Helping preserve Boston’s Black history

During this week’s City Council meeting, the Council adopted a resolution highlighting the Boston Black Hospitality Coalition’s work to help impacted Black businesses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the past several months, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing economic challenges faced by small businesses, in particular, small Black businesses across the country and here in the City of Boston.

According to the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, nearly one-fifth of restaurants in Massachusetts (20 percent) have permanently closed due to the pandemic. The Boston Black Hospitality Coalition, founded by Nia Grace, owner of Darryl’s Corner Bar & Restaurant, and Royal C. Smith, owner of District 7 Tavern, has magnified and amplified the need for resources to ensure that Black-owned restaurants can stay afloat during the pandemic and beyond.

Since its launch, the Boston Black Hospitality Coalition has been able to provide support to small Black-owned restaurants throughout the City, and in particular, businesses in already underserved neighborhoods such as Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan.

Members of the Boston Black Hospitality Coalition were honored by Council President Janey and Councilor Mejia during a special presentation at the start of the Council meeting. Today, the Boston Black Hospitality Coalition continues to be on the frontlines fighting and prioritizing the future of the City’s Black-owned restaurant community and expanding the number of liquor licenses held by Black businesses.