A Black History Month Guide
Highlights
- Long Beach’s Black-owned businesses contribute significantly to the city’s culture and community spirit.
- The list highlights various businesses, from Devi’s Donuts to The Connection Strategist, showcasing their unique offerings.
- Support for Black-owned businesses is vital year-round, not just during Black History Month, as it strengthens the local economy.
- Let’s encourage intentional spending with these businesses to uplift families and culture in Long Beach.
- Discover and engage with the vibrant Black-owned businesses in Long Beach to support the community.
Let’s be real. Long Beach would not be Long Beach without its Black-owned businesses. The flavor, the art, the energy, the community. Black folks helped build the vibe that makes this city what it is.
So, for Black History Month, we’re showing love the LBC Vibe way. By shining a big spotlight on the Black-owned organizations that keep the city thriving all year long. This isn’t a “save for later and forget” list. This is your sign to pull up, spend your money with intention, and put your people on.
Let’s get into it.
Devi’s Donuts
Devi’s Donuts will make you rethink everything you thought about vegan desserts. This Black-owned spot in Long Beach started as a farmer’s market hustle and turned into a full-on donut destination—obsession real. Ube, crème brûlée, lavender flavors hit so soft, rich, decadent you pause mid-bite like, “This vegan?!”
Family-owned love shows in every small-batch, intentional, playful bite. Non-vegans stay recommending this with their whole chest. Black History Month must.
Address: 3600 E Anaheim St, Long Beach, CA 90804
Instagram: @devis.donuts
O the Barber
O the Barber? That’s your guy for the crispest fades and the realest vibes. Right on 4th Street, this isn’t some quick-clip spot. It’s where Long Beach gets sharp—literally. You walk in for the lineup, walk out looking like money, but you stay for the conversation, the laughs, the trust.
This barbershop is community central. Everybody knows your name, your usual cut, and probably your weekend plans. Clients don’t just come back—they bring their brothers, cousins, the whole family. Because when the barber gets you right, it’s more than hair. It’s confidence. It’s that “I got this” energy. One of those spots you protect with your recommendations.
Address: 300 e 4th street, Long Beach, California 90802
Instagram: @othebarber25
Native Sol
Native Sol on 4th Street is that earth-friendly lifestyle spot anchoring Retro Row since 2005. Owner May Salem handcrafts unique women’s clothing and accessories from deadstock, recycled, vintage fabrics—think one-of-a-kind pieces that feel alive. Plus local artisan jewelry, expanding into baby/kids/mens gear, organic teas, body care, raw foods. Inventory evolves constantly, so IG keeps you locked in on the fresh drops.
Started vending events, first storefront 2011—now a sustainable staple with workshops, healing circles, community energy that goes beyond shopping. Black History Month pull-up for conscious fits that nourish your soul and style. Pull up, cousins.
Address: 2018 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814
Instagram: @nativesol
Cocoa Ave
Cocoa Ave hits different—small college marketing class project sparked a real wine brand that went big. This Black-owned gem in Long Beach now does smooth coffees too, but those velvety reds and crisp whites? Pure sun-kissed vineyard stories, shared moments, dreams that escaped the notebook.
Every pour feels like celebration, not just drink. Gift it to your people or sip solo for that good times reminder. Black excellence bottled, Long Beach roots to tables everywhere. Black History Month toast—pull up.
Website: cocoaave.com
Instagram: @cocoa_ave
The Loft
The Loft is that modern event space you’ve been circling. Clean blank canvas with everything you actually need already there. Sound system, custom lighting, tables, chairs, Wi-Fi, easy parking, right off the 405 in Long Beach. And the reviews say people are raving. Five stars calling it clean, modern, well-maintained with owners who actually care and make it easy.
Perfect for anything. Brand activations, workshops, milestone parties, creative shoots. You bring the vision. They give you the space. Done.
Address: 3290 Cherry Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807
Website: theloft-longbeach.com
Instagram: @theloft.longbeach
Royal Gourmet Cookies
Royal Gourmet Cookies is for the serious dessert people—this Black-owned Long Beach spot takes cookies to another level. Owner Emerald doesn’t do basic. Her cookies come thick, loaded with drama, and straight fire in the best possible way. S’mores remixed with that extra twist, over-the-top chocolate chip that goes hard, plus a whole lineup of creative flavors that completely flip how you see “just a cookie.” Every bite hits different, pulling you back for more.
She’s built a full pick-up and delivery hub right here in Long Beach, with easy curbside options and apps like UberEats, Postmates, Grubhub on deck. You’ll catch her popping up around town too—at events, night markets, everywhere—boxes selling out fast because the word’s out. This Black History Month, support the cookie queen keeping Long Beach sweet and stacked.
