Culinary Check-In: See What’s Cooking With The Black Women In Food Grant Winners

"When given the right resources, Black-owned food businesses can truly thrive."

By EatOkra

Last year, in partnership with Dine Diaspora and UberEats, EatOkra allocated $10,000 grants to Black women-owned restaurants across the United States.

We checked in with three of these businesses a year later to learn how the funding propelled their brands, what being a Black woman entrepreneur means today, and what they've got cooking up.

How did the grant help propel your business?

"Receiving The Black Women in Food Grant was a game changer for us. With the funding, we were able to purchase two freezers, which significantly improved our storage capacity and efficiency. We also invested in a small AC split unit, making our kitchen space much more comfortable for our team, especially during long working hours. These upgrades have not only streamlined our operations but also allowed us to take on larger orders and reduce waste both of which contribute to our long-term growth." - Belén Bailey, founder of Sweets by Belen Dessert Boutique

"The Black Women in Food grant helped propel our business by allowing us to upgrade to a more professional looking website with upgraded features, which allow our customers to effortlessly order online. The funding was 100% allocated towards the website. Quite frankly, we were shocked by the cost. In fact, we had to whittle our vision down quite a bit to fit the budgetary reality." - Aisha White, co-founder of The Kupkake Fairy

"The Black Women in Food grant provided a much-needed boost to Mo’ Brunch + Brews, allowing us to make strategic investments that elevated our brand presence and deepened our customer engagement. A major focus was marketing—we worked with a consultant to refine our messaging and create a targeted strategy that would strengthen our digital and in-person reach. We also invested in SEO training and website optimization, which made a noticeable impact on our online visibility, bringing in more inquiries and foot traffic. Updating our branding materials, including signage and menus, helped enhance the customer experience, making our space feel even more welcoming and polished. Another key area of growth was improving our content creation process. We incorporated creative apps and design tools that allowed us to edit videos, enhance images, and create engaging promotional materials more efficiently. This gave us greater control over our branding while streamlining the way we produce content for social media and marketing campaigns." - Chasitie Lindsay, co-founder of Mo' Brunch + Brews

What does it mean to you to be a Black woman-owned food business today?

"As an Afro-Latina and Afro-Peruvian woman, being in the food industry is both an honor and a responsibility. It means carrying forward the rich culinary traditions of my heritage while also breaking barriers in spaces where our presence is still growing. Representation matters, and I take great pride in showcasing the flavors and stories of my culture through my business. It also means standing as an example for other Afro-Latina entrepreneurs, showing that success is possible despite the challenges we often face. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of a community that uplifts Black women in food, and I hope to continue inspiring and opening doors for others." - Belén Bailey

"Being a Black woman-owned food business at this point in time is more important than ever. The world feels quite polarized and fractured. By contrast, being self-employed feels very secure. Despite everything going on (i.e. soaring egg costs), I know how to hustle, make connections and turn a profit. It's important for young people to see that, with solid decision making, money can still be made in the food industry." - Aisha White

"Being a Black woman in the food industry today is both empowering and challenging. There’s so much momentum behind supporting Black-owned businesses, and we’re seeing a shift where our voices, flavors, and contributions are being recognized in ways they haven’t been before. At the same time, there are still significant barriers when it comes to funding, visibility, and breaking into larger markets. For me, owning Mo’ Brunch + Brews isn’t just about running a business—it’s about creating a space where culture, community, and food intersect in a meaningful way. It’s about proving that Black women belong in every part of the industry, from ownership to leadership, and ensuring that future generations see what’s possible. This grant wasn’t just financial support—it was validation that our work matters and that we deserve the same opportunities to build, grow, and leave a lasting impact in this space." - Chasitie Lindsay

What are you looking forward to this year as it relates to your business?

"This year is an exciting one for us! We’re expanding with a second location, which will allow us to reach more customers and introduce new experiences, like our upcoming Wine and Desserts events. We’re also focusing on strengthening our community presence, collaborating with other local businesses, and continuing to innovate with flavors that celebrate Latin American traditions. Looking ahead, I hope to keep growing sustainably while maintaining the quality and heart that make Sweets by Belen special." - Belén Bailey

"As the year progresses, I'm looking forward to a more robust approach to our food trailer events. Already, we've booked multiple events and have already made many connections in regards to our networking. We're looking forward to a very productive year." - Aisha White

"One of the things we’ve really leaned into is creating more experiences for our guests, like our family paint & sips, which have been an amazing way to bring people together beyond just food. We’re also looking at ways to refine and expand our menu, introducing seasonal dishes and experimenting with new flavors that reflect the creativity and culture behind Mo’ Brunch + Brews. Beyond that, I’m really excited about collaboration—partnering with local businesses, artists, and creatives to build something that goes beyond just a restaurant and becomes a true community hub. The long-term vision is to continue growing while maintaining the heart of what we do—creating a space that not only serves great food but also fosters connection, culture, and legacy." - Chasitie Lindsay