One early winter morning in Oakdale, Minnesota, the cash drawer at a HomeGoods jammed shut with the night’s revenue locked inside. Management needed it opened immediately. The call went to one man: “Five-Star Chuck.” Less than an hour later, Charles “Chuck” Bradley was on site, opening the drawer with practiced precision. The store opened on […]
Black Business Spotlight
This space is dedicated to offer snapshots of Minnesota’s Black-owned businesses.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
SOAR Stretch Therapy connects the dots
Roseann Stewart, better known as “The Stretch Lady,” has made it her mission to transform how Minnesotans think about wellness. Through her business, SOAR Stretch Therapy, she helps clients manage pain, improve mobility, and preserve long-term health. Stewart works with people recovering from injuries or surgeries, as well as those navigating aging joints, swelling, or […]
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
ProVisionAry Childcare
ProVisionAry Childcare in North Minneapolis brings cultural pride and community care together. Founder Danielle Tucker’s Afro-centric, home-based program focuses on faith, inclusion, and affirming every child’s identity.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
Essential Salt Spa
After a 40 minute session changed her breathing and sense of smell, Greta Sher opened Essential Salt Spa in Minneapolis. The spa’s dry salt therapy circulates pharmaceutical grade sodium chloride to help clear airways and calm skin conditions. Sher says halotherapy supports, not replaces, treatment plans and is part of a more affordable, inclusive approach to wellness.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
Gumbo
Gumbo digital health platform pairs culturally tailored health education with community health workers so patients can navigate care in their own language and context. Free to patients. Licensed by providers.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
Escape to Paradise LLC
Escape to Paradise, led by therapist Shantel Seraaj, reopens with 14 treatment rooms and a specialty in post-operative lymphatic drainage massage for faster, more comfortable recoveries. The clinic also offers body sculpting, deep tissue and relaxation massage, and on-site faja tailoring.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
Lip Esteem
Lip Esteem, the Rondo rooted brand by Tameka Jones, is rising fast with plant based cosmetics, new products Double Take and Main Character, and partnerships with pro teams.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
Spyce Pilates
Black Business Spotlight: Spyce Pilates opens this fall in the Twin Cities, bringing inclusive wellness and representation to the Pilates community.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
Beyond New Distribution Center
The Beyond New Distribution Center, founded by Marsha D. Carter, provides affordable furniture for people transitioning out of homelessness, along with thrift, empowerment, and community programs.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
Cici’s Cupcakes
Cici’s Cupcakes offers bold, custom flavors made-to-order by Minneapolis baker Ciara Flowers.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
Shotspotter
ShotSpotter, the real-time gunfire detection tech developed by SoundThinking, is being deployed in U.S. cities to reduce firearm deaths—but questions remain about its impact on majority-Black communities.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
Cornel Beard is building legacy through design
Cornel Beard, founder of Charizma Agency, built his Minneapolis-based creative studio around the idea that design should do more than look good — it should move people. Read how his journey from Army service to art school led to a culturally rooted firm helping organizations tell meaningful stories.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
The Birth Revolution
Nadine Ashby is creating a radical shift in birth work. The Birth Revolution centers Black, queer, and trans birthing people through affirming training, support, and joy-filled community care.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
Mind the Crown
Adrianna Willis founded Mind the Crown to empower Black women through self-care, affirmation and mental health advocacy. Her work amplifies the message that therapy, boundaries and joy are essential.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
W&W Protection
W&W Protection is more than a security firm. Founder Will Dinga built it to offer men with complicated pasts a shot at stability, growth, and leadership — proving that one opportunity can change everything.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
Flow Hair and Beauty
Black-owned Flow Hair and Beauty in Uptown Minneapolis offers more than hair products. The shop provides a healing space for people navigating medical hair loss and builds community with care.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
36 Lyn Refuel Station
36 Lyn Refuel Station marked its 20th anniversary with a celebration of local culture, clean energy, and community. Under Lonnie McQuirter’s leadership, the store has become a national model for socially conscious retail.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
BrightRay
BrightRay blends West African tradition with natural self-care through its triple-butter body products and holistic approach to wellness.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
Truly Natural Hair Studio
Truly Natural Hair Studio in Minneapolis offers a wellness-centered approach to natural hair care, led by owner Chanda McDaniel’s 30+ years of expertise.
Posted inBlack Business Spotlight
Justice 929
Selwyn Jones, uncle of George Floyd, turns grief into action. Through Justice 929, he pushes for reform, builds tech for safety, and keeps fighting for justice.