Tracy Skelly - Little Cocoa Bean - Boston Black-owned businesses

Boston Moms loves to support local! We are excited to share some of our favorite Black-owned businesses — in Boston and beyond — as sourced by our writing team. 

Do you know an exceptional Black-owned business in the Boston area? Let us know!

Caring for Mamas

Greater Boston

Caring for Mamas is a doula service owned by Boston Moms contributor Dashanna Hanlon. Dashanna serves families throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, helping them to create a beautiful experience. With her guidance, families will feel empowered to advocate for themselves and understand the birthing process.

Little Cocoa Bean Company

Greater Boston and beyond

When Boston Moms contributor Tracy Skelly‘s daughter was born, she realized she was unable to find the nutrient-dense, pre-packaged, culturally diverse baby food her little one needed to thrive. She created the Little Cocoa Bean Company to fill this void. Little Cocoa Bean Company strives to provide families with access to vital information about nutrition, along with the tools and services they need to thrive during their child’s first 1,000 days of life.

Little Cocoa Bean also offers a chic new tot cafe in Boston, where parents and their little ones can eat, play, learn, and connect to create a thriving community.

4 Corners Yoga + Wellness

336 Washington Street, Dorchester

4 Corners Yoga + Wellness believes yoga should be for everyBODY. In this body-positive space, the dedicated team offers a safe, welcoming, and culturally affirming sanctuary for the community to participate in bodywork treatments, workshops, and classes.

Fusion Dolls

Shop Online

Fusion Dolls specializes in multicultural, biracial, and Black dolls and accessories. Every doll is created with love and care. Each comes with their very own custom outfit, stylish curly hair, vinyl body, and a movable head.

Artifact Soapworks

1770 Massachusetts Avenue, PMB 621, Cambridge

If you are tired of plain, boring, square bars of soap, you are going to love Artifact Soapworks! These luxurious vegan soaps are molded into beautiful and unique shapes, giving them the appearance of artifacts! 

Urban Grape

303 Columbus Avenue, Boston

Located in Boston, the Urban Grape is one of the most successful and award-winning wine stores in America. Urban Grape is not only one of Boston’s Black-owned small businesses, it’s woman-owned and dedicated to building community through beverage.

BRED Gourmet

2255 Dorchester Avenue, Boston

BRED Gourmet founder Tambo Barrow has a passion for burgers, and it shows. Drool-worthy recipes such as the Maui burger (featuring grilled pineapple, pepper jack cheese, crispy onions, sweet plantains, grilled ham, and M&M Ribs’ BBQ sauce) adorn the menu, alongside delicious smoothies and decadent salads. A must-try for any foodie!

Bos. Shop

623 Tremont Street, Boston 

This curated boutique gift shop features 20+ brands — all Black-owned businesses! — under one roof! From home goods to beauty products, there is something for everyone inside the Bos. Shop!

Frugal Bookstore

57 Warren Street, Roxbury

Frugal Bookstore, the only Black-owned bookstore in Boston, was voted the Best of Boston in 2020, and for good reason! They love everything about books! This community bookstore is passionately dedicated to promoting literacy, not only in children, but in teens and adults too. There is nothing quite like the feeling of a book in your hand, and this is the perfect place to pick one out! 

Maxine’s On Saint James

304 Dudley St, Roxbury :: (617) 207-0551

If you are looking for southern goodness, look no further than Maxine’s! Cooking up old fashioned soul food, their menu includes favorites such as jambalaya and chicken and sausage gumbo. And don’t forget to order the baked mac and cheese — it definitely IS something to write home about! 

Pink & Pretty Nail Salon

107 Savin Hill Avenue, Dorchester

In 2020, mother and daughter team Dana Bonner and Florence Taylor fulfilled their dream of opening a nail salon. Guests at Pink & Pretty Nail Salon experience a chill zone where customers feel relaxed as they get a beautiful manicure or pedicure! 

Ripple Cafe

1906 Dorchester Avenue, Boston
314 Main Street, Cambridge

With its original location in the Ashmont T station and a new spot near MIT in Cambridge, Ripple Cafe serves up something for any kind of appetite! Whether you are looking for bacon or for vegan steak, your taste buds will thank you! If you aren’t in the mood for a killer cup of coffee, try the fresh fruit smoothies. They are as beautiful as they are delicious! 

Shea Butter Smoothies

777 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston

If you are looking for a health boost but don’t want to sacrifice delicious flavor, look no further than Shea Butter Smoothies. From superfood smoothies to fresh-squeezed juices, nutrition has never been so refreshing! And doesn’t a smoothie bowl sound like the absolute perfect dessert?

Tipping Cow Ice Cream

415 Medford Street, Somerville

Tipping Cow Ice Cream is a little scoop of heaven in Somerville. Their handmade, gourmet ice cream is available in seasonal flavors, and they even offer vegan and dairy-free options! And Tipping Cow doesn’t stop at ice cream — they also handcraft hot chocolate, milkshakes, floats, sundaes, and affogatos, as well as nut-free baked goods that are made from scratch right at the shop.

Gourmet Kreyòl

Greater Boston 

Follow the Flamingo to find the Kreyòl flavor! Chef Nathalie grew up in Miami, where she watched her parents run one of the most successful Haitian restaurants in the area. She brought the amazing flavors to Boston, by way of a brightly colored food truck! Find the Flamingo, reserve some catering, or book her for your events! 

TRILLFIT

Digital classes + a pop-up studio at the Moxy in Boston

TRILLFIT is the best hip hop workout! This boutique fitness program was founded in Boston with the idea that exercise should be inclusive and fun — and set to an ill soundtrack! TRILLFIT classes range from cardio dance to sculpt and include something for every interest and skill level. Monthly subscriptions can be used digitally, or try an in-person class at the pop-up at the Moxy!

Mama O’s Bakery

Framingham, MA

Mama O has something for EVERYONE. And, she ships! 

Baby O and I Consulting

Greater Boston

If you are looking to help your little one get some much needed zzzzz’s, look no further than Jensine Casey! Jensine is a certified pediatric sleep consultant with a master’s in early childhood — she will be the answer to your sleepy time prayers! 

Have a favorite Black-owned business in the Boston area to share with our readers? Let us know!

Deanna Greenstein
Deanna is a mom of five (yes, five) children, who lives in Brockton with her small circus of kids, her husband, their dog Penny, and a few cats. Her life is loud, energetic, mostly fun, often gross (did she mention four of those kids are boys?), and she wouldn't have it any other way. In between carting kids to school, baseball, gymnastics, guitar, dance, track and field and every other kid activity known to mankind, she works as a school bus driver for the city of Brockton, and is the Director of Religious Education at the Unity Church of North Easton, a Unitarian Universalist congregation. Deanna also holds degrees in Elementary Physical Education and Dance Education, which she plans to put back into use one day. At parties, Deanna can often be found hanging out with family pets. She follows her children around with a camera like the paparazzi, is pretty sure that 97% of her blood stream is made of coffee, and her laundry is never done. You can also find her blogging at https://eighteenmoreyearsofburpsandfarts.wordpress.com