By FAITH GIRTON - June 17, 2020
By Faith Girton
During this time of high civil and social unrest, Black people are eagerly seeking justice for those who lost their lives to the system and those left behind to still live through it. We have seen multiple protests, marches, mass looting, and sit-ins around the country in all 50 states and there is still more to come. Black people are asking “What Next?” As justice is slowly being realized, we are still yearning to create more change to a society that still wants to leave African Americans out. Many people, like myself, feel that the “What Next?” is economic. There is a push to make corporate America feel the pain of disrespecting the black dollar. The perception and painful reality is, that these large businesses want the black dollar and at the same time do not value our community or black lives just as politicians and police officers don't either. We need to start putting not only our focus on those who value us, but also those who value our money.
Because of this, we have seen a surge in economic protests being created. To name a few, the #BlackOutDay2020 on July 7th was organized by Calvin Martyr. The goal of this economic protest is to circulate black dollars back into black businesses and black communities. They are calling for economic solidarity and the economic empowerment of black people. This particular protest calls for no spending on Tuesday, July 7th, 2020. Another circulating protest idea is similar but is more consistent. It is called BlackOutTuesday. BlackOutTuesday has the same premise as #BlackOutDay2020, but is calling for Black people to economically protest EVERY Tuesday.
The last circulating idea is for Black communities to truly celebrate on the day that is for us. The premise of this is to protest and boycott all 4th of July activities, gatherings, events, and to not buy anything on that day. Instead, we will celebrate and enjoy each other on June 19th aka Juneteenth. June 19th, 1865 is considered the day the slaves were actually freed upon the signing of the emancipation proclamation in 1863 because it was not enforced until after the end of the Civil War. Black people are encouraged to celebrate on this day, preferably still only spending money with black owned businesses and to completely protest any, and all things 4th of July.
The push to #BuyBlack and redirect our funds back into our communities is important but can be very difficult. Many black businesses are small, meaning they do not have the demand needed to make prices as inexpensive as Walmart or McDonalds. But with simple research, community support, and time, we can get our black communities to be sufficient enough to sustain the supply and demand of being 100% black. The idea of buying Black is parallel with many other issues like poverty and lack of community resources such as banks or grocery stores. But with the right people who have passion and drive, we can start to eliminate these problems; by setting up our own grocery stores in food deserts, hiring young black children to work the businesses to keep them out of trouble, and rallying in more and more of our black friends, neighbors, and family members to join and stay on the path of “Buying Black”. Below, I have found and compiled a list of black owned restaurants here in Indianapolis. Eating at Black Owned restaurants is a start and I encourage everyone to find a feasible way to integrate them into their lives. Here are also a few more links to ways to find black owned products, businesses, and restaurants in Indianapolis and around the country.
Black Owned Restaurants in Indianapolis - From @eathereindy
African Restaurants:
Abyssinia
Axum Ethiopian
Deproof African
Kalakutah Republic Grill
Madina Restaurant
Major Restaurant
St. Yared Ethiopian Cuisine
Barbecue:
Bar-B-Q Heaven
Garrett’s Smokehouse
Hank’s Smoked Briskets
King Ribs Bar-B-Q
Pull Up Grill and BBQ
Caribbean:
Da Blue Lagoon
Jamaican Breeze
Seafood:
Chef Oya’s The Trap
Exotic on the Run
Krab Kingz
Sea Kings Seafood Kitchen
Williamson Fish Market
Soul Food:
Chef Tia and Co.
His Place Eatery
Kountry Kitchen
Maxine’s Chicken and Waffles
Michael’s Soul Kitchen
Mississippi Belle
Marble’s Southern Cookery
Vegan and Healthy Food:
Cul De Sac Kitchen
The Healthy Food Café
Paleo Soul
Smoove’s Indy
Fast Food and Food Trucks:
Backyard BBQ
Chuck’s Coney Island
Huge Impact Restaurant
Off the Hook
Papa Bears Chicken
R&R Extreme Wings
Mexican:
Comida
Pizza and Gastropubs:
18th Street Brewery
The Missing Brick
Pi Indy (@Sun King)
Tammy’s International Pizza
Wing’n it Pizza
Cafés:
Circadian Coffee Co.
Cleo’s Bodega and Café
Eat to Live Café
St. Yared Coffeehaus
Tea’s Me Café
Desserts:
Cretia Cakes Bake Shop
Gordon Milkshakes
Sweeties Gourmet Treats
TeeJay’s Sweetooth
Catering:
Black Bowe Bistro and Bakery
Healthy Soul
Jo with the Knife
Food Businesses:
Belief Coffee Co.
Indy Jars
Paradise Snax
Savor V
Please let us know if there are updates to this list. Just email me.