Black-owned alumni businesses
Join us in supporting and celebrating our Black alumni business owners. Please note that as of June 2023, this list is no longer being updated. To have your business featured in the BU Connects Business Directory, click the button below.
BlackMoneyMVMT
Gabrielle Lawson (CGS’16, Questrom’18)
#BlackMoneyMVMT (IG: @blackmoneymvmt) is a Black Women founded virtual community focused on Black Economics, Black Small Businesses, Artistry, and more. They exist to reallocate the Black Dollar and influence spending within the Black Community with the help of ally communities. BlackMoneyMVMT provides its network with resources, hosts events, runs digital campaigns, and curates content to highlight Black excellence and financially support the Black community. Access their Black-Owned Restaurant Directory and other resources here.
CrucianPoint
Shomari Moorehead (MET’01,’06)
A full-service agency—they write, design, develop, build, and support! CrucianPoint focuses on user-centered design and development of web and mobile applications, as well as engaging Internet marketing. They apply theories from human perception and action, human cognition, and behavioral research methodologies to their design practices.
Cupcake Therapy
Shironda White (Questrom’18)
Launched by a foodie with a lot of allergies, Cupcake Therapy is a tree nut-free and peanut-free facility that bakes made-to-order cupcakes. They bake with premium ingredients, organic when possible, and many of our cupcakes can be made dairy-free/vegan. Located in Boston, MA.
Delan Associates, Inc.
Michael Chung (ENG’85)
DAI specialize in engineering services, training services, general support and management services, and specialized manufacturing.
DMV MEGA Booths
Christopher Wade (CAS’99)
DMV MEGA Booth is a premier social activation and branding company for life events. Our vision is to offer stellar customer service while providing unique innovative products and services. With more than 10 years of experience in the event industry, we strive for continuous quality improvement and pioneer cutting-edge technology to enhance the customer experience.
Golden Goals
Anthony Dongfack (SAR’20, CAS’21)
A professional career advising service that helps young professionals reflect their true worth via their career profiles to all companies, institutions, and programs they apply to. Offering live, remote consultations to refine resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters, and network building strategies.
Gulf Stream Brewing Company
Sharee Eriks (LAW’10)
Our goal is simple: brew beer we love to drink! Find a wide variety of award-winning modern and traditional craft beer on tap at Gulf Stream Brewing Company. Balanced, flavorful, creative, and delicious craft beer enjoyed in a laid-back environment makes our taproom the perfect escape!
Halo 7 Rum
Ashley Jackson (LAW’11)
Halo 7 was created by two black women, Ashley Jackson and JeNai Stanley, who are god sisters based out of the Chicago area. Avid rum drinkers, Ashley & JeNai sought to develop a rum that honored the tradition and heritage of rum and built on the craft spirit movement. Meant to be a sipping rum, Halo 7 challenges the misconceptions of rum, elevates the rum experience, and captivates spirit drinkers of all types.
Idyllic by India
India Smith (CAS’18)
Shop for journals, stickers, bookmarks and much more with this Georgia-based, one-woman run, black-owned business. Designs and products are updated regularly. Shop for gifts for the person in your life who loves pink, glitter, and all things cute!
Interventional Pain & Spine Care
Juliet Gyebi-Foster (CAS’06, MED’10)
Located in Ijamsville, MD.
JMS Transportation LLC
Joe Maleus (Wheelock’22)
JMS Transportation provides safe, reliable, and efficient student transportation. We ensure that vehicles and vans are maintained for safe and reliable transportation for all eligible students to and from schools, as well as extracurricular activity trips.
Kin Southern Table + Bar
Julia Broome (CGS’07, Questrom’09)
Kin Southern Table + Bar is a full-service restaurant opening in Spring 2021 in Downtown Providence, Rhode Island. We will offer classic Southern/Soul food including shrimp + grits, po’boys, fried chicken, and collard greens. We aim to create a space where everyone can celebrate Black culture and feel like part of our Kin!
Law Office of Enjoli Alexander
Enjoli Alexander (CAS’10)
Attorney Enjoli Alexander practices family law (divorce, child support, child custody, paternity, prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements. and separate support), landlord/tenant law (evictions, breach of lease, roommate disputes), and child welfare law in Suffolk, Middlesex, and Norfolk counties of Massachusetts.
LiveWire Collaborative
Angela Pitter (ENG’86, MET’93)
They build comprehensive digital marketing solutions that expand and strengthen customer engagements and are aligned with your business objectives. LiveWire Collaborative offers a complimentary 20-minute initial consultation where you can chat about your business vision and strategy and how to use online marketing to amplify your voice and share of wallet.
LKeeneArt
Linda Baker Keene (Questrom’73)
Linda Keene is a self-taught fiber artist based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Nkemdilim
Caroline Ezekwesili (SPH’20)
Uplifting communities. Virtual Doula Services: Supporting your pregnancy, birth, and transition into life with your new baby. Professional Development: Equipping you with the skills to attain your professional goals.
Poetry, Parties & Plates LLC
Antonella Achille (GRS’14, SHA’16)
Poetry, Parties & Plates aims to impact our community through different segments; Palates & Poetry, The Write Experience and The Write Pairing, that ignites creativity and fosters collaborations with minority owned businesses. Palates & Poetry are monthly curated poetry events that boast partnerships with other minority owned small businesses. The Write Experience, is one on one or group writing sessions that push your pen. Attendees are given prompts to uncover hidden talent, emotions and more! The Write Pairing is a session for anyone who wants to be creative but not quite sure how! We’ll walk you through different culinary experiences and pair them with poetry.
