August is Black Enterprise Month, an event to have fun the achievements and contributions of Black entrepreneurs and enterprise homeowners. Within the meals and beverage business, Black-owned companies are making a major affect, with revolutionary services and products aiming to alter the way in which we eat and drink.
In accordance with the U.S. Census Bureau, there are greater than 2.6 million Black-owned companies in the US. Of those, practically 100,000 are within the meals and beverage business. This sector is without doubt one of the fastest-growing areas for Black entrepreneurship, with Black-owned meals and beverage companies producing greater than $100 billion in income annually.
Black-owned meals and beverage companies will not be solely thriving, however they’re additionally innovating. They’re creating new services and products which might be assembly the wants of a various and rising inhabitants. For instance, Black-owned companies are main the way in which within the growth of plant-based meals and drinks, in addition to health-conscientious and wellness-focused merchandise equivalent to Pescavore’s sustainable Ahi tuna jerky strips, BLK & Daring Specialty Drinks and Yolélé African Meals.
Along with their financial affect, Black-owned meals and beverage companies are additionally enjoying a significant position of their communities. They’re offering jobs and alternatives for Black entrepreneurs and staff, and they’re serving to to protect and promote African American tradition and heritage.
Throughout Black Enterprise Month, it’s vital to acknowledge the achievements and improvements of those companies. By supporting them, it creates a extra equitable and inclusive financial system.
At midday CT Thursday, August 17, Meals & Beverage Insider is internet hosting “The plant-based revolution: How the BIPOC group performs an vital position in its progress.” Moderated by Meals & Beverage Insider Content material Director Audarshia Townsend, the webinar will cowl the distinctive challenges this group encounters, together with supply-chain points and incorporating heritage flavors into merchandise. Audio system include Riana Lynn, meals scientist, Journey Meals; Wendy Ekua (W.E.) Da’Cruz, CEO/founder, The Mushroom Angel; Mehek Khera, CEO/founder, Niramaya Meals; and LaShaun “Sah” Jackson, founder, Good2Go Veggie. Register right here for the free webinar.
Additionally, Meals & Beverage Insider accomplice Dine Diaspora, which debuted the first-ever Black Girls in Meals Summit final spring, has partnered with Eat Okra and UberEats to supply grants totaling $100,000 for Black women-owned meals companies in the US. The Black Girls in Meals Grants will present capital for Black ladies meals ventures which might be on Uber Eats to speed up progress for companies. Grants of $10,000 can be given to 10 enterprises that successfully exhibit how the funds will catalyze impactful progress.
“By means of our work supporting Black ladies throughout the meals business, we all know entry to capital is a major problem for Black women-owned meals companies,” Nina Oduro, co-founder, Dine Diaspora, mentioned. “These grants can contribute to the long-term sustainability of Black women-owned meals enterprises on Uber Eats and allow them to achieve potential prospects by way of EatOkra.”
Winners of the grants may also entry assets equivalent to entry to EatOkra’s Accelerator program and entry to occasions and alternatives, such because the Black Girls in Meals Summit. Apply for the grants by way of Sept. 8 proper right here.
A lifelong Chicagoan, Audarshia Townsend is a veteran meals and beverage journalist who serves because the content material director for Meals & Beverage Insider. She additionally seems recurrently on native and nationwide media retailers to debate meals and beverage traits. When Townsend’s not on the eats beat, she’s an avid yogi and meditation practitioner.
