August is National Black Business Month! How are you celebrating?

Let’s celebrate the rich heritage, culture, talents and dreams that black entrepreneurs expand throughout every zip code in Philadelphia. 

The City of Philadelphia recognizes the abundant legacy of black businesses in our city, as they continue to provide critical goods and services to residents. We are committed to advancing economic opportunities that can support the livelihoods of our multicultural business owners and their families. 

Black businesses are represented in many sectors, including barbershops, coffee shops, bookshops, retail, hair salons, technology, restaurants, real estate, arts and entertainment, finance, cosmetics, and so many more. Our goal, alongside economic development partners, is to continue helping them start, operate, grow and thrive. The Department of Commerce’s multilingual business services managers provide entrepreneurs of all backgrounds with one-on-one support, education, and customer service in Philadelphia. Staff meet each entrepreneur based on their needs to help connect them with City services and available resources citywide. 

Celebrate and amplify black businesses

The African American Chamber of Commerce has launched a new campaign — Invest in Black Philly! Preserve, Promote, and Prioritize Black-owned businesses in the city of Philadelphia! Use #InvestinBlackPhilly and #PhillyBlackBusiness in your posts to encourage visitors and locals to share photos of themselves shopping at a Black-owned store. Connect with the African American Chamber of Commerce and join the Invest in Black Philly Facebook and LinkedIn pages. Below are additional ways to celebrate and amplify black businesses:

  • Explore curated list of some of our city’s Black-owned businesses. These include from the Free Library of Philadelphia, Visit Philadelphia and Campus Philly. Black-owned businesses are plentiful and bring joy to neighborhoods across the city. 
  • Share positive reviews. Let’s encourage black businesses to keep pursuing their dreams, passion and innovative ideas. Take a couple seconds to leave a positive review for a local business that you love. Support artisans, creatives, and marketplaces. The more we help each other, the more we thrive.
  • Attend events. Connect and network with like-minded individuals with a desire to help black-owned businesses grow now and all-year long. 

Wednesday, August 16: The African American Chamber of Commerce is celebrating National Black Business Month with an expo featuring workshops, vendors and empowerment speakers. The expo is designed to further the Chamber’s goal to engage, enlighten and empower our members connecting them to real resources that will help them grow and sustain their businesses.

Wednesday, August 23: The Department of Commerce launched Tech Talks series as an opportunity to convene the tech community in Philadelphia, share resources, network, discuss innovative ideas, mix and mingle. Attendees including BIPOC tech entrepreneurs will hear from industry leaders on the keys to elevate within the Tech Ecosystem. This event is great for founders, technologists, and startups.

Shop small and invest in black businesses

Philadelphia has dozens of commercial corridors, which are anchors for communities across the city. From Germantown to South Philly to the Northeast, visit diverse shopping districts with black-owned businesses all over the city now and throughout the year. When you shop small, you also support the health of our local environments, while stimulating the local economy. Some of the commercial areas with black-owned businesses include: 

Southwest Philadelphia 

All year long, businesses in Southwest Philadelphia offer cultural cuisines, crafts, sales and good cheer! Come explore Elmwood Avenue, Woodland Avenue and Chester Avenue, which includes an abundant presence of African arts and culture.

North 5th Street 

All year long, businesses along North 5th Street offer fun, sales, and good cheer! Come explore North 5th, one of the most diverse and international commercial corridors throughout Philadelphia. Shop where global is local.

Manayunk

More than 300 businesses call Manayunk home!  Explore the Manayunk business directory and shop small with local black-owned businesses as you celebrate Black Business Month.

South Street 

Shop small and support BIPOC-owned businesses. Visit South Street for festive food, shopping deals, night festivals, arts experiences. South Street is home to over 400 businesses.

Germantown 

Grab a friend or family member and visit black businesses throughout the Germantown neighborhood. #ShopLocalGermantown and support your neighborhood businesses with strong roots in the community.

East Falls

Need to take care of an errand? Looking for a good place to snag lunch or dinner? In need of a good handyman? East Falls businesses have you covered including with black-owned businesses filled with critical goods and services.

East Passyunk Ave

East Passyunk Avenue has boutiques featuring one-of-a-kind items, plus acclaimed restaurants and cafes providing delicious food and beverages. Your commitment to shopping locally can mean a world of difference for independent black-owned businesses now and throughout the year.

Learn more about Philadelphia's commercial corridors