What Is Juneteenth?
June 19th, or Juneteenth, is regarded in the United States as a celebration to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. On June 19th, 1865 Union Army General Gordon Granger gave an order. This order was known as Order No. 3 and proclaimed freedom for enslaved African Americans in Texas. Today, we celebrate this day as a step towards equality for all. This Juneteenth, we wanted to highlight some black-owned businesses to reflect that successful business has no face. We found a few million-dollar black-owned businesses and some smaller, local black-owned businesses we think you should take a look at.
How Can You Celebrate Juneteenth?
Before we highlight, we wanted to answer the question, how can I celebrate black-owned businesses, not just today but every day? There are some very simple things you as a business can do. Spread the word about a black-owned business you love. Share some love on social media or with friends and family. Eat at local black-owned businesses. Instead of going to a large chain, try eating somewhere you’ve never tried before. Discover and shop at black-owned businesses.
Salamander Hotels and Resorts
CEO Sheila Johnson, also responsible for co-founding Black Entertainment Television started Salamander Hotels and Resorts in August 2013. The luxury hotel, resort, and spa include 168 rooms and are located in the Virginia countryside. The hotel offers a 230,000-square-foot spa with many outdoor activities like hiking, horseback riding, and zip-lining. If you are looking to vacation in Virginia, give Salamander Hotels and Resorts a try!
Devon Industrial Group
Devon Industrial Group is a million-dollar construction company headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, and run by David A. Burnley Sr. They specialize in construction projects in various industries including health care, commercial, and educational.
Baldwin Richardson Foods
This leading custom ingredients manufacturer for the food and beverage industry is family-owned. Richardson Foods was originally founded in 1921 in Chicago, Illinois as Baldwin Ice Cream. After Eric Johnson purchased the company, the Baldwin Ice Cream company purchased Richardson Foods and Baldwin Richardson Foods was officially founded. Over the next 20 years, the business grew to become a leading manufacturer of custom ingredients, making many kinds of liquid products like syrups, sauces, and condiments.
Fair Oaks Farms
Fair Oaks Farms, headed by Michael L. Thompson, is a food services company that produces fresh, ready-to-cook, and fully cooked pork, beef, and poultry. The company offers a variety of different products including cured meats, sausages, canned meats, and smoked meats. Fair Oaks Farms was founded in 1985 in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. They distribute their products to a variety of national and international food chains and restaurants.
Adams Communication and Engineering Technology
The Adams Communication and Engineering Technology company was founded in 1999 in Maryland. It has since become a leading technology company that provides services for Government Defense, Intelligence, and a few other Federal Agencies of the United States. Adams Communication provides products and solutions in healthcare systems, aerospace, electronics, and information services.
Studio iPlay
Studio iPlay was founded by Kandis Hall, a mom who wanted her child to have a space available to paint, play, and most of all, have fun. Studio iPlay is an indoor playground that offers art classes and open play activities based in Detroit, Michigan. Studio iPlay’s paint and play sessions offer kids the opportunity to get step-by-step instructions from local artists. Waiting for your child’s painting to dry is the perfect time to take advantage of the play area.
8 Myles
Based in Washington, DC, 8 Myles is a gourmet mac and cheese manufacturing company created by Myles Powell. While Myles was earning his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s in business administration, he realized his love for food was the perfect opportunity to put his knowledge and passion to work. Myles appeared on Food Network’s special series, America’s Best Cook, and since then Myles has been pursuing his comfort cooking dreams. 8 Myles’ delicious mac and cheese is offered at many different retailers across the country and is now available for delivery right to your door.
2nd Semester Consignment Shop
When Monica Grays created the 2nd Semester Consignment Shop, she set out on a mission to provide educators with a hassle-free, safe, and economically conscience place to buy and sell their classroom resources. Monica, herself, served as an educator in Cleveland, Ohio for 20 years. Over time, Monica discovered that after putting in effort and her own personal funds to purchase classroom supplies, what happens when those supplies are no longer needed? She knew that other educators were more than likely experiencing the same things, and she wanted to create a convenient and safe environment as a solution to those problems.
Strong’s Cleaners
Strong’s Cleaners is a 3rd generation owned dry cleaning and laundry service business, run by Justin Strong. Strong’s Cleaners was established in Shelby, North Carolina in 1930, but in 1942 they relocated to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Strong’s Cleaners is open to everyday customers, but they also have experience servicing commercial clients in industries hotels, gyms, and medical labs. Strong and his company offer high-quality fabric care, and valet services for dry cleaning.
Squash The Beef Catering
While Squash The Beef does not have a brick-and-mortar retail option, they are making waves in the vegan comfort food community. Kurtis Williams and Candace Maiden created Squash The Beef in 2017 when they realized there were not many catering options available to those in their vegan community of Cleveland, Ohio. Squash The Beef provides 100% vegan comfort cuisine to parties, corporate events, food festivals, and pop-up shops. Kurtis and Candace set out on a journey to produce high-quality comfort food while still maintaining a vegan-based diet, and they succeeded.
