We’re all about that #shoplocal life, and August is the perfect month to highlight another hashtag we’re all about: #buyblack. August is National Black Business Month, where we celebrate the vital role Black business owners play in small-business entrepreneurship and the struggle for diversity and equality.
We know we’d be lost if we didn’t have some of our local Black business owners – what would life be like without Mauvette’s jerk chicken? Seriously – her food is the truth. But she’s not the only one! Here are 6 Black-owned businesses to visit this August and all year round!
1. Mauvette’s Caribbean Fusion
Mauvette is a household name in Athens because her food is unrealistically good. If your friends are real friends, they’re using Mauvette to cater their parties. Originally from Jamaica, Mauvette’s currently raising money to open her own brick and mortar store. Honestly, nothing would be cooler.
2. Iris Rose Wellness Massage
Iris Butcher is an OU alum and a licensed massage therapist offering several kinds of therapeutic massages that last anywhere from 25 to 110 minutes. She also offers prenatal massage, a back, neck and shoulders targeted massage, and, the local favorite: The Grand Athenian.
3. The Shack
Previously called Mike’s Dog Shack, The Shack is an Athens staple owned by OU alumnus Mike Carson. That little nook of a shop next to Athena Cinema is a super-efficient carryout and a bit of a local secret for great prices on beer and seltzers. They also sell bulk, if anyone’s planning to throw a party anytime soon…
4. SWIMPRINTED
Another local business started by OU alums, SWIMPRINTED is a direct-to-garment apparel shop that offers high-quality, custom prints to both individuals and business owners. They’re especially fond of bobcat-themed prints, of course. #OUohyeah.
5. Harvest of Athens
Have your medical card? Harvest of Athens is a great way to support local Ohio growers, formulators, and vendors of medical cannabis products. The Harvest of Ohio franchise is majority owned by the first Black woman to ever own a dispensary! Talk about breaking barriers.
6. Tablertown People of Color Museum
David Butcher could not be more of a local – he’s traced his genealogy back to his 8x great-grandfather Michael, the son of a Virginia plantation owner who fled with his enslaved wife to Ohio in 1830. Michael chose Ohio so he could free his wife and six children, and once settled here, he bought each of his kids a farm to settle for themselves. David is a direct ancestor of one of their six children. That’s, like, 10 generations of local Black entrepreneurship!
Butcher founded The Tablertown People of Color Museum in Stewart, Athens County to break down stereotypes and encourage pride in family lineages. It is a super-unique and salient way to educate yourself on a small part of Black history in Southeast Ohio. Plus, you support a local business; it’s a win-win.
Now get out there and support our Black business owners and the entrepreneurial spirit of Athens! Happy National Black Business Month!