News4Jax is sharing stories of Black-owned businesses for National Black Business MonthIf you need help with WJXT’s or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Bryanetta Humphrey, the owner of the Talk of the Town boutique in Avondale, says she can find the perfect outfit for anyone. Her boutique sells clothes among many other things“I believe I was born to own the Talk of the Town,” Humphrey said. But she admits being a Black business owner in a predominately white community is not easy. Because we’re a Black-owned business.”A year and a half after first opening the doors of the boutique, Humphrey started to feel more comfortable in her role as the face of the business. I paused long enough for her to wonder, ’Why did you hesitate?’ And she asked me, ’Why did you hesitate?’” Humphrey said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Queencutz Corner is a barbershop in the River City aiming to provide more than just a cut. Kecia Myers owns Queencutz Corner, a full-service barbershop that is changing barbershop norms by being owned and operated by an all-female crew. “I’ve had other men cut my hair in between but nobody does it like Kecia does,” Smith said. “Being a woman, I know how a woman likes to look. And the problem that they have with a lot of barbers is that they just don’t give them that feminine look,” Myers said.

Peculiar Styles has a simple motto: Be creative, be different, be you. Kris Sawyer’s personal styling business isn’t only challenging fashion norms but also boosting self-confidence along the way. Peculiar Styles pushed her sense of fashion to new heights during a first-time photo shoot. Peculiar Styles photoshoot (Courtesy of photographer Michael Sloan)Sawyer provides head-to-toe transformations for people wanting to switch their look up for either an occasion or a lifetime. This simple act could give you a boost of positivity in otherwise uncertain times, Sawyer said.

Historically Black business owners have faced various issues when trying to get businesses off the ground - from racism to redlining. This is the reality that some Black business owners face when trying to get their businesses off the ground. Williams says there's a need to improve black business owner's access to capital and secure funding. Even today, only 1 to 2% of the dollars of national banks go to the black community whereas if you look at Black banks 70 or 80% of dollars go to the black community,” Williams said. Williams says 40% of black-owned businesses have closed since February due to the pandemic.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Black business owner in the Riverside Avondale area who launched a new business during the coronavirus pandemic said her risk has paid off. Natasha Burton opened Mixed Fillings Pie Shop on Oak Street after moving to Jacksonville and losing her job. She originally planned to open a pie shop, but not as quickly as it happened. “When the community learned that there was a pie shop, people were so generous, they started making donations,” said Burton. In the years to come, Burton said she hopes to use her pie shop as a platform to raise awareness for her nonprofit that helps survivors of sexual abuse.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – August is National Black Owned Business Month and we continue to share stories of business owners. News4Jax spoke with the owner of a speech therapy business based in Jacksonville. “Speech therapy primarily focuses on articulation so how we say words and pronounce words and then we talk about language therapy from a development perspective,” Henry said. She started her business, Broad Horizons Speech Therapy, last year. “So it’s very important for me as a speech language pathologist and specifically African-American to continue to promote my services,” she said.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After moving to a new location less than a year ago, Pretty Pieces boutique, a Black-owned business, has not only stayed afloat during the pandemic but flourished. While many businesses have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, Pretty Pieces, which the owner calls Jacksonville’s best-kept secret, has found a way to prosper in the most uncertain of times. And what you will find there, it’s not just us posting pictures in our Pretty Pieces but you also get inspiration, motivation. It’s this bond between shoppers and boutique that continues to allow Pretty Pieces to prosper despite uncertainty. Find more at the Pretty Pieces website: https://shopprettypieces.com/.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – When it comes to Black business legacy, Jenkins Quality Barbecue may be one of the oldest Black family-owned restaurants in Jacksonville. “When then other kids went out to play or the movies on Saturdays, I came to Jenkins Barbecue to work,” Meltonia Jenkins recalled. “Back then, Jenkins Quality Barbecue was segregated. Jenkins Quality Barbecue (WJXT)After segregation ended, the business grew. “We basically have takeout and drive-through, so when COVID-19 struck, we didn’t have to worry about sit-in,” Meltonia Jenkins said.

