Join us in celebrating Black History Month! We always look forward to BHM events like the Portland Jazz Festival, which is being held February 16-25. This music festival includes artists who are driving the evolution of jazz alongside Grammy Award-winning masters. Black History Month gives us an opportunity to recognize the contributions, arts, history, and culture of the African American community. We also encourage you to frequent the Black-owned businesses and organizations listed below and throughout Portland during the month of February and all year long.
- Alberta: Fuel Cafe serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, cocktails, and more. Homemade biscuits are a highlight!
- Beaumont: Puddletown Games & Puzzles is a great ‘one-stop’ shop for both classic and unique games alike.
- Central Eastside: Parker + Simone creates handmade tops and tunics from unique heritage textiles sourced from all over the world. You can find her work over at one of our favorite shops in Portland, Cargo.
- Division/Clinton: Check out Third Eye Books & Gifts’ extensive selection of African-centered books, accessories, and gifts, the largest in the Portland Metro Area.
- Foster: Detroit-style pizza and “balanced beer for the people!” Need we say more? Ok, we will: Assembly Brewing is also the first Black-owned brewery in the state of Oregon!
- Gateway: Visit business owner Satawa at Star Halal Market for organic, local, and fresh meats and dry goods. Check out IRCO’s cultural center, Africa House, the only linguistically-specific center for African immigrants and refugees living in Oregon.
- Lents: Craving Jamaican cuisine? FiMi Kingston serves up traditional jerk chicken, pork, and sausage, as well as a variety of bowls and sides (including fried plantains!).
- Lloyd: Satisfy your sweet tooth with Joe Brown’s Carmel Corn, which has been a Portland institution since 1932 and offers flavored popcorn, nuts, candy, cookies, cotton candy, and Hana’s Snowballs.
- Midway: Sister’s Ethiopian Restaurant serves authentic, delicious Ethiopian food to a Portland audience. Their specialty is Injera flatbread with a variety of curries, and the veggie combo is highly recommended!
- Old Town: Deadstock Coffee is a sneaker-themed coffee shop that provides a welcoming space with a barbershop feel. Plus, they roast their own beans!
- Soul District: Champions Barbershop is an upscale barber shop that offers “Champion level” grooming and customer service. Kee’s Loaded Kitchen serves soul food including smoked brisket, fried chicken, mac and cheese, fresh bread, loaded baked potatoes, and desserts.
- St. Johns: Club Sky High, celebrating its 10 year anniversary in St Johns, is a local, family-owned cannabis dispensary that specializes in strains that are grown and lab-tested in Oregon. Jamaica House brings you authentic, rich flavors from the Caribbean. Chef Simba Puma, under his grandmother’s wing, learned to make native Jamaican dishes like Ackee and salt fish-Jamaica’s national dish.
- Williams District: Albina Music Trust offers a self-guided historical Albina Soul Walk tour where you can learn about the history of the Albina music scene. This is an incredible combination of history and music and a great organization to support. Self Enhancement Inc. is a comprehensive, one-stop resource for African American youth and families and others seeking culturally responsive services.
This list is non-exhaustive. There are plenty of other ways to celebrate Black History Month. If you need more ideas, the Mercatus Business Directory has plentiful options for supporting Black-owned businesses. How do you plan to support your local Black-owned business? Show us on Instagram and Facebook.