Black-Owned Businesses in the Iowa City Area
In honor of Black History Month, we’re highlighting some of the growing number of black-owned businesses we are fortunate to have in the Johnson County area. From crepes and soul food restaurants to artisan jewelers, sneaker stores, fashion houses, fitness centers, videographers, and travel professionals, we created this ultimate guide to make it easy for you to support black-owned businesses all year long!
We encourage you to follow these businesses on social media and make plans to visit them in person or online. We know that not all businesses are listed. If we’re missing a business you love, please let us know so we can add it. Also, as a note, some business information may have changed since the publication of this blog.
Restaurants
- Crêpes de Luxe Cafe
Owner Hicham Chehouani was born in Morocco and grew up in France. That’s what inspired him to open Crêpes de Luxe just steps from the Iowa City Ped Mall. It’s there you will find an ambiance and a delicious menu that is straight out of the countries that inspired him.
Location: 309 E College St, Iowa City, IA
- Da Flava Unit
Chicago transplants Tony and Zee Brown bring their hip-hop-inspired street eats to Da Flava Unit—with unique Caribbean flavors and mouth-watering veggie superstars.
Location: 1608 Sycamore St, Iowa City, IA
- Gyro Hicks Food Truck
The ladies behind Gyro Hicks Food Truck are bringing Chicago flavors to Iowa City with their fish and chicken, Italian beef, mac and cheese, candied yams, beef quarter-pound hot dogs, and so much more! As one enthusiast said, “Super fresh and flavorful, these ladies can cook!”
Location: Food truck, 910 S Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA
- I Love FUFU
Growing up in a mixed family in Guinea, Regina Dore (owner and chef of I Love FUFU) now shares her passion for African and Caribbean food with the Iowa City community. The menu includes jollof rice, popular West African soup egusi, oxtail, and more. In 2022, I Love Fufu was awarded Best African Cuisine or Market in Little Village’s Best of the CRANDIC awards.
Location: 230 E Benton Street, Iowa City IA
- Island VYBZ Food Truck
Chef Robert McLean started Island VYBZ in 2015. He moved from Jamaica to America when he was just 18 years old and later, he and his wife and five children relocated from New Jersey to Iowa City. Soon after, the food truck was born specializing in Jamaican food and putting its twist on burgers, pasta, and wraps.
Location: Mobile food truck, check Facebook for locations
- Royceann’s Soul Food
For owner Royceann Porter, serving great soul food is about more than just the food, it’s about the people. Porter, who is a Johnson County Supervisor, opened one of the first restaurants in Iowa City’s South District Market. Her culinary journey began decades ago at church and continued over the years at Summer of the Arts, the Iowa City Jazz Festival, and beyond.
Location: South District Market, 974 U.S. Highway 6, Iowa City, IA
- Rodney’s Jamaican Jerk & BBQ
Richard Rodney was born and raised in Jamaica. Now he brings the heart and soul of Jamaica to tables with authentic and flavorful dishes.
Location: 1104 S Gilbert St, Iowa City, IA
- Selina’s Creations
Owner Selina Gunn has been cooking with her aunts, mom, and grandmother all her life. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, she graduated from culinary school and then moved to Iowa City and started her own catering company. As Selina tells all of her patrons “I take traditional dishes and add my own twist!” Check out her take on shrimp and grits, 7up Pound Cake, Fried Salmon Salad, and so much more.
Location: 611 Southgate Street, Iowa City, IA
- Sugapeach Chicken & Fish Fry
America’s Best Restaurants called this restaurant soul food at its best. Owner Chad Simmons, and his wife, Carol Cater-Simmons aimed to bring the best-fried fish and chicken to the area that feels like going to your grandmother’s house on Thanksgiving.
Location: 650 Pacha Pkwy #1, North Liberty, IA
- Restaurant Gai
Owner Félicité Kolie brings a unique blend of flavors that will guide you through the most renowned dishes in Western Africa with Restaurant Gai. Customers rave about the plantain appetizer, fried rice with chicken, the choco, okra soup with fufu, homemade juices, and so much more.
Location: 104 1st Ave, Coralville, IA
- Wich-Uh-Waffle
Owner and Operator Eunice Upshaw sweetens events in the area with her Iowa City-based food truck that provides Belgian and Bubble waffles with a sweet and savory twist. Check out the full gamut of waffles ranging from ice cream sundae-style to S’mores, apple crisp, chopped cheese, buffalo chopped chicken, chicken tenders, and so many more.
Location: Mobile food truck, Iowa City, IA
Shops:
- Artisan Jewelry by Erica Gooding
Owner and Designer Erica Gooding, an Iowa City native, crafts each piece of jewelry by hand in her small Midwest studio, using sheet metal, wire, copper, sterling silver, gold/rose-gold fill, and gemstones. Gooding creates her unique earrings, necklaces, and more through forging, twisting, fabricating, stone setting, and acid etching.
- Vice Iowa City
With a shared interest in cool kicks—Anthony Casella, Peter Krogull, and Demetrius Perry combined forces to open Iowa City’s first buy/sell/trade sneaker store and boutique. Customers can bring in new or used sneakers, streetwear, and vintage items and get store credit or cash for their items.