Website: royalgourmetcookies.com
Instagram: @royalgourmetcookies
Shades of Afrika
Shades of Afrika isn’t just a store. It’s a living, breathing cultural hub that started back in 1992 with sisters Vonya and Renee Quarles noticing that Long Beach needed a spot for affordable African art, books, and products that told our story. What began as a small retail dream grew into this evolving space where people teach, learn, give, and receive—empowering self-awareness, creativity, and appreciation for our ancestors.
CEO Renee Quarles has turned it into a full center on Retro Row, stocked with African American books, black art, body oils, incense, holistic products, dashikis, and more. They host events, lectures, study groups (check their Griot Cafe open mic poetry the first Saturday of every month), and even house Natural Kinx & Waves salon right inside for natural hair magic. You walk in and feel the depth immediately—less shopping, more soul.
This is community in action. Roots. Legacy. Growth.
Address: 1001 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90802
Website: shadesofafrika.com
Instagram: @shadesofafrika
Sweet Indulgence LB
Sweet Indulgence LB turns dessert into straight art. Owner Britney’s cupcakes and treats come with floral designs, perfect color palettes, textures screaming photoshoot-ready. Then one bite hits, and they taste even better than they look—game over.
This Black-owned spot is your go-to when that dessert table needs to steal the show. Birthdays, showers, milestones, just-because self-care orders that feel like luxury.
Now Britney’s sharing the secrets through decorating classes, pulling back the curtain on piping, frosting, finishing—beginner or leveling up, no mystery left. Not just treats. Memories you bake yourself.
Instagram: @sweetindulgencelb
Hunnibuzz Web Design
Hunnibuzz is that creative marketing agency run by two powerhouses, Kiara Kensie and Giulia Triassi, who met in a CSULB web design class and said, “Let’s make this thing pop.” Based right here in Long Beach, they’re all about making marketing feel inclusive, comfortable, and straight-up attainable — especially for women of color and small businesses who need that visual glow-up.
They do it all: branding, web design, photography, strategy. From concept to launch, it’s collaboration with care, building brands that connect communities and tell stories that actually matter. They’ve worked with Uptown Long Beach, Compton G.irls Club, Urban Society, Freedom Farm Azul — turning ideas into legacies that buzz. It’s not just design. It’s impact.
Pull up if you need your vision to flourish.
Website: hunnibuzz.com
Instagram: @hunnibuzz
Brother’s Keeper BBQ
Brother’s Keeper BBQ is the real deal. Born right here in Long Beach back in 2018, but owner Maurice “Mo” Stewart been putting in work long before that. Started with pop-ups at local breweries, pulling crowds who couldn’t get enough of that smoke, turning weekend vibes into a full-on barbecue movement.
Texas-style smoking with that family twist? Yes ma’am. Mo and his crew take their time with those meats. Low. And. Slow. No shortcuts, just love on a plate. But listen, it’s bigger than the food. This barbecue breaks down walls, pulls strangers into family real quick over heavy plates and good stories. Less “transaction,” more “togetherness.”
This is where you pull up when you want flavor that stays with you and vibes that hit different.
Address: 3701 E. 4th St., Long Beach, CA 90814
Instagram: @brothers_keeperbbq
Chef Melissa Ramsey – Fresh Off the Yacht Catering
Listen, Chef Melissa Ramsay is that culinary queen right here in Long Beach. Executive Chef and Owner of Fresh Off The Yacht Catering & Events, she’s serving up creativity, precision, and straight heart on every single plate. Girl pulls inspiration from beach towns and tropical getaways she’s traveled—mixing that fresh California coast vibe with global flavors that hit fancy but feel like home.
And she’s real about community too. Sourcing from local farmers, fishermen, producers—keeping it sustainable while lifting up the small businesses around her. So when you book her, it’s not just elevated seafood and dishes people rave about for weeks. It’s flavor with layers, connection with purpose. Real moments made unforgettable.
Website: freshofftheyachtcatering.com
Instagram: @chef_melissa_ramsay
The Elemental Shop
Listen up, The Elemental Shop is that spiritual spot you didn’t know Long Beach needed until Tracy Williams brought it to life back in March 2023. This Black woman-owned passion project pulls from her love of New Orleans and Puerto Rico vibes, stocking inclusive spiritual goodies you won’t find everywhere else — candle magic books, dream dictionaries, tarot decks, herbs, intention candles, spell work supplies, all written by Black and POC authors covering protection, shadow work, Kemetic wisdom, and those less-glamorized parts of magic that society tries to shade.
