TOLEDO, Ohio — In the wake of #BlackoutTuesday on social media, which featured black squares on timelines to show support for the black community following the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, some people are wondering what concrete steps can be taken to offer support and solidarity.
Action can take many forms, such as speaking out against injustice, having an open conversation with people who are not like you, and educating yourself on all that has occurred to bring the nation where it is today.
Taking action can also include making a conscious effort to support local businesses within your community.
In an effort to make this more than a hashtag, we're putting together a list of businesses that are owned by black men and women within the northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan area.
This list will continue to grow, and if you have a business to add, please text it and a description of what the business' specialty to 419-248-1100. We'd love to see pictures of the business, too!
BAKERIES
- Somethin' Sweet Desserts and Treats
- Sweet Experience, soy base non dairy ice cream and cheesecake in a jar
- Sweetique Cakes and Treats
- UNB Soul Food
- Vegan Taste
- YaYa's Sugar Island, cookies and sweets
- Zoe’s food truck
BREWERIES/DISTILLERIES
CLEANING SERVICES
EATERIES/FOOD
- Ann's Bar-B-Que
- Big C's Barbeque
- The Caribbean Breeze Restaurant and Lounge
- DuweyWings
- FatBoyz by Al & Zoe
- Gottis Tacos
- HotBox Order App
- Island Soul
- J & D's Pizza
- J's Catering
- Jamaican Spice
- J'maes Home Cooking
- Jo Jo's Food Truck
- Josephine's Kitchen
- Kay's Soul Food Kitchen
- Kingdom's Kitchen Catering
- Labaron's on the Move - Toledo Wings
- Marcus's Grille & Groove
- Pawpaws Smokin Pit
- Po Mo' s ribs
- Rachel's Catering
- Ruby's Kitchen
- Smashdawgz Food Truck
- Ten7even, Breakfast/Brunch on the go service
BATH AND BODY
BARBERS AND BEAUTY
- Beauty In A Box - Non-invasive Lipo and Professional teeth whitening
- Beauty Mark Luxury Beauty Bar (opening June 20)
- Bridgette's Beauty Salon
- The Kitchen Salon
- The Lash Room
- The Nail Bar
- Paris "The Nail Surgeon"
- Platinum Sky Nail Bar & Beauty Lounge
- Powell's Barber & Beauty Supply
- Shine Boutique
- Studio 32NINE Salon Suites & Spa
- Goodbar Beauty & Aesthetics
- Pun-Kin-place Celebration Center
- Renny Chopped Em barber
- The Social Lounge Salon and Boutique
- Supreme Cutz
- Tamed Beauty Boutique
CAR CARE
- Glassman Auto Detailling
- Ofats AutoSpa & Detailing
- Details by Sino, 48 N. Westwood, Toledo
- Kruz N Kleen, 1841 Dorr St.
- Walker and Sons Auto
CHILD CARE/EDUCATION
- 3 Hearts Learning Institute and Childcare
- Hop, Skip, Jump Family Childcare, 419-699-6836
- Intellectuals Learning Center, 2101 Monroe St. Ste. C, 419-214-0530
- A Mother's Touch
- Ms.Cathy's Learning Center
CONSTRUCTION/ HOME IMPROVEMENT
- BMJ Enterprises, handyman services and property maintenance
- H & H Residential and Commercial Services, cleaning and painting
- Hill & Co. Ventures Commercial and Residential Painting, 427 W. Dussel Dr., Ste 296
- Kynard Enterprises, property and building maintenance
- McNair Mowing and Lawn Service
- M.B. Lawn Care
- Team King Lawn Care, 419-819-9826
- Will's Asphalt Seal
FASHION
- Ayaiya LLC
- Eden Couture
- Exclusive Goodbar Designs
- HER Boutique, Women's clothing in all sizes
- J Adams Customs, Shoe customization
FITNESS
GROCERIES AND CARRYOUTS
- Village Carryout, 1407 Bernath Parkway
HEALTH AND NUTRITION
- Juicy Organics
- Rock It Nutrition, Meal replacing shakes and energy teas
HOUSEWARES
- Made by Misha, soy candles
MEDICAL/HOME CARE
- Twix 'n' Between - Glasses on the Go, mobile optician
- Two Hands, One Heart CPR Training
- A Wyse Choice Home Care, Prentice Avenue, Toledo
PARTY/WEDDING PLANNERS
- Expressions Etc., Wedding and event designer
- Par Excel Events, Wedding and event planning
- She Dezigns, Party Entertainment Service, Party supplies and rentals
PHOTOGRAPHY/ART/DIGITAL SOLUTIONS
PUBLICATIONS
REAL ESTATE
RELIGIOUS
SHOPPING
SOCIAL SERVICES
- A Better Life 2 Embrace, Substance Abuse/Mental Health (youth-specific)
UNIQUE ITEMS AND GIFTS
For more complete lists and resources, visit the following:
The Toledo African American Chamber of Commerce is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization of northwest Ohio's Black-owned businesses and corporate partners formed to accelerate economic development and entrepreneurship.
And business owners, you can permanently add your business and all its information to our Love Local directory. This is completely free and is a resource for our viewers to use to know what businesses are open, and what businesses are hiring. That can be accessed here: wtol.com/lovelocal