Black History Month is a time to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of African Americans throughout history. It’s also an excellent opportunity to support Black-owned food brands that significantly contribute to the ever-evolving culinary landscape.
Let’s highlight Black-owned food brands across various categories, including desserts/confectionery, pantry staples, snacks, alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks. By showcasing these brands, we aim to not only celebrate their success but also encourage consumers to explore and enjoy the diverse and delicious products they offer.
Desserts/Confectionery
Blondery
Auzerais Bellamy, the talent behind Blondery, dedicated ten years to refining her blondie recipe, inspired by the flavors of a pecan praline candy she cherished in her youth. From this original recipe, Blondery has expanded its selection to include an array of blondies and brownies, all available on the Blondery website. Other offerings include 11-layer cakes and even dog treats.
Related: Partake Foods Goes Beyond Allergen-Friendly Treats to Create Opportunities for People of Color
Southern Girl Desserts
Southern Girl Desserts offers a taste of the South with its mouthwatering baked goods. Co-founders Catarah Coleman and Shoneji Robison have been serving up Southern hospitality in Los Angeles since 2007, offering everything from cupcakes and pies to custom cakes. The brand’s commitment to quality and flavor has earned it a loyal following and numerous accolades.
Sweet Dames Artisan Confections
Sweet Dames Artisan Confections, founded by Genelle Drayton, stands as a homage to her heritage, named in honor of her grandparents, Henry and Daisy Dames. Drawing inspiration from the Bahamian coconut cakes of her childhood, Drayton crafted a line of soft, delectable macaroons and macaroon bites, all of which are free from wheat and dairy. The collection features unique flavors, like Pineapple Coconut with hints of rum and ginger and a spiced Chocolate Almond Spice with cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and roasted almonds.
Pantry Staples
A Dozen Cousins
A Dozen Cousins brings a modern twist to traditional Black and Latino recipes. Launched in 2019 by Ibraheem Basir, the brand offers ready-to-eat (RTE) bean dishes, seasoning sauces and rice seasonings. A Dozen Cousins’ offerings are inspired by African American, Caribbean and Latin American cuisines. Its products are not only convenient but also natural, with a focus on using real ingredients and avoiding artificial additives.
EXAU Olive Oil
EXAU Olive Oil is the creation of Skyler and Giuseppe, a dynamic wife and husband team. This Black-owned food brand is a blend of contemporary American culinary demands and over 75 years of Calabrian artisanal tradition. The olives are cultivated and processed on the duo’s estate in Calabria, Italy, culminating in the production of their acclaimed extra virgin olive oil, priced between $25 and $27 per bottle.
Black History Month is a time to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of African Americans throughout history. It’s also an excellent opportunity to support Black-owned food brands that significantly contribute to the ever-evolving culinary landscape.
Let’s highlight Black-owned food brands across various categories, including desserts/confectionery, pantry staples, snacks, alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks. By showcasing these brands, we aim to not only celebrate their success but also encourage consumers to explore and enjoy the diverse and delicious products they offer.
Desserts/Confectionery
Blondery
Auzerais Bellamy, the talent behind Blondery, dedicated ten years to refining her blondie recipe, inspired by the flavors of a pecan praline candy she cherished in her youth. From this original recipe, Blondery has expanded its selection to include an array of blondies and brownies, all available on the Blondery website. Other offerings include 11-layer cakes and even dog treats.
Related: Partake Foods Goes Beyond Allergen-Friendly Treats to Create Opportunities for People of Color
Southern Girl Desserts
Southern Girl Desserts offers a taste of the South with its mouthwatering baked goods. Co-founders Catarah Coleman and Shoneji Robison have been serving up Southern hospitality in Los Angeles since 2007, offering everything from cupcakes and pies to custom cakes. The brand’s commitment to quality and flavor has earned it a loyal following and numerous accolades.
Sweet Dames Artisan Confections
Sweet Dames Artisan Confections, founded by Genelle Drayton, stands as a homage to her heritage, named in honor of her grandparents, Henry and Daisy Dames. Drawing inspiration from the Bahamian coconut cakes of her childhood, Drayton crafted a line of soft, delectable macaroons and macaroon bites, all of which are free from wheat and dairy. The collection features unique flavors, like Pineapple Coconut with hints of rum and ginger and a spiced Chocolate Almond Spice with cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and roasted almonds.
Pantry Staples
A Dozen Cousins
A Dozen Cousins brings a modern twist to traditional Black and Latino recipes. Launched in 2019 by Ibraheem Basir, the brand offers ready-to-eat (RTE) bean dishes, seasoning sauces and rice seasonings. A Dozen Cousins’ offerings are inspired by African American, Caribbean and Latin American cuisines. Its products are not only convenient but also natural, with a focus on using real ingredients and avoiding artificial additives.
