A major, first-of-its-kind study by the African American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) recently quantified the economic impact of Black-owned businesses in Greater Cincinnati. The study concluded that about 800 Black-owned businesses in Greater Cincinnati generated at least $1.4 billion in economic impact last year.
Conducted in partnership with the University of Cincinnati's Economics Center, the research also revealed that these businesses employed 8,680 people representing a combined payroll of about $540 million. Additionally, these Black-owned businesses accounted for $1.2 million in sales tax for the metro Ohio counties of Brown, Butler, Clermont, Hamilton and Warren, and $6.2 million in sales tax for the states of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
“This is the first chamber of commerce study, in the nation, to quantify the economic impact of Black businesses. It shows a robust number of growing enterprises, jobs created, and communities positively impacted by Black businesses,” said Eric H. Kearney, President and CEO of the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce “We will build on that data by turning our focus to growing the next generation of entrepreneurs and ensuring a competitive Greater Cincinnati.”
Uptown is home to many unique small businesses, including many Black-owned businesses. “The results highlight the importance of Black-owned businesses on our economy,” said Beth Robinson, President and CEO of Uptown Consortium, Inc. “We look forward to more opportunities to support the unique minority businesses located in Uptown and throughout Greater Cincinnati.”
It’s in this spirit—and in celebration of Black History Month, which recently ended last week---that we wanted to take this opportunity to highlight several of Uptown’s unique Black-owned businesses.
Alabama Que
Alabama Que is a barbeque favorite restaurant on Short Vine serving favorites such as pulled pork, pork rib tips, beef brisket, beef ribs, smoked chicken, smoked salmon and its specialty turkey tips. Learn more about Alabama Que on its website.
Pause Cincy is a collective of several health and wellness focused businesses, including:
Matunda Juicery offers fresh cold-pressed juices by Timothy Harris
Perfect Touch Helps provide massage services by Lolitha Perry
Diamyn's Crystal Bar sells crystals and stones and hosts mediation and wellness classes by Diamyn Rembert
District 78, founded by Erikka Gray, is a lifestyle brand and vendor of handcrafted candles. Learn more about Pause Cincy on its Facebook page.
Island Frydays
Island Frydays is a Caribbean-themed restaurant and catering business in Corryville. View the full menu and place an order online on Island Fryday’s website.
Classix Barbershop
Classix Barbershop in Corryville offers services including haircuts, shaves, facials and skin care for men. For more information about Classix Barbershop, visit its website.
Conscious Kitchen
Conscious Kitchen is a restaurant located on Short Vine that focuses on serving healthier options, including vegetarian and vegan dishes. View Conscious Kitchen’s menu on its Facebook page.
Kilimanjaro African Heritage
Kilimanjaro African Heritage is a retail store offering African jewelry, clothing, art, musical instruments and other items. Shop online on Kilimanjaro African Art’s website or visit the store on Ludlow Avenue.
Cozy Home Child Care and Learning Center
Cozy Home Child Care and Learning Center started as a home base program in 2018 and relocated to the Avondale Town Center. This institution is committed to serving families between the ages of six weeks and 12 years old and supports remote learning for the entire family. With a robust list of services including live camera access and catered meals, parents in Uptown have a new option for childcare. Learn more here.
Renfro Funeral Services
They are a long-standing Black-owned business in Avondale providing funeral services. Visit its website here.
The Sweet Place Bakery
The Sweet Place Bakery, is a Black-owned business located on Short Vine in Clifton. They provide a variety of sweet treats from Thai rolled ice cream to delicious cupcakes and cookies and funnel cakes, churros, cakes, and pies.
Robert Craig is a 2017 graduate of the University of Cincinnati, is the owner, along with his parents, Robert and Allison Craig. While Robert attended UC, he dreamed of bringing his family’s bakery business (based in Cleveland, Ohio) to Cincinnati. The bakery was opened in 2018.
Here are additional resources:
For a larger list of African American-owned businesses, visit The Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce’s membership directory.
You can also read more about local Black-owned businesses in the University of Cincinnati's student-run publication, The News Record.
The Herald is also a good resource.