It’s Black History Month: Discover 15 Black-Owned Businesses in Colorado Springs
Black History Month is not just a time to examine the past, but an opportunity to look toward the future. Colorado Springs organizations have worked tirelessly throughout the years to strengthen and advocate for Black-owned businesses, including the Colorado Springs Black Chamber of Commerce and the Colorado Springs Black Business Network. Thanks in part to institutions like these, Colorado Springs rose twelve spots in Smart Asset’s Top Cities Where Black Americans Fare Best Economically from No. 21 in 2021 to No. 9 in 2023.
For the past several years, Colorado Springs small business owners like Shauna Sankey have pushed for a Black-Owned Friday — a nationwide campaign led by Google to support the work of Black entrepreneurs. With so many great Black-owned businesses in the Colorado Springs area, here are just a few that are worthy of your support.
Delicious Dishes
With a range of food options from casual to fine dining, Black-owned businesses in Colorado Springs have plenty of cuisines to suit any taste.
Chantal Lucas and her husband opened her restaurant Luchal’s Soulful Seafood in 2016 and since then, the restaurant has become one of the most popular restaurants and food trucks in Colorado Springs. Located inside of the culinary incubator COATI in downtown Colorado Springs, Luchal’s serves Southern, American, and Cajun-style seafood with gluten-free options. In 2022, Chantal was named a Top 100 Food and Beverage Business by Entreprenista.
If you’re looking for something upscale, Four by Brother Luck is a farm-to-table eatery that emphasizes innovative dishes with global inspiration. Springs Magazine recently ranked Four in the Top 30 Restaurants in Colorado Springs, while Brother Luck himself has appeared on Food Network shows such as Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay. Brother Luck opened a second restaurant in Colorado Springs in 2019 called the Lucky Dumpling and the chef recently released his memoir, “No Lucks Given.”
Spice Island Grill is a Jamaican restaurant that serves dishes inspired by the island’s unique culture and flavors. The eatery has a fun, tropical island ambiance while also offering private parties and catered meals. In 2016, Spice Island was featured in Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
Beyond the Cuisines
Black-owned businesses in Colorado Springs have had a strong impact on the local economy, driven by the contributions of notable Coloradans like Fannie Mae Duncan of Colorado Springs. Fannie Mae opened the first integrated jazz club in the city in 1948 called The Cotton Club, which became a major inspiration for Black-owned businesses of that time.
Many Black entrepreneurs are continuing Fanny Mae’s legacy in Colorado Springs today, including 3E’s Comedy Club, which opened in 2020 and has become a popular destination to see both local talent and national headliners perform for open mic nights. Owner Eric Phillips was stationed in Colorado Springs twice throughout his military career and sees 3E’s as a means to showcase the city’s diverse community.
Peace of Mind’s upscale group travel management services focus on creating custom-designed vacations that suit their client’s travel style and personal brand. The Black-and-woman-owned business was founded by Iesha Brewton and has accrued a strong clientele with nearly 2,000 Facebook likes and followers.
Maiya Lacy Realty is another Black-and-woman-owned business in Colorado Springs and is considered a top realtor with glowing reviews. Colorado Springs is also home to a plethora of businesses that focus on self-care, including PureLee Redefined, Ace of Fadez Barbershop, Babe Natural, and the Beauty Bar Salon and Spa — which focuses on creating a culture and community driven by creativity and personal growth.
When it comes to bettering your business, Guerrilla Media is a video production company that can elevate your company’s marketing efforts, improving reach and bolstering credibility, while ReginaSpeaking is an educational resource consulting firm specializing in communication, presentation, corporate and academic training. Nonprofit CommunityWorks empowers the unemployed and those with barriers to employment with job preparation and placement opportunities. Firma IT Solutions, voted the top cybersecurity company in Colorado Springs Business Journal’s Best in Business 2017, provides data integrity and system security to small businesses.
Colorado Springs is home to an array of diverse Black-owned businesses that contribute to the city’s prosperity, strengthen economic opportunities, and enrich the community. For additional Black-owned businesses head to the Colorado Springs Black Chamber of Commerce and Visit Colorado Springs, or contact us for more information about starting a business in Colorado Springs.