ALBANY
- Kitchen 216 (161 Washington Ave Ext.): Casual restaurant whipping up soul food such as fried fish, turkey wings, and mac ’n’ cheese.
- Umana Yana Restaurant and Wine Bar (240 Washington Ave): the only spot in the Capital Region that serves up Ethiopian fare every night. The restaurant embodies the spirit of diversity and celebrates global flavors with dishes such as Ethiopian Injera Plate and Coconut Curry Fish.
- Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen (353 Clinton Ave): Albany’s go-to spot for soul food and southern-style cuisine.
- Hot Spot Jamaican American Cuisine (244 Washington Ave): Casual locale serving up Jamaican standards, including jerk chicken, curry goat, and ackee and saltfish.
- Great Exbaketations by Chey: a bakery specializing in scratch-baked, made-to-order booze-infused cakes
- Johnny’s on Broadway (1278 Broadway): Low-key bar and grill featuring soul food, happy hour, dancing, and live music.
- Deelish Meal Prep: a family-owned small business that has been providing deelish meals around the Capital Region since 2021.
- Fresh & Fly Clothing (13 S Pearl St, Albany): Described as the “Official Swag Headquarters,” the locally-owned retailer doesn’t create style and fashion – they enhance it.
- Capo’s Breakfast Spot (267 Central Ave, Albany): Relaxed eatery serving hearty breakfasts such as grits and hash browns in a welcoming environment.
- Blooms by Marie: a neighborhood florist specializing in luxury floral designs for all occasions.
- Youth FX (25 Warren St., Albany): a non-profit organization designed to immerse young people of color in the creative and technical aspects of digital filmmaking and media production.
- Nelly’s Treats Bakery (95 Remsen St., Cohoes): Specializing in cakes, cupcakes, charcuterie boards and more, Nelly’s treats has grown from owner, Renel teaching herself how to bake in her kitchen to the lovely boutique bakery it is today.
- Keobi Restaurant (189 Lark St., Albany): The menu features Nigerian dishes such as Asaro (yam porridge), Jollof rice, Moi Moi (bean cake) and Ewa G (mashed black-eyed beans).
- TieBerrySweets: the sweet shop offers gourmet chocolate covered pretzels, hot chocolate bombs, chocolate dipped cheesecake apples and much more.
- A.J.W. Restaurant (18 Wolf Road, Colonie): Cozy restaurant serving traditional Haitian dishes, including black mushroom rice.
SCHENECTADY
- Ya Ya’s House Southern Cuisine (135 Broadway): Informal eatery specializing in soul food, including haddock, collard greens, and mac salad.
- Vibez Bar & Lounge (1490 State St): Trendy restaurant with a bar specializing in Guyanese-Caribbean cuisine and offering live music.
- Grounded Goddess (127 Jay St, Schenectady): Metaphysical shop offering a selection of crystals, herbs, and smudges, plus yoga and meditation classes.
- Cussin’s Cannabis & Nail Salon (2075 Central Ave., Schenectady): Boutique Canna Shopping & Luxury Nail Services
TROY
NORTH OF ALBANY
- Root3d (6 Chelsea Pl Suite 103, Clifton Park): a wellness center designed to recharge the mind, body and spirit, with a focus on BIPOC communities.
SOUTH OF ALBANY
- Alima’s West African Cuisine (Chatham): a small woman-owned business in Chatham NY. Alima’s serves authentic West African cuisine at several local farmers’ markets.
- Collins Kitchen (Hudson): founded by longtime Hudson locals originally from Guyana, is bringing the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean.
- The Juice Branch (65 West Bridge St., Catskill): A boutique fitness studio offering small, personalized classes utilizing a unique blend of strength, boxing, and HIIT training.
EAST OF ALBANY
WEST OF ALBANY