Tracy built this because she was driving hours to Joshua Tree just to find what she couldn’t get locally, and now she’s flipped the script with dark woods, moody colors, and an upstairs loft for real classes on herbalism, tarot, mediumship, Reiki certification, yoga, even meditation. It’s not boho-chic whitewashed spirituality. It’s deep, it’s real, it’s powerful.
Whether you’re deep in your practice or just curious, this is where you find tools, wisdom, and that inclusive energy that says all gods, all paths, all people belong.
Address: 312 Elm Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802
Website: theelementalshop.com
Instagram: the_elemental_shop
Long Beach City Lifestyle Magazine
Long Beach City Lifestyle Magazine is that community love letter led by Black woman publisher Atira Rodriguez, putting the real MVPs of LBC on the map — the small business owners, artists, organizers, and leaders actually shaping this city.
It’s not waiting for mainstream media to catch up. This mag spotlights the stories, people, and vibes that deserve shine, working like a cultural record of everything from entrepreneurship to local legends. Atira’s vision connects us to what makes Long Beach special, month after month.
Your guide to the good stuff.
Website: citylifestyle.com/longbeach
Instagram: @longbeachcitylifestyle
Therapose LB
We love a good self-care moment, don’t we? Therapose LB is holding it down for our rest, recovery, and real recharge—yes, that counts as productivity.
A collection of independent therapists, they specialize in deep tissue that melts the week’s stress, bodywork that realigns your whole energy, holistic vibes that leave you floating. They’re creating space where you can unclench that jaw, drop those shoulders, breathe easy. No more survival mode. Just softness, healing, sustainability. Supporting them means pouring into you—because rest is resistance, cousins.
Address: 2265 N Lakewood Blvd #202, Long Beach, CA 90815
Instagram: @theraposelb
Urban Society LB
Urban Society LB is day party excellence. Born from a 2018 sports bar convo during NBA playoffs when Wes Porter and Nigel Lifsey looked around Long Beach and said, “Where’s the R&B social scene for us?” They teamed up with DJ James Turner and graphic wiz Raymond “Reggie” West—Wes bringing promoter game from Nashville, Nigel handling the business, Reggie on marketing, James spinning the hits. Just like that, they filled the void.
Their signature move is the R&Brunch—those R&B-themed monthly brunches and day parties downtown that pull young pros, creatives, locals for music that slaps, mimosas that flow, food that hits, vibes for days. Early days weren’t easy—venues said no to the new kids—but they stayed persistent, built trust, now they’re city-recognized.
Community. Culture. Celebrate. That’s the core. They host vendors, do service work, share the platform. It’s not just events (they DJ privates too). It’s culture-building, Black joy centered, customer experience on point.
Instagram: @urbansocietylb
Mom Up Shop
Mom Up Shop is all about women supporting women—we love to see it. Looks like a cute vintage spot with fire curated pieces (and yes, you’ll leave with something you didn’t know you needed). But this runs deep with local boss energy.
It’s a hub lifting women-owned businesses, every rack and shelf pouring into empowerment. And that Project WomanGood tie-in? Straight impact—advocacy, mentorship, lifelines for women rebuilding. Your next fit isn’t just style. It’s substance, community care, economic wins. Shop here, and you’re part of the movement.
Address: 60 E. 4th Street, Long Beach, California 90802
Instagram: @themomupshop
AACCLB – African American Cultural Center of Long Beach
Listen, if you’re looking for the heartbeat of Black culture in Long Beach, head straight to the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach (AACCLB). This gem at the Expo Arts Center’s South Gallery preserves, honors, and advances our heritage through exhibits, events, West African drum & dance classes, study groups, and more—mission locked in since 2019.
Born from community visioning in 2018 (shoutout Councilman Austin for the push), funded by City Council, shaped by roundtables, surveys, experts like Lord Cultural Resources. Incorporated as 501(c)3 in 2020, they’ve been monthly meetings strong since ’19, hosting poetry, lectures, Black Inventors exhibits celebrating hidden figures like Katherine Johnson. Note: temporarily closed til Oct 2025 for construction, but classes/events resume Nov—call ahead.
Gallery hours: Tue/Wed/Sat 11AM-4PM, Thu/Fri 2-7PM. Group tours? Hit ’em up. This Black-owned cultural anchor is Black History Month essential—roots, celebration, future all in one. Pull up and feel the legacy.
Address: 4321 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807
Website: aacclb.org
Instagram: @aaccoflb
The Connection Strategist™ – AnaLexicis Bridewell
I’ve got to give a humble shoutout to my own business, The Connection Strategist™, because this is part of how I pour back into Long Beach too. I’m AnaLexicis, a Long Beach-based event planner, and my whole thing is creating experiences that actually feel like something—connection, joy, and real community, not just another date on the calendar.
