I love supporting Black-owned businesses. There’s a certain level of joy I get out of seeing thriving Black business owners in the neighborhoods where they grew up giving back to their communities and living out their dreams.

Seeing the passion, creativity and resiliency of Black-owned businesses is exciting, especially in a city like Baltimore.

People not from here don’t get it. Our swagger, our culture, our history that gives us the freedom to operate like we do and have the can-do attitude to push through any obstacle. To most outsiders, Baltimore is reduced to its crime rate or misguided perceptions. But there’s much more here — including our businesses.

Here are some of the interesting Black-owned businesses people should check out.

CollegiateLuxe

Address: Harborplace, (The Old H&M Store) 301 Light St., Suite 1575, Baltimore

Anyone who knows me knows I love the historically Black university that I attended, which, by the way is, *ahem* thee illustrious Morgan State University. (It’s like A Tribe Called Quest. You have to say it all together). Attending an HBCU was the best decision I ever made, and, no matter where I go, I wear my alumni status on my sleeve like a badge of honor. And, with a store like CollegiateLuxe, I can literally do that.

CollegiateLuxe is a brand “passionate about bringing memories to those who graduated from HBCU with the right gear,” according to its website. And, as soon as you walk through the doors of the store, you feel that passion immediately.

I came across this establishment while desperately searching for Morgan alumni gear during homecoming season. As soon as I walked in, my HBCU pride went up a couple of notches. The vibrant colors that jumped off the hoodies, jackets, sweaters, pullovers and T-shirts branded with a variety of HBCU logos grabbed my attention. I became a little jealous that my school didn’t have certain colors that coordinated with the designs, because as we know, when it comes to fashion, the secret is, you gotta coordinate!

I bought a denim jacket that was not only affordable but also in my size, because normally it’s harder to find quality clothing that fits me. This is a store where I will continue to shop.

Chef Bobby D

Address: 4032 Falls Rd., Baltimore

For this selection, I’m going to need my financial adviser, aka my mom, to look away, because I’m embarrassed to admit how much money I have spent here over the last —*checks DoorDash receipts* — few years.

I first heard of Chef Bobby D in 2021 while returning to work during the pandemic. My former coworkers would come into the office with light green plastic bags with this good-smelling food. I’m talking smoked chicken wings, jerk chicken, even a half rack of ribs (yes, they were bringing ribs into the office, y’all), and more food that made me question why my strategy of saving money and meal prepping wasn’t working.

Chef Bobby D is committed to his pledge to “continue offering world-class quality services to every customer,” as the website says. And, once I finally gave in to FOMO and became a customer, my taste buds changed for the better.

In the last couple of years, I’ve ordered several items from the menu, including but not limited to the salmon Rasta pasta, blackened grilled salmon, fired jumbo shrimp, the crab cake platter and more.

Every time I take a bite of food from this restaurant, I can hear Prince’s “Adore” playing in the background. From the way the food is prepared to the flavor and seasoning (yes, that’s important), it’s truly a heavenly experience. I try to savor each moment and, regardless, I’m sure I levitate every time I take a bite. I also end up fighting off a food coma but ... I regret nothing.

If you’re looking for good, authentic Jamaican cuisine, this is the place for you.

Vinyl and Pages | Cuples Tea House

Address: 301 Light St., Baltimore

Tea, vinyl records, books and even a game of chess — all under one roof. What more could you ask for?

Vinyl and Pages, powered by Cuples Tea House, is a shop that offers customers a fun experience that mixes music, literature and teas at Harborplace. Owned by Eric and Lynnette Dodson, both businesses are under one roof after the closing of Cuples Tea’s Howard Street location.

Besides offering a diverse catalog of books and vinyls, the boutique retail space has opportunities for creatives through podcast recordings, book club meetings, game nights and even DJ spinnings.

Cakes by Cynthia

Address: 3531 Washington Blvd., Suite 102, Lansdowne Station Shopping Center, Halethorpe

For my fellow lovers of sweets, I selected this one especially for us.

If you ever heard the saying “You put your foot in this” in relation to your cooking, that’s a great and remarkable compliment to your skills in the kitchen. That’s how I feel when I have Cakes by Cynthia.

This business from native Cynthia Carr, a self-taught cake decorator, business owner, mom and wife, delivers so much in her desserts, especially flavorful excitement in each bite.

Cakes by Cynthia caught my attention a couple of years ago while I was scrolling Instagram. Since then, I’ve been amazed and impressed by the level of talent and creativity of Carr’s work. For example, if you take a tour of her Instagram account, you’ll find custom cakes such as an Old Bay/crabs creation and “Fortnite”-inspired and “SpongeBob SquarePants” cakes.

Although I haven’t ordered my own custom cake yet, I have tried her cupcakes. On two occasions, I’ve had these flavors: Oreo, strawberry crunch, snickerdoodle, birthday cake, triple chocolate and cookie dough, each uniquely detailed. With each bite, I became more of a fan. These aren’t average store-bought cupcakes. You can taste the care and passion Carr puts into her creations.

The business books quickly, so follow the instructions and become her latest customer.

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture

Address: 830 East Pratt St., Baltimore

Black history and culture are always on display when you enter the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture. And you can always count on something happening at the museum, especially because it’s right in the heart of Baltimore.

According to its website, the Lewis Museum, named after a Baltimore native and legendary businessman, is the premier experience and best resource for information and inspiration about the lives of African American Marylanders.

If you’re looking for an exciting exhibit, visit iWITNESS: Media & the Movement. The exhibit examines how radio, television, photography and the press impacted the Civil Rights Movement.

The exhibit also explores efforts by Maryland activists, community leaders and organizations who leveraged the power of the media to seek change. Opened in August 2024 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, it runs through September.

Other Black-owned businesses

If the businesses above don’t necessarily do it for you, here are links to the other Black-owned businesses we’ve written about, like, four Black-owned ice cream shops in Baltimore, the businesses in the Belair-Edison district, the popular Rooted Rotisserie restaurant and the Black business renaissance in Mount Vernon.