With Valentine’s Day coming up and Black History Month underway, there are many local Black-owned businesses that you can support (although it is important to recognize and support BIPOC businesses every month of the year). Take a peek at this list to get some ideas, whether you’re giving yourself some love this Valentine’s Day or wanting to appreciate someone special in your life!

Aggüdo coffee

Aggüdo Coffee is a local cafe in Kensington (near the Sunnyside C-Train!) and features a variety of Ethiopian coffee beans. The first Aggüdo opened in downtown Calgary in 2019 and then moved to Kensington in 2020.

Yenny Delights

Yenny Delights is an Afro-Caribbean Restaurant led by Executive Chef Toyin Adepoju, who infuses passion and creativity into every dining experience. They specialize in authentic African dishes as well as a variety of other cuisines.

Abyssinia Restaurant

Abyssinia Restaurant is located on 12th Ave downtown and serves the unique and ancient traditional cuisine of Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Flavours Restaurant

When Adebola Esan and her husband moved from Nigeria to Calgary, her passion for cooking led her to open her own restaurant, which is located in NW Calgary and specializes in authentic Nigerian cuisine.

Ellie Bianca

Ellie Bianca was founded by Evelyne Nyairo, who grew up in Kenya and experienced a culture of gender inequality. From this, she was inspired to create a skincare line that was eco-friendly, sustainable, ethical, and helped every woman to embrace her strength and natural beauty.

Tish Jewelry

Lateisha created her namesake collection of jewelry with a purpose – to design collections with elements that accent and enhance a woman’s inner beauty.

Iconic Salon

Iconic Salon has been around for over eight years and offers a wide range of beauty services, such as haircuts, braids, extensions, colour, services and more.

Hadash Jewelries

Anthonia Ashade founded Hadash Jewelries to remind the wearer of their worth and to look in the mirror with a smile. Every Hadash piece is handmade and designed using Polymer Clay.

Agụ Athletics

The word “Agụ” comes from the Igbo tribe of Nigeria and translates most commonly to lion or lioness. The activewear brand inspires people to be courageous, determined, and persistent.

Black Small Business Market

Looking for a way to support more local Black-owned businesses this month! Conveniently, you won’t even have to leave campus!

On February 28 from 11 am – 2 pm, join us in Wyckham House as the second floor transforms into the Black Small Business Market, done in partnership with the African Caribbean Student Society. Come support and have a chat with local Black-owned businesses, and make sure to stick around on February 28 for the Black History Month Showcase in Wyckham House at 12 pm, which will feature a variety of performances!

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Looking for more ways to spread the love and celebrate Black History on campus? Check out our Black History Month Events Calendar, highlighting the Black community and experiences of the Black diaspora!

For general inquiries, contact us at info@samru.ca.