EVANSTON, ILL. – August is National Black Business Month, and the Evanston Public Library is celebrating by encouraging Evanstonians to explore and shop at Black-owned businesses in our community.
National Black Business Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions of Black-owned businesses to our economy and communities. It serves as a reminder of the resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit within the Black business community, and honors the legacy of Black entrepreneurs and their significant impact on innovation, job creation, and economic growth. This observance encourages support for Black-owned businesses through patronage, partnerships, and advocacy for equity and inclusion in the business world.
From Aug. 1 through Aug. 31, visit the library to pick up a punch card, choose at least 5 participating local Black-owned businesses to visit, and either make a purchase or talk to staff to learn about their business for a punch. When your punch card is full, return it to the library and get entered into a raffle for a gift card, worth $25, $50, or $100, from one of our featured businesses. We’ll be raffling multiple gift cards.
Whether you’re participating with our punch cards or not, shop some of our Black-owned businesses throughout the month and all year long:
| Business | Products & Services | Website or Address |
| Soul & Smoke | Restaurant | soulandsmoke.com |
| Peace Love Destini | Yoga Instructor and Consultant | linktree.com/peacelovedesto |
| Reka’s Crafty Creations | Crafts and Life Insurance | Facebook: RekaCraftyCreations |
| Skillz Physical Therapy | Physical Therapy Clinic | skillzpt.com |
| Hecky’s Barbecue | Carry-out Restaurant | heckys.com |
| Whole Woman Fitness | Community Wellness | wholewomanfitnessschedule.as.me |
| Powerhouse Sports | Youth Sports Program | thepowerhousesports.com |
| AntiRacistAF | Hand-designed activism line, for your closet and home | AntiRacistAF.com |
| Mari Enterprise/Evanston Present and Future | Consulting | kemonehendricks.com |
| Ebony Barber Shop | Barbershop | 1702 Dodge Ave, Evanston |
| Simple Bee Decor | Retail Shop | simplebeedecor.com |
| Reeses Barber Studio | Barbershop | 1618 Emerson St, Evanston |
| Minouche Boutique | Retail, Resale and Beauty Supplies | Facebook: minouchicboutique |
| World Financial Group/Brenda Phillips | Financial Services | agents.worldfinancialgroup.com/brenda-phillips |
| Claire’s Korner | Restaurant | 1827 Emerson St, Evanston |
| YoFresh Cafe | Restaurant | yofreshcafe.com |
| Smile Suite Orthodontics | Orthodontics (Dentistry) | smilesuiteortho.com |
| Kingston Grill Restaurant | Restaurant | 1164 Dodge Ave, Evanston |
| Badou Senegalese Cuisine | Restaurant | badousenegalesecuisine.com |
| C&W Market and Ice Cream Parlor | Convenience Store, Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant | cwmarketandicecreamparlor.com |
| CC Fades | Barbershop | 3361 Dempster St, Skokie |
| Spice Restaurant | Restaurant | spicerestaurantmenu.com |
| Cold Stone Creamery | Ice Cream Shop | coldstonecreamery.com/stores/21119 |
| Classy Closet Consignment | Consignment for men and women | classyclosetconsignment.com |
| Studio SLK | Hair Salon | studio-SLK.com |
For more information about the program, contact Tracy Olasimbo at tolasimbo@cityofevanston.org.
