Featured Stories
Stories of resilience, innovation, and excellence from Black-owned businesses building the future of California's economy.
From a shipping container to a national brand — the story of Keba Konte and specialty coffee.
In 2014, Keba Konte started Red Bay Coffee with a simple belief: that specialty coffee could be a vehicle for social justice, equity, and economic empowerment in Black communities. Today, Red Bay is one of the fastest-growing specialty coffee brands in America.
By BlackBiz Editorial · July 12, 2026
Find This Business →
Los Angeles, CA · 7 min read
When Melissa Butler pitched The Lip Bar on Shark Tank and got called "a colorful Muppet," she didn't fold — she doubled down. That determination turned into a brand now carried in Target stores nationwide and beloved by millions.
By BlackBiz Editorial · July 15, 2026
California · 4 min read
Since 2020, Black-owned bookstores across California have seen unprecedented growth — not just in sales, but in community impact. These businesses have become gathering spaces, cultural archives, and economic anchors for their neighborhoods.
By Community Voices · July 18, 2026
Sacramento, CA · 6 min read
When Denise Williams left her corporate job to open Healing Hands Wellness, her family thought she was making a mistake. Three years later, she has a 6-month waitlist and a team of four licensed therapists helping Sacramento's Black community prioritize self-care.
By Health & Wellness Desk · July 20, 2026
San Jose, CA · 8 min read
Black Tech Ventures has become a launchpad for dozens of Black-led startups across California. Their founders-first approach — combining funding, mentorship, and community — is producing companies that are disrupting industries from fintech to healthcare tech.
By Tech Insider · July 22, 2026
Long Beach, CA · 5 min read
At Melanin Kitchen, Chef Marcus Thompson doesn't see a contradiction between tradition and innovation. His menu reads like a love letter to Black Southern cooking — then surprises you with techniques pulled from fine dining kitchens in Paris and Tokyo.
By Culinary Guide · July 25, 2026
The BlackBiz Local Spotlight series celebrates the entrepreneurs, founders, and community builders behind California's most inspiring Black-owned businesses. From Oakland coffee roasters to Los Angeles beauty brands, these stories reflect the resilience, creativity, and vision driving a new era of Black economic power.
Black-owned businesses in California contribute billions to the state's economy each year. They create jobs, build community wealth, and provide culturally relevant products and services to underserved communities. Every spotlight story is a window into what's possible when talent, community, and opportunity align.
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