Black-owned independent bookstores play a critical role in communities all across our country. I wanted to show my support, so I dropped in to surprise the folks from @MahoganyBooks & the Very Smart Brothas Book Club. Take a look.

Our Black-Owned DMV series continues this month as @ItsBrittWaters & @DJHeatDC visit Grounded. This women-owned shop in Southeast D.C. offers everything from a cafe and plants shop to a wellness studio. ☕️ 🧘‍♂️ 🪴 Check it out:

Our Black Owned DMV series continues this month highlighting My Little Rosebud. Mika creates floral arrangements perfect for any occasion! 💐 🌹 Learn more:

The number of Black-owned businesses in the U.S. with at least one employee topped 200,000 for the first time ever in 2023, a 62% jump from 2017, according to the latest report from Brookings Institution. In honor of these employers and builders, @ForbesBLK set out to find 25 Black-owned employer businesses worth watching. Read more: 📸: Robert Severi for Forbes; Jamel Toppin for Forbes; Cooper Neill/Bloomberg; Cody Pickens for Forbes; Aaron Kotowski for Forbes; Courtesy Leon Richardson; Tim Tadder for Forbes; Courtesy Travis Mack; ZumaPress/Newscom; Courtesy Todd Weaver; Taylor Hill/Getty Images; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic/Getty Images; Cody Pickens for Forbes Edit Story

Just imagine if White people went to White owned business and made videos like this “Here I am at my Black-owned gym. Everything Black-owned — I do love supporting my people and that's mandatory” This woman is in Los Angeles, California and we should stop pretending this is anything other than racist The location is Stronghouse Fitness in West Hollywood and there is a stereotype with black owned businesses that they’re typically very expensive I looked up the monthly membership here, it’s $170-300 per month. The cheapest monthly plan is $170 Right into the stereotype

I had the pleasure of attending @15PercentPledge’s Annual Gala. It’s an incredible organization supporting Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs, ensuring they have the resources and support they need to grow and thrive. A portion of the proceeds from the weekend went to support businesses impacted in Altadena. @emmagrede @aurorajames

"Cringe: Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey looking like the classic white guy dancing caricature." Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is getting roasted online after video shows him moving his hips and shoulders to hip-hop music while wearing sunglasses at the annual Black Entrepreneur State Fair. The clip quickly spread across social media, with critics mocking the progressive mayor's moves as a "cringe" performance and a "walking humiliation ritual." The weeklong event celebrating Black-owned businesses was held Aug. 9-15 at Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis.

A legendary smokehouse in Kansas City. Hickory smoke rolling out of brick chimneys since nineteen forty-six. I stood before the wooden ordering counter, staring at an item listed as Burnt Ends. My tactical memories flared. In fortress warfare, the burnt ends were the blackened cedar beams pulled from a ruined citadel after the gates fell. Was this the meal of disgraced commanders? A dish of penance for men who lost their banner? For seven full minutes I stood at the glass, arms folded across my chest, refusing to reveal my shameful ignorance to the cashier. Big Darryl, a towering pitmaster wielding a twelve-inch brisket knife like a halberd, stepped up to the counter and leaned down. Buddy, you been staring at that sign like it insulted your mother. You have not the faintest clue what a burnt end is, do you? Shame choked my throat. My ears burned scarlet. I bowed my head and forced out the three hardest words in the warrior tongue. I do not. Big Darryl’s face split into a wide, golden grin. He brought the knife down on a smoking black brisket, carved off a glistening charred corner dripping with dark molasses bark, dipped it into warm sauce, and laid it on brown butcher paper. Put that in your mouth right now, Darryl ordered. Then you can ask me why. I placed the dark cube upon my tongue. It did not chew. It dissolved into woodsmoke, black sugar, and unconditional grace. Tears sprang from my eyes. I looked up at the giant with trembling lips. Why? Darryl slammed his fist on the cutting board with pure joy: Because the smoke loves the corners best, little brother! I ordered three pounds. Ignorance was annihilated in a single bite.