Location: 312 E Prentiss Street, Iowa City, IA
- Wright House of Fashion
Andre Wright, a University of Iowa alum, started the first fashion house in Iowa with the mission to empower aspiring designers and artists of color to learn their craft for free. Known to many as one of the founders of Humanize My Hoodie, a brand that connects fashion with social justice, Wright grew up in Waterloo, Iowa. and has made his life in Iowa as a Black fashion designer. His work and the Wright House of Fashion have been featured on Iowa Public Radio’s Talk of Iowa.
Location: 910 S Gilbert Street, Iowa City, IA
- Born Leaders United
Wright also is behind Born Leaders United—which is a lifestyle brand that encompasses the passion, professionalism, and hustle of the everyday leader. Their motto is “We are all Born to lead. We are the Leaders in our own right. This line keeps us United!”
- JD Beauty Supply
Tasha Lard started JD Beauty to create a locally-owned beauty supply retailer that carries an extensive array of hair products catering to Black people and other people of color. It’s also been a community gathering place.
Location: 1067 Highway 6 E Iowa City, IA
- Haus of Esthetics
Haus of Esthetics Beauty Bar is a one-stop shop for all of your beauty needs! From facials, body waxing, and non-invasive body sculpting to hair care services, these ladies know how to take care of their customers.
Location: 412 Highland Ave Unit A, Iowa City, IA
- Finer Streetwear Co
Markeece Johnson started his trendy, fashion-forward business in Iowa City but quickly gained a nationwide customer base with his stylish streetwear.
Other:
- Anaman Concierge Services (ACS)
Travel in style with reliable, luxury limo transportation, group transportation, general chauffeur services, and airport shuttle service in and around the Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, and Cedar Rapids areas. Special rates to students and those visiting the Johnson County area for medical reasons. ACS is a family-owned minority business that has been in operation since 2017.
- Big J’s Barbershop
If you need a good cut, Big J’s will take care of you with their family-friendly and casual atmosphere. All textures are welcome! As one customer said, “Great service, awesome atmosphere, and even better haircut.”
Location: 329 East College St, Iowa City, IA
- Big Rich’s Concrete
If you need dirt, rock, or mulch delivery, Big Rich’s Concrete has got you covered. They also specialize in driveway repair, patios, garage floor replacement, step replacement, and ramps.
Location: 824 12th Avenue, Coralville, IA
- Vibe Boxing Fitness
Owner and Boxing Coach IB Funmilayo opened Vibe Boxing Fitness to help members obtain their own personal fitness goals through boxing, kickboxing, shred classes, and yoga classes.
Location: 1131 S Gilbert St, Ste 5, Iowa City, IA
- Versa Fitness
Nick Burrell created Versa Fitness to bring individual experiences to the group fitness setting. Allowing for a community environment with friendly coaches, chat groups, and member-created challenges.
Location: 2201 E Grantview Dr. STE 102, Coralville, IA
- ICOR Boxing
ICOR Boxing is one of Iowa City’s longest-operating amateur boxing clubs. They emphasize the importance of proper technique to ensure an individual’s skillset growth and safety offering a variety of classes for every skill level.
Location: 391 Highland Ave, Iowa City, IA
- BigDaddyHD DJ
Howard Dean a.k.a. DJ BIGDADDYHD provides mobile DJ services to clients throughout Eastern Iowa and ensures everyone has a stress-free day packed with special memories.
- Need Organizing – Go from Clutter to Calm
Sidney Young is a professional organizer who will help transform your home or office space into a functional sanctuary within your own four walls. Her business, which serves Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Tiffin, and surrounding areas, helps people realize the dream of creating a well-organized living space or office, where every item has a purpose and a designated place. Oh, and if you’re moving, she can also help you unpack and put things away.
- Caring Hands & More
Iowa City Mayor Bruce Teague started Caring Hands & More 20 years ago with the mission to serve individuals and families by providing in-home/companionship care, parent help, pet care, professional cleaning services, lawn care, and crisis stabilization. Teague graduated from West High School in Iowa City and the University of Iowa. His work with caring hands was inspired by his aunt and later Iowa City Hospice.
Location: 409 Kirkwood Ave, Iowa City, IA
- Diamond Label Films Destination Wedding Videographer
Joshua Booth provides photography, videography, and combined photo/video packages and prides himself on bringing your fairytale to life.
- Step Into Adventure Travel Specialist
Owner Jessica Harper started Step Into Adventure Travel Specialist to plan magical Disney vacations for residents of Johnson County and beyond.
- Knallhart Kennels & Training Academy
Chelsey Montgomery-Gusta is the owner and lead trainer of Knallhart Kennels & Training Academy. The academy specializes in personalized and elite dog training. She uses both positive reinforcement and corrective training–all structured to ensure clients understand the psychology behind the training. The academy also has experience training and certifying service dogs and therapy dogs for the disabled.
Location: 4434 Taft Ave SE, Iowa City, IA
- Reminders Plus Photography
Howard Hinton Jr. is an award-winning photographic artist who captures images that are not only beautiful but also tell a story that reflects your own unique style.
Show Your Support
We hope this list inspires you to support some of the businesses and entrepreneurs in our community. If you know a business that should be added to our list, please send the name and a quick write-up to [email protected]. Or comment on our social posts to spread the word!
