National Black Business Month: Show Appreciation to Black Food Folks with Thamee’s Womxn-operated and BIPOC-Focused Gift Case

 National Black Business Month (NBBM) was created to stimulate spending with Black-owned companies. August 1st marked the 17th annual National Black Business Month.  I am passionate about advocating for small businesses, specifically those owned by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. National Black Business Month is the perfect time for everyone to be intentional about how they spend their dollars.

“It is our hope that anyone who receives an NBBM Curated Gift Case knows they are valued and appreciated for the work they do and for their continued support of BIPOC-, woman-, immigrant-, and family-owned businesses like Thamee. We see you, we thank you, and we hope you know someone in our community cares for you.“

– Simone Jacobson, Thamee Co-Owner & Director of Operations

To show appreciation to some Black food folks, I’ve teamed up with Thamee to create a list of some of the Black food folks around the DC area who continuously work hard to support the Black community. WOW!, Thamee’s tiny wine shop, officially launched on Thursday, August 13th. In celebration of NBBM, Thamee is coordinating Curated Gift Cases of 6 bottles of wine!

I have been supporting Thamee since day one, enjoying the savory dishes of the only Burmese restaurant in DC. Thamee has always showed up and showed out for the BIPOC community. With their BIPOC Pantry and Black Farm Bag to support Black farmers. This is why I am excited to be partnering with Thamee on this initiative, showing appreciation to Black food folks.

The NBBM Curated Gift Case was created with one simple idea in mind, celebrating Black food folks by sending a simple message: “let us take care of you.” According to Simone Jacobson, Thamee Co-Owner & Director of Operations, “It is our hope that anyone who receives an NBBM Curated Gift Case knows they are valued and appreciated for the work they do and for their continued support of BIPOC-, woman-, immigrant-, and family-owned businesses like Thamee. We see you, we thank you, and we hope you know someone in our community cares for you.“

In appreciation of Black food folks, purchases of the NBBM Curated Gift Case can be made on Thursday, August 13th. WOW! will host a soft launch from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Thursday of the tiny wine shop via pre-orders on Toast where guests can select an option for either pick-up or delivery. Starting on Wednesday, August 19th, delivery services will be offered twice weekly on Wednesday and Thursday between 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., with pick-up options from Friday to Sunday during Thamee’s operating hours.

Appreciating Black Food Folks

Purchase a NBBM Curated Gift Case for one of the great Black Food Folks below, or show love and appreciation to anyone you like in the DC area.

1. Paola Velez, Chef at Maydan/Bakers Against Racism – @smallorchids
2. Angel Barreto, Chef at Anju – @angellbarreto
3. Naku & Christina Mayo, Food & Beverage Photographers/Back to Black Pop-up – @mayo2media
4. Andra “AJ” Johnson, Managing Partner at Serenata/DMV Black Restaurant Week/Back to Black Pop-up – @whiteplatesblackfaces
5. LaTonia Cokely, Owner at Adjourn Tea House – @adjournteahouse
6. Zachari, Operations & Resource Director; Violet King, Farm Manager; and Gabrielle Gilliam, Market Manager, at Dreaming out Loud – @doldc
7. Armani Johnson, Chef at ABC Pony – @11cutsandburns
8. Peter Prime and Jeanine Prime, Owners – @cane_dc
9. Takera Gholson, Food Blogger and Hospitality Advocate – @flightsandfoods
10. Anela Malik, Food Blogger and Food Advocate at Feed the Malik – @feedthemalik
11. Allison Lane, Bartenders Against Racism – @bartendersagainstracism
12. Michael Habtemariam, Biniyam Habtemariam, and Hareg Mesfin, Owners at Roaming Rooster – @roamingrooster
13. Veronica Cooper, Owner at Culture Coffee Too – @culture_coffee_too
14. April Johnson, Founder of @happieddc – @aprilndecember
15. Michelle King, Food Advocate at Lift Every Fork – @lifteveryfork
16. Damian Brown, Owner and Chef at The Uncaged Chefs – @kissthech3f
17. LaWanda White, Founder and PR Specialist at Independently PR – @lathepowerpublicist
18. Kapri Robinson, President; Michael Holiday, Co-Founder; Denaya Jones, Content Curator; and Anisha Gupta, Co-Founder at Chocolate City’s Best – @chocolate.citys.best
19. Nina Oduro, Maame Boakye, and Nana Ama Afari-Dwamena, Founders at Dine Diaspora – @dinediaspora
20. Toyin Alli, Owner at Puddin’ – @dcpuddin