Black-Owned Businesses in Jersey City

Written By Hari Andar

August was Black Business Month, the same month we launched our first product, the Misrak Toiletry bag. Unfortunately launching a business doesn’t just involve putting your passion into the world, but also agonizing over things like marketing, PR, SEO…. It's a lot!  

So here’s a list of small, black-owned, local businesses in Jersey City to make it easy for you to support the community. While the focus of this article is black-owned, it will indicate if a business is also woman- or mom-owned. It is in no way comprehensive or intended to be exclusive and will grow over time. If you or someone you know operates a black, woman, or mom-owned business in Jersey City please reach out via the contact page or fill out this form and we’ll get them added. 

Contents

  1. Beauty and Wellness

  2. Fashion and Accessories

  3. Fitness and Fun

  4. Food and Drink

  5. Kids and Family

  6. Professional Services

  7. Travel and Hospitality

From cafes, to beauty services, to pottery and pilates studios, professional services and family activities, Jersey City is home to some amazing black-owned ventures.

1. Beauty and Wellness

Apothequery

Founded by Q. Powell, Apothequery is a healing practice offering Spiritual Life Coaching, Reiki and Organization. They cater guidance for spiritual/ religious practices while also encouraging clients to remain open in the spirit of moving forward. 

  • What to shop/book/try: Free consultation 

  • Why People Love It? It gives people a push in the right direction while maintaining a space of grace and love. 

  • Black-owned, Woman-owned, Mom-owned

Manna Hair Studio  

Leya Graham has made Manna Hair Studio’s mission to create effortless, personalized hair that celebrates every texture and helps women feel confident in their everyday lives. 

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2. Fashion and Accessories

OOOasis Travel 

OOOasis Travel was born from a simple but persistent problem: Finding a toiletry bag that was both functional AND beautiful. After two years of development we launched the toiletry bag and a travel lifestyle brand created around one simple idea: getting out of office should feel effortless, whether we’re talking packing or otherwise

  • What to shop/book/try: If you’re a pro traveler you’ll love the Misrak Toiletry Bag with its patent pending modular design, aesthetic exterior and functional interiors (shop here). You might also enjoy all of our Type A travel intel on the OOO blog (sign up for our newsletter right here)!

  • Why People Love It? 5 modular and removable compartments and a 360 rotating loop make everything easy to see and access… so no more digging or struggling to contain spills. Vegan leather exterior gives it an elegant look while PVC interior makes it easy to clean. 

  • Black-owned, Woman-owned, Mom-owned

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3. Fitness and Fun

Cornerstone Pilates 

Cornerstone Pilates aims to create strength through support, purpose, and joy. Their reformer studio is designed with warmth and intention, combining expert instruction and mindful movement in a space that feels peaceful and empowering. 

Four Fitness 

Four Fitness, founded by Marcisco Morrison in 2014 is renowned for functional training using the 4MMG System, targeting legs, core, back, and chest. Recognized as Yelp's top gym since 2015, they offer personalized and group training programs tailored to individual needs. 

Rewax and Unwine

ReWax & UnWine brings groups together for interactive candle-making experiences. Classes are BYOB and guided by candle artisans and turn into a party with Karaoke and candle trivia while you wait for your candles to set. 

  • What to shop/book/try: Ultimate Candle Making Experience is the most popular event

  • Why People Love It? People love that you can BYOB and the karaoke or interactive games while you wait for your candles to set in the second half of the Ultimate Candle Making Experience 

  • Black-owned

Sandy Mones Pottery

The studio is a space welcoming to those who love to create, those seeking a new experience, and those looking to discover the artist within. Classes are offered for every level, with beginners and first timers invited to start your journey with clay.

  • What to shop/book/try: The special pottery fun Friday with $10 off wheel throwing 

  • Why People Love It? People like the instruction and the fact that it’s BYOB

  • Black-owned, Woman owned

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4. Food and Drink

Abake Cafe 

A literary fourth space dedicated to fostering connections and empowering communities through quality coffee and storytelling.

