Pasadena Celebrates Black Business Month With Support for Local Entrepreneurs – Pasadena Now

August marks Black Business Month in Pasadena, a time dedicated to celebrating and supporting Black-owned businesses throughout the city.

The City of Pasadena encourages residents to visit Black-owned restaurants, clothing stores and other establishments during the month-long observance. The city promotes these businesses not just in August, but year-round.

Pasadena’s Parks & Recreation Department maintains an online directory of Black-owned businesses. The PDF list, updated Jan. 31, 2025, includes more than 200 businesses in Pasadena and Altadena across 15 categories.

To see the list, download this: https://www.cityofpasadena.net/parks-and-rec/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/ListofBlackOwnedBusinesses1.31.2025.pdf.

Black Business Month highlights the contributions of Black entrepreneurs nationwide. The observance encourages communities to actively support these businesses through various means.

Economic empowerment drives much of the month’s importance. Black-owned businesses contribute significantly to the economy and create jobs in their communities.

These businesses often invest in and support the areas where they operate. This investment fosters growth and development in local neighborhoods.

The month also addresses challenges and inequities faced by Black entrepreneurs. It celebrates the resilience and innovation of Black business owners while encouraging their continued success.

Residents can support Black-owned businesses in several ways. These include actively seeking out and purchasing from these establishments and spreading information about them through social networks.

Social media engagement also helps. Following, liking, sharing and leaving reviews for Black-owned businesses increases their visibility.

Community members can also attend events and participate in initiatives that support Black businesses throughout the year.

The city’s Black History Festival in February focused on recovery after the Eaton Fire, connection, and joy for the resilient community. During the planning stage in January, Pixie Boyden, co-chair of the Black History Parade & Festival Planning Committee, discussed the committee’s goals after adjustments following the fire.

“Bringing together various resources to support our community in this unprecedented time of need, as well as providing a bit of joy is what the committee hopes to provide,” Boyden said.