Philadelphia natives Jocelyn Johnson and Nadira Tarboro are lifelong friends who grew up in the town they now honor in the business they built together – Philadelphia Candle Company.
Each product is hand-poured, non-toxic, 100% vegan, and features a Philadelphia neighborhood on the label. The duo combines craftsmanship with luxury, in both style and scent. You can meet Jocelyn and Nadira at The Philly Home + Garden Show from February 20-22, 2026.
Thomas Harris orders lunch from the Chicken Hut, one of the oldest Black-owned businesses in Durham, which he says he has been a customer of since the 60s, on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021, in Durham, N.C.
Casey Toth
ctoth@newsobserver.com
Durham
After six decades of serving the hungry in Durham, the Chicken Hut has been officially preserved as a piece of the city’s living history.
In a unanimous vote Monday night, the Durham City Council granted the Chicken Hut local landmark status, recognizing both the building and the land it sits on. The restaurant is known as Durham’s oldest, continuously run Black-owned business.
The Chicken Hut, at 3019 Fayetteville St., has been owned by the Tapp family since 1957, when it was known as the Chicken Box, getting its start as a concession stand. The restaurant holds a significant spot in Durham’s history as a hub during the Civil Rights Movement, providing meals to jailed protesters and supporting local civil rights groups.
Last month, the Chicken Hut was awarded a $50,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express to fund renovations and expansions, and recognize its historic preservation. Preservation Durham has been working for years to get the Chicken Hut local landmark status, according to the group.
As a local landmark, the Chicken Hut will be officially documented for its significant history, architecture and cultural importance. Any property that is designated a landmark receives a 50% tax deferral on the building value or the building and the land value. The savings are intended to assist the owner in keeping the landmark property up to its highest standard of care, according to Karla Rosenberg with the city’s Planning and Development Department.
After casting the vote, the Durham City Council members stood up and applauded the owner, Trey Tapp, and supporters who filled the council chambers.
Mayor Leo Williams, a fellow restaurateur, recalled going to eat at the Chicken Hut as a college student at North Carolina Central University.
“I know when you put your heart, your love, your soul into it, you’re doing more than just serving food on a plate. You’re telling the community, ‘I love you,’” Williams said. “There’s nothing more personal than that.”
Tapp thanked the Durham City Council and Preservation Durham, saying he wished his parents, now deceased, were there to witness it happen.
“My parents worked so hard,” said Tapp during the meeting. “So much blood, sweat and tears. They had so much of a passion to give back… We love the City of Durham and now I’m just so happy that we’ll forever be a landmark.”
Kristen Johnson is a local government reporter covering Durham for The News & Observer. She previously covered Cary and western Wake County. Prior to coming home to the Triangle, she reported for The Fayetteville Observer and spent time covering politics and culture in Washington, D.C. She is an alumna of UNC at Charlotte and American University.
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — Karen Harris was born and raised in South Philadelphia. Following her career in the healthcare industry, she has focused her energy on developing the new ‘African American Market’ at FDR Park.
FDR Park is already well-known for being home to the Southeast Asian Market, among others. Now, on Saturdays, guests can find African American vendors just down the road in Picnic Areas 13 and 14.
The market first opened on June 14, 2025 and will pop up each Saturday through mid-to-late October. They then plan to return in June of 2026.
A food bank in Prince George’s County, Maryland, is working to expand its reach as the group is seeing hundreds show up at its food distribution events.
The StoreHouse holds a food distribution event in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
(Courtesy The StoreHouse)
Courtesy The StoreHouse
Volunteers carry food for distribution at an event held by The StoreHouse in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
(Courtesy The StoreHouse)
Courtesy The StoreHouse
Volunteers hand out backpacks at a Back2School event by The StoreHouse on Saturday.
(Courtesy The StoreHouse)
Courtesy The StoreHouse
The StoreHouse holds a food distribution event in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
(Courtesy The StoreHouse)
Courtesy The StoreHouse
Food is seen for The StoreHouse food distribution event in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
(Courtesy The StoreHouse)
Courtesy The StoreHouse
A food bank in Prince George’s County, Maryland, is working to expand its reach as the group is seeing hundreds show up at its food distribution events.
“We’re a community, and we show up for our families,” said Mel Johnson, executive director of The StoreHouse.
Johnson founded the food bank about three years ago because she saw a need in the community. It’s the first Black-run food bank in the United States, and it serves the D.C. region.
This past weekend, the group held a “Back2School Bash” at G. James Gholson Middle School in Landover. The organization had 40 volunteers help give away 500 backpacks filled with school supplies. They also did a “makeover” of two classrooms for teachers at the school.
Right now, they’re focusing on the county’s eighth district with a new food drive.
“There’s a lot of chronic illness, and families just really needing some support in that area,” Johnson said. “People are hungry, people need support, and we’re showing up for them in that way.”
They have partnered with Prince George’s County Council Chair Edward Burroughs and Victory Church International for a biweekly food distribution in District 8 at Thurgood Marshall Middle School in Camp Springs. It started on July 12 and will run for a year.
Johnson said she was shocked by the turnout.