Polyphonic Studios
Morgan James Peters (CGS’88, CAS’91, COM’93)
A state-of-the-art recording studio and content creation company; created by and for audiophile producers, artists, and audio engineers. They also offer remote services in mixing, mastering, and editing for a host of recording artists, producers, and record labels from around the country. Located in Bourne, MA.
The Pursuit of Happiness Therapy LLC
Tracie Pinnock (CAS’08)
Pinnock is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who works with women and couples. She specializes in helping women to cope with challenging life transitions such as break-ups, remarriage, deaths, job loss, and many other life challenges.
Rhodes Financial Services
Valerie Rhodes (CGS’81, Questrom’83)
Specializing in accounting and taxes. They also provide support for business or individual that needs assistance in audit purposes, proper tax planning, and financial planning. Located in Lithonia, GA.
RLA Management
Wesley Alston (Questrom’05)
A full-service management and marketing agency presenting a level of hard work and insight unmatched within the industry. Services include contract negotiations, endorsements, financial risk management, draft preparation, legal support, community outreach & foundation management, post-career opportunities, and concierge services. Located in New York, NY.
Shannon Finney Photography
Shannon Finney (STH’96)
Shannon’s clients are as diverse as their stories – from U.S. Presidents and Hollywood stars to weddings and B’nai Mitzvahs, family portraits to executive portraits, 50th-anniversary celebrations to corporate events, fashion photography and theatrical headshots. Her work has appeared online and in numerous print publications, including The Washington Post, The New York Times, Politico, The Washingtonian, Modern Luxury DC, Capitol File, Black Enterprise, and The Alexandria Times.
Smart girl. Smart money
Gabrielle Oates (CGS’16, COM’18)
Smart girl. Smart money. is a team of two Black sisters who strive to provide education and community to those interested in personal finance. Whether that be tips of saving money for groceries or whether to invest in the stock market, they work to provide information to other women and people who are searching.
Standard Pour LI
Shanelle County (SAR’08)
As a black women-owned, Long Island-based business, we pride ourselves in providing an experience that indicates the level of commitment we’ve made to honoring every aspect of our mission. Our coffee and tea are crafted of the highest quality and have been carefully sourced to add to our customer experience. Although we set the Standard with our craft selection of coffee & teas, we take the cafe experience to another level with our food options. Whether you’re stopping in for your morning coffee, or in need of a savory eat, we’ve got you covered. Our menu is nothing short of flavor and spice. We guarantee that you’ll come back for more!
Stackwell Capital
Trevor Rozier-Byrd (LAW’10)
Stackwell’s mission is to create real, meaningful, generational change by providing the Black community with the financial investment tools and guidance necessary to help build lasting wealth, equity, and equal opportunity – because change is long overdue.
Styled by Ola
Abiola Agoro (CAS’21)
Styled by Ola is a combination unique private design label and full range styling service. Styled by Ola offers a full range of design-based needs to clientele, with an aesthetic that combines west African cultural identity and evolving black urban fashion. Design styles can range from streetwear to couture based on client needs and current design trends.
Sunrise Consulting, LLC
Judy M. Ford (Sargent’90)
After 20+ years of serving as a leader, volunteer, and mentor in philanthropy and the non-profit sector, Judy M. Ford established Ms. Judy M. Ford | Life…by Design!℠ Signature Coaching Programs & Services, Sunrise Consulting, LLC, with a mission to: “Illuminate pathways to personal fulfillment and professional success by unleashing the individual power for creativity and transformation from within.” As Founder & CEO, Judy provides executive/leadership development, career/job, and holistic life coaching services tailored to the life advancement and professional development needs of individuals; as well as staff and leaders within organizations – with particular expertise in meeting the coaching needs of: individuals facing major career/life transitions; professional women; women in leadership; small business women entrepreneurs; next generation/emerging leaders; first-generation immigrant leaders; and leaders of color. Integrating a leadership philosophy deeply rooted in the values of servant and transformational leadership with the philosophy and methodology of Coaching as a Healing Practice℠, a holistic coaching philosophy centered in healing, wellness, wholeness, and life advancement that she developed, Judy provides uniquely tailored, breakthrough coaching services that are particularly focused on supporting comprehensive development of the ‘soft skills’ critically necessary for 21st-century life satisfaction, career success, and leadership effectiveness.
Judy brings the full complement of her life experience (personal and professional) to her role as a coach – embodied in a coaching style that is welcoming, compassionate, insightful and non-judgmental; while at the same time learning-focused, action-oriented, and results-driven. Through her specialty as a holistic life & transition coach, and her Coaching as a Healing Practice℠ philosophy and methodology, Judy creates an expansive space for her clients to recognize, honor, and live from their naturally creative, resourceful, and whole selves; and it is from this space that they are able to achieve the kind of understanding, self-awareness, decision-making, action and ‘conscious choosing’ that leads to the fundamental changes they want in service of the kind of work and lives they truly desire. Judy’s deep and varied knowledge and experience as a leader in philanthropy and the social sector makes her particularly effective with clients whose lives, interests, and/or professional work are connected to these fields.
Volunteers Incorporating Black Excellence, Inc.
Shameka Coleman (Wheelock’14)
Volunteers Incorporating Black Excellence, Inc. (VIBE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating volunteering experiences for volunteers who identify with the African Diaspora and volunteers that would like to volunteer alongside us. Based in Massachusetts, we set out to diversify the volunteering field with each volunteering event we create, organize, and share in Cambridge, Boston, and surrounding cities.
YOurMindsDesign
Yolanda Ortiz (CFA’12)
Strategic and visual communications designer with extensive experience in print media and process/project management. Core capabilities include creative and effective print design of annual reports, brochures, sales sheets, apparel, logos, corporate communications, marketing collateral. It is YOurMindsDesign’s philosophy that anyone with the desire to simply put their best foot forward should have an affordable and creative means to do so.