  • What to shop/book/try:  Good coffee sourced from various regions in Africa along with nice pastries like cardamom buns and conchas

  • Why People Love It? Cozy, welcoming atmosphere, thoughtfully curated book selection, and comfortable seating options with clean restrooms and fast Wi-Fi.

  • Black-owned, Woman-owned

Harry’s Daughter 

This Caribbean gastropub was inspired by the founder’s passion for the food and feel of her childhood in Trinidad and Tobago. Threading a fine line between relaxed and refined, the food elevates the flavors of Caribbean home cooking in unique and thoughtful ways, while the drink program combines tropical flavors with the latest trends in cocktails. 

  • What to shop/book/try: Jerk chicken egg rolls, short ribs, pumpkin rice, Jerk Salmon and rum punch 

  • Why People Love It? Relaxed Caribbean atmosphere and decor, cocktails and food. There is also outdoor seating and live music on select days.

  • Black-owned, Woman-owned

Griot Cafe

Griot Café fuses both the Haitian and West African meaning of Griot and focuses not only on serving great food, but providing a space where you can create pleasant memories. 

  • What to shop/book/try: Kenyan Beignets, Haitian turnos, Chicken and waffles 

  • Why People Love It? Relaxed atmosphere with a kids play area, good brunch food and drinks

  • Black-owned


Ko Cafe

KO Cafe is an African inspired cafe and event space that can be booked for private brunches and podcast sessions. 

  • What to shop/book/try: The Chai latte seems to be a customer favorite, people say it’s authentic and doesn’t use premixed ingredients. 

  • Why People Love It? The relaxed atmosphere and ability to co-work or comfortably catch up with friends as well as cultural snacks like the spicy Jerk samosas or Jollof rice. 

  • Black-owned

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5. Kids and Family

Jelly’s Corner

Jelly’s Corner is a Jersey City–based, Black- and woman-owned children’s enrichment business founded by early childhood educator and mom Anjelica “Jelly” Williams. Through Reggio Emilia–inspired workshops, Jelly creates joyful spaces where young children and their caregivers can explore process art, sensory play, nature, music, movement, and hands-on discovery while building meaningful connections together.

  • What to shop/book/try:  Book one of Jelly’s Corner’s family workshops or community pop-ups! From the signature Pantry to Paintbrush experience to sensory play, nature art, rhythm and movement, and seasonal Little Makers workshops, each experience invites children ages 12 months–6 years and their caregivers to create and explore together.

  • Why People Love It? Families love Jelly’s Corner because it feels personal, welcoming, and intentionally designed for young children. There’s no pressure to create a “perfect” product—children are encouraged to follow their curiosity, get messy, experiment, move, and create at their own pace while caregivers experience the joy alongside them. It’s not just a class; it’s a space for connection, creativity, and childhood wonder.

  • Black-owned, Woman-owned, Mom-owned

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6. Professional Services

Lex Creative Collective

Lex Creative Collective is a social media and digital branding agency. Alexa works with founders and business owners on social strategy, content creation, and brand storytelling, handling the day to day so their page stays consistent while they run everything else.

  • What to shop/book/try:  If you want to start building your social presence without committing to a monthly retainer, book a content day. It's a 1:1 session that leaves you with reels, b-roll, and photos you can post for weeks. 

  • Why People Love It? Filming and editing content is the thing most business owners keep pushing to next week, so a content day takes that off their plate entirely. We shoot in one session and clients get reels, b-roll, and photos that are ready to post. One afternoon solves a problem they've been sitting on for months.

  • Black-owned, Woman-owned, Mom-owned

Photography By Esohe

Esohe Alile is behind Photography by Esohe a Jersey City portrait studio offering newborn, maternity, family, and milestone photography with 14 years of experience behind the lens. 

  • What to shop/book/try: Book a Christmas mini session, or a newborn, maternity, or family milestone shoot — sessions can be tailored for growing families. 

  • Why People Love It? Clients love how comfortable and relaxed Esohe makes them feel in front of the camera, and how authentic their portraits turn out.

  • Black-owned, Woman-owned, Mom-owned

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7. Travel and Hospitality

See OOOasis Travel in Fashion and Accessories

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Last Updated September 2026

Hari Andar
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