“The lines have been wrapped. Families are coming at 6 a.m. already, even though our giveaway doesn’t start till 11 a.m., and that really shows you the need, and the importance of the work that we do,” Johnson said.
More food giveaways are scheduled
Johnson said because of how many people showed up, her group is starting a similar event in District 7 next month.
So far, they’ve served almost 2,800 families at the biweekly event and distributed 62,000 pounds of food.
The StoreHouse also runs a food bank on its own on the third Saturday of each month in Lanham.
The organization doesn’t only help with food, they also provide gently used clothing, baby items and mental health resources.
“Everyone needs more help now,” Johnson said. “I’m thankful and grateful that they do show up to receive support. But it also talks about how we’re able to serve them. People feel loved.”
Since it was founded, the StoreHouse has distributed 2.1 million pounds of free, healthy food to more than 3,000 families each month. They have served more than 52,000 families in the D.C. region.
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DENVER — Excessive trash and open drug and alcohol use are just a few of the problems that have become part of daily life on the sidewalks outside East Colfax businesses.
Cuttin’-up Beauty Academy is located at the intersection of East Colfax and Ulster Street in Denver. Karen Hall started the beauty academy in 1996. Cuttin’-up offers cosmetology, barbering and esthrrtician courses for students preparing to get their license. Today, Cuttin’-up is a family business, Hall’s daughter, Chanele Simmons, serves as the Director.
Simmons told Denver7 that issues with the unhoused, drug use and trash collecting on the streets are progressively getting worse.
She said she usually starts her day by picking up trash from around her building, and asking anyone sleeping outside of the building to leave. She reports whats happening on East Colfax to Denver police, but is growing exhausted with the lack of change.
“I always fear for their safety, especially with a lot of us being women, a lot of the customers being seniors or even children. If they’re looking at the environment around another school, and then they’re looking at the environment around ours, I feel like it puts us in the back seat, said Simmons.”
Denver7
Businesses we spoke with agreed that the 2020 relocation of a covered RTD bus stop is exacerbating the issue.
The bus stop is located in front of Sarahi’s Kitchen, a new restaurant on East Colfax serving authentic Mexican food. Customers sitting next to the window have a full view of the bus stop.
“I’ve complained. I filed several complaints to both the RTD and the police department. They haven’t done much. They do come and do some patrolling, but at this point they need to take another action, said owner Jesus Pasion.
Denver7
Christian Zamora is the manager at El Chalate, which has been on East Colfax for 15 years. Over the years, they changed the hours they operate to close the restaurant earlier. They also installed a gate for more separation for the sidewalk.
“They would harass my customers to the point where my customers did not even want to come in. They didn’t want to even come eat our food here, just because they were scared of the things that could happen to them just walking from their car to our doors,” said Zamora.
Denver7
DPD told Denver7 that they are working to address the ongoing issues along East Colfax. They found that patrolling and arresting people does not stop them from coming back and committing the same crime. According to police, they use Place Network Investigators, or PSI, which focus on the larger area to find the network where these crimes are built and dismantling it.
In the meantime, businesses along East Colfax are eager to have the streets cleaned up.
Coloradans making a difference | Denver7 featured videos
At Denver7, we’re committed to making a difference in our community. We’re standing up for what’s right by listening, lending a helping hand and following through on promises. See that work in action, in the featured videos in the playlist above.
Phoenix will host its fourth Black Restaurant Week starting Friday. The aim is to raise awareness and build support for Black-owned culinary businesses around the Valley…
Eden of Plaza located at 1212 Pecan Ave. in Plaza Midwood.
Jacob Roberts
Courtesy of Eden of Plaza
Charlotte is home to several booming Black-owned businesses, including bars, clubs and other nightlife spots.
A history of good nightlife: The city’s first Black nightclub, Excelsior, opened 80 years ago. The club, which closed in 2016, was a beloved staple in the community for decades as a space for social events, political meetings and celebrations.
This story was originally published February 23, 2024, 6:00 AM.
Related stories from Charlotte Observer
Chyna Blackmon is a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription
WABC-TV, the #1 Station in New York and the Most Watched Local Station in the Country, Is a Proud Media Partner of the Juneteenth NY Celebration. New York City’s Premier Three-Day Annual Celebration Showcasing the Abundant History and Impact of African-Americans Returns to the Epicenter of Black Culture and Community with Exciting New Events For 2023
Press Release –
Feb 23, 2023 08:00 EST
NEW YORK, February 23, 2023 (Newswire.com)
– The 14th Annual Juneteenth NY Celebration – one of New York City’s premier and largest annual events commemorating a now federally-recognized holiday – returns for an exciting three-day celebration, kicking off virtual and in-person on Friday, June 16, through June 18 from the epicenter of Black culture and community in Brooklyn, NY.
