health + inner peace away from the stress of day-to-day activities.
○ CORE Fitness Studio | 1105 Capital Boulevard, Raleigh | Owner + Instructor Jojo Polk is a former professional athlete who recovered from paralysis through hard work + dedication. Jojo utilizes his life experience to instill the same motivational values in his clients.
○ Spa Utopia | Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill | This mobile spa + massage company founded by Naya Powell offers virtual wellness, on-site bookings, corporate wellness and services for spa parties, events + retreats. Diverse class offerings include gentle relaxation to heart pumping yoga.
Lifestyle
○ Bon Vie Mobile Cigar Lounge | Raleigh | Tobacconist + Cigar Event Coordinator Carolyn Beatty Dumas has 16 years of cigar connoisseur experience under her belt + offers a 32-foot custom bus cigar lounge staffed by cigaristas/tobacconists catering to all events for clients over the age of twenty-one.
○ Gavin Christianson Bridal | 125 E. Parrish Street, Durham | Boutique owner Gineen Cargo stocks wedding gowns for a range of budgets — including designs from Casablanca and Justin Alexander. Save the date: the shop is hosting two trunk shows this month.
○ Liberation Station | Online | This shop — owned by Durham resident Nathaniel Knight — features African-American children’s books, including titles like Lullaby for a Black Mother, Life Doesn’t Frighten Me, and The Sun is So Quiet.
Media
○ Business Mogul | Online | Founded by Dr. Sheria Rowe, this digital publication focuses on business and culture for multicultural audiences, professionals, and industry leaders.
○ Pretty N Paid Media | Raleigh | Founder and CEO Deone Mitchell developed this media company to provide television, books, movies, radio, publishing + coaching services to the masses.
○ Triangle Blvd | 128 East Hargett Street, STE 204, Raleigh | This media production and advertising company not only manages Triangle Restaurant Week, but brings digital professionals to brands in order to develop creative, engaging solutions.
○ TribeTalk Media | Raleigh and Durham | A local media outlet serving to bring conversations and empowerment to women through the promotion of authenticity, respect + integrity. Co-founders Tiffany Hatton, Santisha Walker + Trinetta Burrell work to connect with their audience through support and inspiration.
○ Third I Multimedia | Raleigh | This multimedia company, founded by Albert Greene, specializes in video production and media programming.
Moving
○ RDU Delivered | Raleigh and Durham | Jefferey Smith founded this moving company in 2013 starting form a one-man business to a family enterprise. The company motto states that they treat each move as the “Super Bowl” of all relocations.
For more Black-owned businesses in Raleigh, click here for a community-supported list.
For a list of more Black-owned businesses in Durham, click here.
This article features contributions and research from Erin McPherson, Trevor Peters + Phoenix Berman.
