As August comes to a close, local entrepreneurs are taking the time to celebrate a successful National Black Business Month, an annual observance established to empower Black business owners and advocate for equity in entrepreneurship.
This dedication to supporting Black-owned businesses traces back to 2004 when engineering entrepreneur Frederick E. Jordan and scholarly publishing editor John William Templeton joined forces to create this important initiative.
Aisha Waters, the founder of Space & Grace Yoga and Wellness in Mt. Airy, shares how this month presents a significant chance for local residents to contribute positively to their communities. She highlights the challenges posed by systemic barriers in building and sustaining wealth within Black communities.
“Supporting Black-owned businesses empowers our communities, strengthens our local economies, and helps create generational wealth,” said Waters.
She emphasizes the importance of representation, noting that when young Black and brown kids see role models in various spaces, particularly in entrepreneurship, it inspires confidence and builds self-esteem.
Rashied Amon, owner of SOOK Vinyl & Vintage in Mt. Airy, echoes this sentiment, understanding the necessity of sustaining small Black-owned businesses. He urges patrons to be intentional about supporting businesses that they want to see flourish.
“If people appreciate the businesses that they visit, they should be intentional about supporting businesses that they’d like to see stay around,” Amon emphasized.
Aliesh Pierce, the owner of AskAliesh Skin Care Studio in Chestnut Hill, highlights that the reasons for supporting Black-owned businesses go beyond just economic benefits.
“When it comes to supporting Black-owned businesses, at least for a business like mine, it’s not just about building a resilient economy — it’s about offering support, without bias, based on the quality of service and results I can achieve,” Pierce stated.
For those eager to support Black-owned businesses as National Black Business Month wraps up, there are numerous establishments ready to welcome customers throughout the Philadelphia area.
In Chestnut Hill, AskAliesh Skin Care Studio (92 Bethlehem Pike, Suite 1-A) recently celebrated its one-year anniversary on August 17. Founded by esthetician Aliesh Pierce, the studio provides personalized facials, microneedling, chemical peels, and laser hair removal for clients keen on enhancing their skin.
Another new establishment in the area, Between Friends Boutique (7833 Germantown Ave.), was founded by the mother-daughter duo Claudia Averette and Atiya Smith in 2023. The boutique offers affordable silk and knit clothing and accessories targeting women of all ages and also features brands created by independent Black designers, many of whom are women.
The unique DanceFit studio (98 Bethlehem Pike), established in 2018 by Megan Kizer, caters to diverse customers regardless of dancing ability. The dance fitness studio encourages participants to join Zumba, Motown Movement, Bootcamp, or HipFit classes, effectively integrating fitness into enjoyable activities, focusing on strength, sensuality, and confidence.
Yolanda Palmer founded Foliage (8139 Germantown Ave.) in 2021, showcasing a variety of indoor houseplants for all price points. The shop offers services like plant installation, repotting, maintenance, and plantsitting, making it a go-to for plant enthusiasts.
Home Works (8129 Germantown Ave.), owned by Shawn Gibbons, serves as a valuable resource for interior designers, featuring classic, modern, and eclectic pieces sourced from around the world. Beyond retail, Home Works partners with designers and architects for home styling and consulting services.
Jennifer’s Leaf (8135 Germantown Ave.) is a friendly yoga studio that strives to make yoga accessible to all—from seasoned practitioners to newcomers. Owner Desiree Pressley encourages clients to engage in mindful movements while embracing kindness and gentleness in their practice.
At the MIXD.Salon (8614 Germantown Ave.), stylist Jasmine Smalls offers personalized beauty services, encompassing facials, waxing, and a diverse range of men’s and women’s hair services including cutting, styling, coloring, and conditioning.
The NoName Gallery (8127 Germantown Ave.), owned by Jonene Lee, specializes in urban, street, pop, abstract, and contemporary art. Since its opening in 2023, the gallery has featured monthly rotating exhibits showcasing artists such as Sean Lugo and Natalie Hope McDonald.
Serenity Aesthetics and Wellness (8133 Germantown Ave.) is a medical spa founded by Dr. Gina Charles, who leverages her skincare experience and medical knowledge to offer specialized treatments concentrated on ethnic skin health.
Style by Blain (8433 Germantown Ave.), launched in 2018 by Voltaire Blain, is a luxury shoe store displaying brands like Gaziano & Girling and Alden in a unique men’s club ambiance, using a pool table as a display platform.
TC Unlimited Boutique (8518 Germantown Ave.) provides designer-inspired clothing across inclusive sizes. Established by Keia Chesson, the store has been increasing its inventory of high-quality clothing since opening its storefront in 2016 after years of online selling.
In the same vein of supporting local Black entrepreneurship, The Duke Barber Co. (7946 Germantown Ave.), managed by Will Brown, offers upscale grooming services for men and specializes in traditional grooming techniques rooted in Brown’s family tradition.
Mt. Airy is home to BLACQSKIRT (7161 Germantown Ave.), a boutique established by Sherri Hall that focuses on women’s fashion, featuring a range of clothing from handcrafted to upcycled and sizes from small to 3X.
SOOK Vinyl & Vintage (7169 Germantown Ave.) stands out as Philadelphia’s sole Black-owned record store, created by Rashied Amon who has curated thousands of vinyl records alongside CDs, VCR tapes, and memorabilia reflecting Black culture and musical history.
Space & Grace Yoga and Wellness (6120 Greene St., Unit B), founded by Aisha Waters, offers a supportive environment where clients can discover healing, connection, and joy through yoga.
Young American Cider (6350 Germantown Ave.), founded collectively by Stephanie Cole, Jesse Bilger, and Kate Kaman, operates a cidery and tasting room featuring locally-sourced hard ciders and light bites, along with live music and events held weekly.
In Germantown, Lily of the Valley Cupcakery and Cafe (26 Maplewood Mall) is wonderfully operated by Terrance and Rashida Baldwin, who delight patrons with over 40 different varieties of gourmet cupcakes and a range of homemade baked goods.
Perfectly Flawless Boutique (5312 Germantown Ave.), founded by Crystal Jackson, transcends typical fashion retail by empowering customers through style, aided by its associated nonprofit, the Perfectly Flawless Foundation, which focuses on clothing repurposing for community support.
Finally, Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books (5445 Germantown Ave.), established by Marc Lamont Hill in 2017, acts as a community hub, providing access to literature and hosting a variety of free events aimed at fostering a sense of belonging and learning for all.
As the month comes to an end, the importance of supporting these Black-owned businesses extends beyond National Black Business Month, encouraging community members to build a more equitable and inclusive economy through deliberate choices.
image source from：chestnuthilllocal
