Honoring Black History Month in Baltimore
February 17, 2023February marks Black History Month, an annual holiday dedicated to recognizing and honoring the achievements of African Americans throughout history who fought against struggles of oppression and racism. Black History Month is a way to help raise awareness and educate society about the trials and tribulations Black individuals have endured.
You can participate in Black History Month in many ways, from learning about the oppression faced by generations of Black families, to donating to charities that support anti-racism agendas and goals. On a more local level, you can also support Black-owned businesses all around Baltimore. Here are a few of our favorites:
Atlas Restaurant Group
Atlas’ Pastry Sous Chef, DeAndra, uses her lifelong and family cooking skills to create wondrous and beyond-tasty dishes that truly bring food to life. Watching her mother and grandmother cook ignited her own passion that is utilized every day at Atlas, and inspires her to continue creating foods that are enjoyed by everyone who eats at Atlas Restaurants, many of which are right here in Harbor East.
Chad, the head baker at Cunningham’s Cafe, is an inspiration to many new bakers. Using techniques learned from Joseph Lee, an African American restauranter, who developed a device for creating breadcrumbs. Lee had many other influences on the bread-making industry that can be seen in Chad’s own work. Chad’s favorite part of baking is proofing, which is when the dough is resting and rising to be prepared to make into scrumptious eats. From everything croissants to homemade apple strudel, Chad’s work brings in a heartwarming and mouthwatering taste into the kitchen of Cunningham’s that also inspires other African American bakers in the making to give baking their all.
Main Course Meals
Derrick Faulcon creates a nostalgic, yet fresh take on restaurant food. Using custom, scratch, and “small batch” techniques, Home Maid offers a unique experience that emphasizes quality and the details of food to make a dish that will have you drooling. Try The Baltimore, complete with two eggs, jumbo lump crab, along with sweet potatoes, and a homemade biscuit! Another unique find you cannot miss is the Soul Flower Banana Pudding, which takes classic banana pudding to the next level with brown sugar and vanilla wafers added to perfectly satisfy your sweet tooth. Regardless of what you order, Home Maid has a menu full of eats for you to discover.
This Black-owned fine dining restaurant has just recently introduced its first Black executive chef, Scott Bacno. Bacno implements his southern Black and British roots into his dishes, offering unique and flavorful dishes with depth. Try a wagyu burger with lissome cheese, carmelized mushrooms, dijonaise, and bordelaise sauce. Be sure to order dessert at the end of your meal, like the Fig Sticky Toffee Pudding with tones of brown butter caramel, spiced walnut, and saffron whip combined with vanilla ice cream. Enjoy the brilliant mind of Scott Banco at Magdalena and treat your stomach to a paradise of food.
Mother and son duo Barbara Lahnstein and Dorian Brown have opened up a production kitchen to continue to grow their popular and loved smoked foods. From fish, garlic, and turkey, to mussels and more, Neopol has delicious and savory offerings that will make your mouth water. Lahnstein uses her German culture to create a unique type of smoking that will have you coming back for more.
As an Afro-Latin Fusion restaurant, Papi Cuisine blends traditional Dominican and African American cuisine into a unique and tasty blend. The award-winning chef and owner, Alex Perez, uses the cultural style of cooking he learned from his dad and grandmother. One of the most popular menu items is the Seafood Gumbo, a Louisiana-style gumbo with chicken, shrimp, Cajun andouille, and savory spices. Enjoy your meal with a refreshing beverage like Papi’s Pineapple, made from a Caribbean-style rum punch with blue Curacao, pineapple, and lime served in a pineapple. All of these distinctive finds and flavors can be found only at Papi’s, so swing by for a meal you will love.
This mom-and-daughter duo, LaShauna and Daejonne, combine their love of food and sports into a hotdog paradise where you can customize your own dog! There is tons of versatility in the hotdog you order, from chicken to beef to even vegan options. If you want a pre-designed hotdog, try something like the delicious Jerk Mac and Cheese Dog, which consists of a jerk chicken hotdog, topped with mac and cheese, caramelized onions, and jerk sauce. At Sporty Dog, the options are endless and you can create the hotdog of your dreams.
Sweet Treats
Chocolate-covered strawberries are a fan favorite, and Quicha knows exactly how to make them unforgettable. Each hand-dipped strawberry has a variety of topping options, from dark chocolate to salted caramel and more! Order an assortment to take advantage of all the wonderful flavors and creativity of Quicha!
Sandra and her son, Aaron, share their love of cooking and baking with the Baltimore community. Having grown up in a family of cooks, this mom and son have tips and tricks that really emphasize the importance and comfort of home-cooked food. At Midnite Confections, sweet treats are all the rage. With cupcake flavors ranging from Lemon Blueberry to Irish Cream, you will experience cupcakes like you never have before. Check out Midnite Confection’s walk-in cupcake options at their local shop, or order their specialty cupcakes in advance to treat yourself to something sweet.
Taharka Brothers was created with the purpose of creating more equal opportunities and resources for those involved in the business. With four locations, Taharka Brothers is growing by utilizing a community-focused ice cream shop to encourage involvement. There is a wide range of ice cream flavors for you to choose from. Choose something traditional, like Cookie Dough and Pistachio ice cream, or try something a bit more eccentric like Matcha Mochi or Ooey Gooey Red Velvet. Treat your sweet tooth to a dessert that serves a strong and important purpose in Baltimore.
Cafés
Find your new favorite coffee place at Koba Cafe, a shop designed to be centered around human connection. Adama, the owner, originally pursued a career in electrical engineering before realizing that he wanted to create his own café that would feel welcoming and inviting to everyone. Coffee fans will fall head over heels in love with the Milky Way Espresso, featuring caramel and chocolate syrup. At Koba Cafe, you’ll feel right at home, while also enjoying amazing food and drinks served in a relaxed atmosphere.
Wine Bar
This wine bar makes ordering interesting by allowing you to use a pour-your-own tap system. From red to white, dry to sweet, there are so many options that you can choose from. The best part of Serenity is that you can try more than one wine, so you can find your next favorite wine. Pair your drink with a tasty pizza for a meal you’ll remember.
Celebrate Black Businesses
Black History Month is meant to celebrate the triumphs of Black individuals amongst all of the hardships they’ve endured. By supporting Black businesses in Baltimore, you will be helping their business continue to thrive this February and beyond. From wine to cupcakes to strawberries, there are tons of options that you can try to commemorate Black History Month!