Best and Worst Cities for BIPOC-Owned Businesses
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Supporting businesses owned by Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) is an important step to reaching racial equality. But, oftentimes, it's hard to find these businesses when you don't know where to look.
Being able to find a BIPOC business in the United States depends on where you are. But the diversity of metro areas is somewhat shocking. Some large cities do far worse than smaller ones in terms of business representation.
These are the best cities for BIPOC businesses in America. And the worst.
Worst Metro Areas for BIPOC-Owned Businesses
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Let's rip off the Band-Aid and go straight into the cities that are failing at having diversity in their business.
The rankings are from Ondeck's "BIPOC Business Report," which measures the gap between the percentage of a city's population that is non-white American and the percentage of BIPOC-owned businesses.
Which cities fared the worst in the report? The answer may shock you.
10. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, North Carolina and South Carolina
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Population: 2.63 million
BIPOC population: 42 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 21 percent
Note: Population numbers for metro area populations.
BIPOC Business to Support in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia: Red@28th
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Red really does dominate Red@28th. This unique cocktail and hookah bar is all about the aesthetics, providing you with endless selfie opportunities.
Once you put your phone away, you can enjoy unique cocktails and an upscale hookah experience. Live music, open mic events and karaoke nights are also part of the program.
9. Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, California
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Population: 446,499
BIPOC population: 59 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 29 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara: Brazilian Cultural Arts Center of Santa Barbara
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Take a class at the Brazilian Cultural Arts Center of Santa Barbara. Afro-Brazilian owner Mariano Silva showcases his country's traditions with dance, drumming and martial arts classes.
If you don't want to take a class, you can still support them by checking out their event schedule and enjoying one of their cultural performances.
8. Lafayette, Louisiana
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Population: 478,384
BIPOC population: 35 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 17 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in Lafayette: Glow Flow Yoga
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Join a class at the Glow Flow Yoga to center yourself while supporting a Black woman-owned business.
You can choose between individual or group classes.
7. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, Illinois and Wisconsin
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Population: 9.45 million
BIPOC population: 50 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 24 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin: Indian Clay Pot
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Treat yourself to a mouthwatering meal at Indian Clay Pot, one of the best Indian restaurants in the U.S.
The restaurant specializes in dishes cooked in traditional clay pots.
It makes for earthy flavors and very tender textures.
6. Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Arizona
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Population: 5.05 million
BIPOC population: 46 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 22 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale: Palabras Bilingual Bookstore or Sagrado
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Brush up on your Spanish at Palabras Bilingual Bookstore, the only one of its kind in Phoenix (which is surprising, given that the Hispanic people make up 42.6 percent of the population).
If you're not interested in learning Spanish, but do want to know more about Latino culture, visit the Sagrado. Translating to "the sacred," this art gallery and community center showcases works by Latinos.
5. Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, Nevada
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Population: 2.31 million
BIPOC population: 61 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 21 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise: 8 Ounce Korean Steak House
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Las Vegas has an endless array of restaurants offering anything your stomach could ever desire. But we'd still recommend 8 Ounce Korean Steak House over most other places.
Boasting high-quality, authentic Korean BBQ, the restaurant is a whole experience. Meat is grilled right in front of you as the table is filled with side dishes to calm your hunger and soju to get you merry.
4. Jackson, Mississippi
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Population: 594,806
BIPOC population: 54 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 25 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in Jackson: Foot Print Farms
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Do an excursion out to Foot Print Farms, a Black-owned farm that provides fresh produce to the city.
The farm offers tours, where you can learn more about food production and even take a few archery lessons.
You'll probably leave with a whole basket of produce that'll have you going to the farmers market from then on.
3. New Orleans-Metairie, Louisiana
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Population: 1.27 million
BIPOC population: 52 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 24 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in New Orleans-Metairie: Duchess Bed & Breakfast or Mardi Gras Mambo Tour
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Supporting Black-owned businesses is incredibly easy in New Orleans, despite their numbers being astonishingly low.
Start by staying at the Duchess Bed & Breakfast. Then, join a Mardi Gras Mambo Tour, which promises to take you to the hidden and historic parts of the city tourists usually don't get to see.
2. Brunswick, Georgia
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Population: 112,370
BIPOC population: 33 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 15 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in Brunswick: Jerk Shack
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If you're a fan of Jamaican food, don't miss out on the absolutely perfect experience that is the Jerk Shack.
This low-key joint may be casual, but their food is authentically Jamaican and always on point.
1. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, Michigan
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Population: 4.31 million
BIPOC population: 36 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 16 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn: Garden Theater
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One of the best things to do in Detroit is to catch a show at the Garden Theater.
This Black-owned cultural institution has been reopened since 2012, bringing live music, entertainment and unique experiences to the city.