From speed dating nights to intimate mixers, workshops, and pop-ups that spotlight small and Black-owned businesses in Long Beach, I plan events with intention at the center. For me, it’s never just about logistics. It’s about curating spaces where people can laugh, exhale, meet someone new, and feel like they truly belong, even if it’s just for a few hours.
I work on corporate events, brand activations, community gatherings, networking mixers, social and experiential events, themed nights, and vendor markets that bring the city together in meaningful ways. Every detail—from the layout to the playlist—is designed to help people connect with each other and with the space they’re in.
If you’re planning something and want it to feel memorable and personal—not just another gathering—The Connection Strategist™ is my way of turning that vision into an experience people talk about long after it’s over.
Instagram: @theconnectionstrategist
Why It Matters
Supporting Black-owned isn’t just a February flex. It’s a forever thing.
Because when we pour into our own:
- Wealth stays circulating locally
- Families and culture get uplifted
- Dreams don’t just survive—they thrive
- Legacies get built, block by block
And baby, in Long Beach? Culture is the currency. These businesses aren’t just spots. They’re the heartbeat.
Support Black-Owned Businesses in Long Beach
Next time you’re grabbing coffee, booking a service, hunting dessert, planning that event—make it Black-owned.
Long Beach is packed with genius creators, culture keepers, flavor architects. Now you got the list. You know exactly where to start. Let’s do more than post. Let’s show up.
FAQs
Black History Month isn’t just a calendar mark—it’s a call to celebrate and protect the Black excellence that helped build Long Beach. These Black-owned businesses in Long Beach are vital to our community and they help us understand how they contribute to the culture of our city. They’re the flavor in our BBQ, the soul in our events, the art on our walls, the connection in our gatherings. Supporting them circulates wealth back into Black families, funds community programs like Mom Up Shop’s WomanGood, keeps cultural hubs like Shades of Afrika thriving with free events, and ensures the next generation of entrepreneurs has role models. When dollars leave mainstream chains and land here, they fund dreams, hire locals, preserve our stories. February spotlights it, but this support? It’s forever practice for a stronger LBC.
Every spot pulls from verified Long Beach sources—owner stories, community lists, direct IG verification. Addresses and handles listed so you DM, call, pull up yourself. These are the real ones holding down Black-owned businesses in Long Beach. Ask, connect, support.
The ones with brick and mortar shops are Retro Row/4th Street heavy (Shades of Afrika, O the Barber, Mom Up Shop), Zaferia (Devi’s), Downtown pop-ups (Urban Society), Elm Ave (Elemental Shop). Walkable clusters, easy parking. Perfect Black History Month crawl for Black-owned businesses in Long Beach.
Many post online about how you can support them: Cocoa Ave ships wines/coffees nationwide, Royal Gourmet cookies deliver. Sweet Indulgence offers online orders. Follow IG for pop-up tours. Your support keeps Black-owned businesses in Long Beach thriving from anywhere.
Shopping Black-owned businesses in Long Beach does more than fill your bag—it rebuilds the foundation of our city, block by block. Those dollars don’t vanish into corporate black holes. They stay right here, circulating through Black families who pay rent, buy groceries from local markets, send kids to after-school activities, and dream bigger. They hire our neighbors—barbers, bakers, planners, healers—who live in the same streets, shop at the same stores, strengthening the entire economic web.
Take Mom Up Shop: every vintage find directly funds Project WomanGood, giving women real lifelines—mentorship, advocacy, job training to escape cycles and rebuild. Shades of Afrika hosts free poetry nights, study groups, cultural talks that feed souls and spark the next artists, writers, leaders. Brother’s Keeper BBQ creates jobs and community tables where strangers become family. Chef Melissa sources from local farmers, keeping multiple local businesses in Long Beach alive in one event.
This isn’t charity. It’s legacy-building. Your coffee purchase at Cocoa Ave, cookie grab from Royal Gourmet, event at The Loft—each choice preserves our flavor, our stories, our sound. It funds the culture that makes Long Beach Long Beach. In a world quick to erase us, every dollar says, “We’re here. We’re thriving. We’re the heartbeat.” Support Black-owned businesses in Long Beach, and you’re voting for a future where our kids inherit wealth, a sense of belonging, and the confidence to get after it. That’s the real flex.
The LBC grows daily! Tag @lbcvibe with faves. This hits 20+ gems, but room for more. Black History Month means amplifying all Black-owned businesses in Long Beach. Drop recs below, cousins.
