ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – As the Black Lives Matter movement spread across New Mexico, it’s bringing attention to black-owned businesses. Some local entrepreneurs say they’re seeing a surge in support.
Q’s Cakes and Sweets Boutique owner Queneesha Meyers has been baking since she was a kid. She says she’s seen great support because of the Black Lives Matter movement.
“We reopened last Tuesday and that’s kind of in the midst of all the protests, the Black Lives Matter movement, kind of picking up. We’ve seen an additional increase in support, people wanting to support, specifically, black-owned businesses like myself, and so we really appreciate people,” said Meyers. “It introduces people to us who may have never heard of us. A lot of people that come in, they tell us, I didn’t even know you were here. Hopefully, it will continue beyond just right now and people will remember us when they have different events going on.”
The death of George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody, prompted nationwide protests and a call to help black entrepreneurs. People began sharing lists of places around the metro run by African Americans.
Karen Johnson-Bey has also been cooking since she was a kid. She owns the restaurant K’Lynn’s Southern and Cajun Fusion in Rio Rancho.
“We love New Mexico, We’ve never had any issues, thank God, and we’ve had lots of support before all the issues started and I assume we’ll have it after,” said Johnson-Bey. “I just hope to continue to grow and continue to give people delicious food they enjoy with friendly staff and just hope that everyone appreciates everyone for who they are.”
Frank Willis is the owner of Frank’s Famous Chicken and Waffles. He says he’s noticed an outpouring of support, as well.
“It’s really been overwhelming. We’ve welcomed the support of the city and people wanting to support us and help us,” said Willis. “As a small business owner, more than anything, it’s great to have support because a lot of the bigger chains and corporations, they get streams of money coming in, so for a small business owner like myself, it’s been great to be able to service more people, get more awareness and more people knowing about us.”
Deonte Halsey’s business Biscuit Boy normally circuits the area farmers’ markets like the one at the Railyards. Even with those limited at the moment, he’s seen more business than ever.
“The outpouring of support over the past two weeks has been tremendous. We’ve had the most orders ever. I appreciate the community as a whole for getting behind and supporting black businesses. I don’t think a lot of people knew how many black-owned businesses were here in the city,” said Halsey. “Whether it’s a bigger business that wants to help me grow, whether it’s a community organization, whether it’s just people in the community, they’ve all shown tremendous support.”
The owners of many of these local businesses say they appreciate New Mexicans trying to uplift the black community. Many say they hope the support will continue.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the black-owned businesses in the metro and around New Mexico, with the help of the African American Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce. If we missed a business, please let us know at jami.seymore@krqe.com.
- Q’s Cakes & Sweets Boutique
- K’Lynn’s Southern & Cajun Fusion
- Biscuit Boy
- Frank’s Famous Chicken & Waffles
- Taste of the Caribbean
- Nexus Brewery
- Rude Boy Cookies
- Cultivating Coders
- The Syndicate
- Flower Loop
- Mr. Powdrell’s Barbeque
- Leela’s Body Cocktails
- Beets Juice Bar & Cafe
- Hollow Spirits Distillery
- Bobbi’s Homestyle Catering
- The Rain Tunnel Car Spa
- Green Gene Vegan Cafe
- ManimalKingdom
- Talking Drums African Caribbean Grill
- Focus Advertising Specialties
- Door Man LLC
- Trendz Beauty Supply
- About Face Med Spa
- The Cake Boutique
- 50/50 Coffee House & Pub
- Beyond Poetry
- 2MorroWorld Group LLC, aka D. Dion
- Crystal Clear Maintenance Inc
- Eric Spurlock Custom Home Designs
- Payne Consulting (Construction) Services
- S&P Management LLC
- Acquisition and Assistance Management Support Services
- Avtec Management Consulting
- Ernest Jenkins & Associates
- FINAO YBM, LLC
- NAV-IO, LLC
- One Full Life International, LLC
- Steele Organizing Solutions
- The EDH Global
- Unbossed Consulting
- The KJ Effect
- Spartan Cyber Security
- Tillman Cyber Services
- African American Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce
- Idea Economic
- ACES Technical Charter School
- Banks Electric
- WJ Electric
- Event Palace
- Magic Mirror Photobooth & Events NM
- NM Finest DJ Services
- The Red Elephant
- Legacy Finance
- Moye, Waters & Associates
- R. Mims World Group
- AK Deli
- Big D’s Southern Best BBQ
- Jambo Cafe
- Nomad’s BBQ
- Revel Burger
- Waffle House
- Diabetes Diva
- Cosmetic & Natural Dentistry
- Elle Naturalle Beauty Boutique
- Master Jim’s Taekwondo
- Palante Health, LLC
- Riddle Price Assoc. LLC
- Sannel Education Services
- South Valley Care Center
- Umoja Behavioral Health
- Utopia Dental Care
- Yorkshire Wellness Group
- Legal Shield/Identity Theft Protection (Curtis Spencer)
- State Farm (Jesse Dompreh)
- Webb Insurance (Cecilia Webb)
- Jewell Law Office
- KWH Law Center for Social Justice and Change
- Uplifted Inc.
- African American Cultural Association
- NM Black History Organizing Committee
- Bryan’s Photography
- ET Photo Video
- West Mesa Photography
- eXp Realty (Chris Bess)
- Love Realty
- REMAX Masters (Carol Crawford)
- Realty 1 of NM (Diane Mourning Brown)
- A Better U Barber Academy
- Beatific Braids ‘n’ Beauty
- Big Johns Mobile Tire Shredding Co.
- ABQ Trolley Co.
- Big Papa’s BBQ
- Blessed Creations
- Corley’s Albuquerque Lincoln
- Crispy Clean Mobile
- Denim on a Dime
- Hair It Is
- Kamaria Creations
- Kutz of a Dream
- Sankofa Hair & Beauty Supply
- Will’s Barber Shop
- Workshop Storage
- Estech Global
- Wiltech Energy
- Kellumwebdv
- Divine Therapeutic Massage by Zeke Rhodes
- A Heavenly Taste Cakery
- Hair by Mandy J
- Bigger Farms
- Black Bird Pies
- Black Farmers and Ranchers NM
- Stargazer Kombucha
- Corner Kitchen
- Freezie Fresh
- HoneyMoon Brewery
- Keep it Fresh Distro
- Kimo’s Hawaiian BBQ
- Lucky Goat
- Ras Rody’s Jamaican Vegan
- Revolution Bakery
- Sidedoor Kitchen
- Spellbound Syrups
- Stakeout
- Taco Fundacion
- The Hot Mess
- The Sugabom
- Uncle T’s Sangwiches and Stews
- Ye Ole Kitchen Witch
- Desert Queen Beauty
- Finance of America Mortgage
- Andre’s Royal Touch
- Lotus Sound Bath
- Masterminds Design
- Ross Rehabilitation PC
- The Ancient Elements
- Graphicbliss Branding Agency
- New Mexico Entertainment Magazine
- PRIDE & Equality Magazine