Best Metro Areas for BIPOC-Owned Businesses
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But not everything is terrible. There are also several metro areas that are doing a great job at supporting BIPOC communities and business owners.
These cities have a relatively low gap between the percentage of BIPOC-owned businesses and the non-white American population.
9. Evansville, Indiana and Kentucky (Tie)
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Population: 358,676
BIPOC population: 17 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 16 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in Evansville: The Wine Down
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Need to wind down? Head to Newburgh and spend some time at The Wine Down. This wine bar is owned by a married couple, who sought to create a place to kick back and relax and to bring jazz, blues and soul to the Evansville metro area.
Visit during the weekend for live performances featuring local and national bands. Isolated igloos are available to be reserved.
9. Saint Cloud, Minnesota (Tie)
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Population: 202,996
BIPOC population: 17 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 16 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in Saint Cloud: Strive Community Publishing or Krewe
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Even without traveling to Minnesota, you can shop online at Strive Community Publishing, which specializes in books written by Black authors.
You can also head to Saint Joseph, which is part of the Saint Cloud metropolitan area, and get some absurdly delicious food at Krewe. The basis for the menu is inspired by New Orleans' culinary tradition, but you'll also find worldwide flavors from Vietnam, Ireland, Italy and other countries.
7. Idaho Falls, Idaho (Tie)
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Population: 145,643
BIPOC population: 18 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 17 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in Idaho Falls: Jalisco's
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For authentic Mexican food, look no further than Jalisco's. The family-owned establishment has been voted Best Mexican Restaurant in Idaho Falls for seven consecutive years.
As the name suggests, the restaurant specializes in food from the region of Jalisco (the same region that brings you tequila). But you'll also find dishes from other parts of Mexico, as well as some Tex-Mex items for the less adventurous eaters.
7. Sioux Falls, South Dakota (Tie)
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Population: 276,730
BIPOC population: 18 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 17 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in Sioux Falls: Swamp Daddy's Cajun Kitchen
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Swamp Daddy's Cajun Kitchen is a legendary Sioux Falls establishment. It serves Cajun and Creole food that tastes like it was made from the clouds of heaven itself — if those clouds were spiced and battered to perfection.
The restaurant is owned by a family that hails from Louisiana, so you know the food is as authentic as it comes.
6. Hagerstown-Martinsburg, Maryland and West Virginia
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Population: 289,545
BIPOC population: 23 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 22 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in Hagerstown-Martinsburg: Tribe Cold Press Juicebar
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Get healthy at Tribe Cold Press Juice Bar. Owned by two Black women, this juice bar focuses on clean and sustainable eating.
Their juices are made with fresh produce, which guarantees some truly delicious options.
5. Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, Alabama
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Population: 229,287
BIPOC population: 20 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 19 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in Daphne-Fairhope-Foley: Sage Lebanese Cuisine & Cafe
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For food so good it could've only come from grandma's recipes, dine at Sage Lebanese Cuisine & Cafe. You'll find Middle Eastern and Mediterranean staples like falafel, kebabs and shawarmas.
The local restaurant makes most dishes from scratch and is one of the few representing Middle Eastern cuisine in the area, so you should definitely go and support it.
3. Bloomington, Illinois (Tie)
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Population: 191,067
BIPOC population: 24 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 23 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in Bloomington: Jazz UpFront
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One of the best joints to spend a night out in town is Jazz UpFront. Live music (usually jazz), happy hours and a great ambience combine to make this one of the hottest venues in Bloomington.
The best part is that you don't have to wait for the weekend to enjoy live music, with many events happening during the week as well.
3. Lawrence, Kansas (Tie)
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Population: 122,530
BIPOC population: 24 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 23 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in Lawrence: BodyTruth Soap Apothecary
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Stop by BodyTruth Soap Apothecary to fulfill all your toiletry and beauty needs. You'll find fragrant handmade products made with plant-based ingredients.
The inventory includes soaps, shampoos, bath bombs, body butter, beard oil and facial beauty products.
2. Ithaca, New York
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Population: 105,740
BIPOC population: 27 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 26 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in Ithaca: Rashida Sawyer Bakery
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Indulge your sweet tooth at Rashida Sawyer Bakery, whose founding executive chef has been bringing cakes and baked goods to Ithaca since the 1980s.
The bakery is a town legend.
1. Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, Alabama
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Population: 113,469
BIPOC population: 32 percent
BIPOC-owned businesses: 31 percent
BIPOC Business to Support in Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville: Thai One On
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For delicious Asian food, dine at Thai One On. Owner and chef Sam Sutchaleo cooks food from Thailand, his country of origin, but also offers popular Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese food on the menu.
Pad Thai is the usual favorite, but we encourage you to try some of the curries, particularly the perfectly sweet-and-tangy pineapple curry.