EXAU Olive Oil
EXAU Olive Oil is the creation of Skyler and Giuseppe, a dynamic wife and husband team. This Black-owned food brand is a blend of contemporary American culinary demands and over 75 years of Calabrian artisanal tradition. The olives are cultivated and processed on the duo’s estate in Calabria, Italy, culminating in the production of their acclaimed extra virgin olive oil, priced between $25 and $27 per bottle.
Iya Foods
Iya Foods is a testament to the rich flavors and nutritional benefits of African foods. Founded by Toyin Kolawole, Iya Foods provides a range of elevated pantry staples. These include flours, spices and baking mixes that are gluten-free, non-GMO and made with whole foods. The brand is committed to sustainability and health, bringing the essence of African culinary traditions to kitchens around the world.
Snacks
Partake Foods
Partake Foods is revolutionizing the snack industry with its delicious, allergen-friendly cookies. Founded by Denise Woodard in 2016 after her daughter was diagnosed with severe food allergies, Partake offers a variety of cookie flavors that are free from the top eight allergens, making them safe and enjoyable for everyone. The brand is also dedicated to social justice, supporting organizations that fight food insecurity.
Pipcorn Heirloom Snacks
Launched in 2012, Pipcorn, a women- and Black-owned food brand, initially offered hand-stamped bags of miniature popcorn at the renowned Smorgasburg food market in Brooklyn, New York. The brand has since expanded its offerings to include heirloom corn-based cheese balls, corn dippers and snack crackers. These healthier snack options have even earned the distinction of being named Oprah’s favorite things on four separate occasions.
Symphony Chips
Symphony Chips started as a family business by André Anderson, a former Las Vegas chef who wanted to bring his gourmet seasonings to the snack world. Their potato chips are seasoned with a unique blend of spices that offer a symphony of flavors. The brand prides itself on creating gluten-free, all-natural chips that stand out in the crowded snack market.
Alcoholic Drinks
McBride Sisters Wine Collection
McBride Sisters Wine Collection is the brainchild of Robin and Andréa McBride, who turned their shared passion for wine into a successful business. The sisters have made history as the largest African American-owned wine company in the US. Their collection includes a variety of wines — from Chardonnay to Pinot Noir — that reflect their unique story and commitment to sustainability and empowerment.
PurCellos1789
PurCellos1789 is a testament to the belief that bourbon is a drink for everyone, not just men. The husband-and-wife duo behind the brand, Tomeka and Herbert Purcell, embarked on a journey to craft a bourbon that couples could savor together. Distinctively bottled and distilled in Colorado Springs, PurCellos1789 stands out in the American bourbon landscape. It marks Tomeka and Herbert as the pioneering Black bourbon distillers in Colorado.
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey honors the legacy of Nathan “Nearest” Green, an enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. Founded by Fawn Weaver in 2017, the brand has quickly become a symbol of excellence. It offers a range of smooth, premium whiskeys that have garnered international acclaim. Uncle Nearest is dedicated to preserving Green’s legacy and supporting African American entrepreneurship in the whiskey industry.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Berry Bissap
Founded in 2019 by Akua Kyerematen Nettey, Berry Bissap is committed to bringing the traditional bissap to your table. This spiced hibiscus tea, rooted in Senegalese culture, has won hearts across West Africa. Berry Bissap offers this beverage in its classic form alongside inventive variations like Pineapple, Mixed Berry and Cinnamon Citrus.
BLK & Bold
BLK & Bold specializes in specialty coffees and teas, founded by childhood friends Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson in 2018. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, its mission extends beyond producing high-quality beverages. The company dedicates five percent of its profits to supporting at-risk youth. BLK & Bold offers a variety of blends that cater to different tastes, ensuring a rich and unique experience for coffee and tea lovers alike.
Me & the Bees Lemonade
Me & the Bees Lemonade started as a lemonade stand by then four-year-old Mikaila Ulmer, inspired by her family’s recipe and a desire to save endangered honeybees. Today, it’s a fully-fledged brand offering a variety of flavored lemonades, each sweetened with local honey. The company donates a portion of its profits to organizations that protect bees, combining business success with environmental activism.
Supporting Black-owned food brands is more than a celebration of Black History Month. It’s a commitment to diversity, quality and the stories behind these remarkable businesses. Each brand not only offers unique and delicious products but also represents a piece of the rich tapestry that is African American and African diaspora culinary tradition. By choosing to support these businesses, we help ensure their stories and contributions continue to enrich our communities and our palates.
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