News4Jax is sharing stories of Black-owned businesses for National Black Business MonthIf you need help with WJXT’s or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Nearly 13 years ago, Nana Hammond and her family moved from London to the U.S. After settling in Jacksonville, Hammond wasn’t thrilled with the quality of bread, so she decided to make her own. “The first loaf of bread we bought actually sat on our shelf for two weeks – no mold, it didn’t stale, nothing at all happened to it,” Hammond recalled. Enter Jax Bread Co., a family-owned bakery nestled in a storefront along Baymeadows Road off Philips Highway on the city’s Southside. “Everything that you get from here, from our cookies to our sandwiches, we make all of that in house,” she said. “So, we have a lot of support across all races from Jacksonville.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – August is National Black Owned Business Month -- and with so many of them in Jacksonville, we’ve decided to share their stories. The 76 gas station on Lem Turner and Dunn Avenue is under new ownership. Takesha Ellison and her husband John took it over in February and have been open since July. “It’s been excellent,” Takesha Ellison, Co-Owner of 76 Gas Station, said. There’s actually another black-owned gas station to 7-Eleven right down the street from us as well.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The community is rallying behind a black-owned wholesale food store in Northeast Florida that’s been recovering from hardships, including legal issues. The MainStreet Wholesale Grocery Supply has been a staple in Jacksonville’s Urban Core for decades. In addition to a legal battle, the food store has been repairing damage from Hurricane Irma. “Since this has been here for 65 years in this community, the black community, we wanted it to stay," Charlemagne said. The wholesale food store said it is the only black-owned business of its kind in Northeast Florida.

Local food blog “Jacksonville Restaurant Reviews” compiled a list of all the black-owned restaurants in the River City. The group said putting money into the black community is one way to help the current fight for equality. Downtown/Northside/SpringfieldDa Real Ting128 W Adams St (0.96 mi)Jacksonville, Florida 32202Taste GraceDunn Ave & Monaco(next 2 checkers) (6.31 mi)Jacksonville, Florida 32218Cartel’s Kitchen Seafood & More3002 N. Myrtle AveJacksonville, Florida 32209Caribbean Sunrise Bakery & Restaurant4106 N. Main StreetDropzone GrilleSams Club NorthsideAustin’s Soul Food4807 Main St N.Jacksonville, Florida 32206Annie Ru’s2851 North Edgewood Ave. Ste. Jacksonville, FL 32207Allstarzz1111 Cesery BlvdJacksonville, Florida 32211Riverside/Avondale/Murray HillJazzy’s901 King StreetJacksonville, Florida 32204Cool Moose Cafe2708 Park StJacksonville, Florida 32205-7608Motion Sweets1020 Park St.Jacksonville, Florida 32204The Social House4204 Herschel StreetJacksonville, FloridaHoly Smokes BBQ1164 Edgewood Ave SJacksonville, Florida 32205-7458Munchies Food for the Soul4555 ST JOHNS AVEJacksonville, Florida 32210WestsideSoul Food BistroCelestia’s Coastal Cuisine6765 Dunn Ave suite 201/202Jacksonville, Florida 32219Pineapples5880 Normandy blvdJacksonville, Florida 32205Crazy Crab3610 Blanding BlvdJacksonville, FloridaShut em Down6315 San Juan AveJacksonville, Florida 322106426 Bowden Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32216Uncle Genes Soul and Seafood5123 Timuquana RdJacksonville, Florida 32210A Taste of Chicago7307 103rd st (7.78 mi)Jacksonville, FloridaOrange ParkMackey’s Munchies868 Blanding Blvd (16.64 mi)Orange Park, Florida 32065TDS Cajun Cafe & Catering664 Kingsley Ave (11.12 mi)Orange Park, Florida 32073Irie Diner1177 Park Ave., Ste 9Orange Park, Florida 32073Mayport/Atlantic BeachHangar Bay Cafe2294 Mayport Rd. Suite 22 (15.56 mi)Jacksonville, Florida 32233Vooswar51 Robert St (15.46 mi)Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233MiddleburgFarmhouse Chicken & Donuts1694 BLANDING BLVD, MIDDLEBURGFL.