The Juneteenth NY Celebration was created to empower the Black community as well as advance the economic and cultural arts in underserved areas to champion small, Black-owned businesses. By showcasing Black creativity, ingenuity, and innovations, the Juneteenth NY Celebration’s array of events push forward a positive and present-day Black history narrative. With this year’s theme “Kaleidoscope of Black Culture”, the weekend will feature the best in Black culture and community with live performances, exhibitions, authentic local cuisine, wellness and other family fun activities, including The Celebration of Black Kings Awards Dinner and Reception and the highly anticipated Juneteenth NYC Parade. Over the past 14 years, Juneteenth NY has grown and expanded exponentially from a local gathering to a nationally recognized event with this year’s attendees expected to reach over 37,000+.
In honor of Black History Month and celebrating freedoms for all worldwide, the Juneteenth holiday promotes unity and builds self-esteem through reflection, education, and acknowledgment of African-American achievements. In 2021, historic and bipartisan legislation passed establishing Juneteenth as the newest Federal holiday, showcasing the power and progress of the work that continues to move African American history forward. Juneteenth NY Celebration encourages people of all races, nationalities, and ethnicities to join together to support and participate in Juneteenth celebrations locally and across the country – a true testament of resilience and humanity.
“We are beyond excited to bring the Juneteenth NY Celebration back bigger and better than ever in its 14th year as New York’s premier event for the city to come together and celebrate our rich Black history that is embedded in the very fabric of this country. We are proud to continue the Juneteenth NY tradition and celebration as the largest gathering of Black people dedicated to elevating one another, providing a space for creativity, culture, and Black excellence,” said Juneteenth NY’s pioneer and visionary CEO/Founder, Athenia Rodney. “Recently we have witnessed an attack on Black history and African-American studies, but with events like Juneteenth NY Celebration, we can educate, uplift, and enlighten people everywhere and truly champion change by bringing Black history past, present and future to the forefront. Juneteenth NY is a safe space for our community, shifting the narrative and creating change that will have a lasting generational impact nationally and globally.”
“WABC is a proud media sponsor of the Juneteenth NY Celebration, which recognizes the contributions of African-Americans and the power and strength of the human spirit,” said Marilu Galvez, President and GM of WABC-TV. The WABC station-wide media partnership includes Juneteenth NY coverage on linear, digital, and social platforms.
The 14th Annual Juneteenth NY Celebration will be held (rain or shine). All events with the exception of The Celebration of Black Kings Awards Dinner and Reception are free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged. To learn more, please visit https://www.juneteenthny.com/.
About Juneteenth Juneteenth – also known as “Juneteenth Independence Day” or “Freedom Day” – is a holiday that commemorates the June 19, 1865 announcement of the abolition of slavery in Galveston, Texas, and, more generally, the emancipation of African-American slaves throughout the Confederate South. The state official celebration is generally celebrated on June 19th and is now recognized as a national holiday. Juneteenth symbolically serves as a reference point from which to measure and appreciate the progress and contributions made by African-Americans to society.
About Juneteenth NY Celebration Now in its 14th year, the Juneteenth NY Celebration is one of the longest-running events commemorating Juneteenth and the preeminent celebration of the holiday in the Tri-State area. Located in Brooklyn, the first Juneteenth NY Celebration was held in East New York and hosted by George Walker Jr. in 2009 with Umoja Events entrusted to carry on the Celebration in 2011. The Celebration was designed to celebrate and empower the Black community. Each year features a theme that seeks to educate the Black community on its history while also changing the narrative of the devastating impact of slavery.
About WABC-TV New York WABC-TV has been the leader in local news and entertainment programming in the New York City area for more than 61 years. Producing more than 45 hours of live, local news and weather each week, Channel 7 “Eyewitness News” is the most-watched local news in New York and the United States. WABC-TV also produces “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” weekdays at 9:00 a.m., which is seen in more than 200 markets across the U.S. Quality news and programming, cutting-edge technology and ongoing community outreach are the hallmarks of excellence that have consistently kept WABC-TV New York’s No. 1 station and the most-watched television station in the nation. Twitter: https://twitter.com/abc7ny; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abc7ny/; Facebook: ABC7NYhttps://www.facebook.com/ABC7NY/
ATLANTA, November 9, 2022 (Newswire.com)
– On Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, Sea Salt Seafood Lounge hosted their grand opening for its second location located on Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, GA. The vibrant black-owned seafood destination featured their famous mouth-watering seafood favorites such as; fried lobster tails, crab balls, catfish & grits, jerk pasta, lobster mac & cheese, and Patrón Tequila cocktails, and music by DJ Mix Master David.
The star-studded event, hosted by Sea Salt’s founder, Juan Farmer, had a great turn-out with over 150 guests. Notable attendees include:
Jermaine Dupri, Music Mogul & Record Producer
Dallas Austin, Grammy Award-Winning Music Producer
Tricky Stewart, Grammy Award-Winning Music Producer
Bryan-Michael Cox, Grammy Award-Winning Music Producer
Marlo Hampton, Television Personality
Tutan Reyes, Former NFL Guard
Takeo Spikes, Former NFL Linebacker
DJ Ruckus, Celebrity Entertainer
Catherine Brewton, VP of Creative for BMI
DL Warfield, Visual Artist
Kawan “KP” Prather, Music Executive
Sea Salt Seafood Lounge invited Social Media Bloggers/Vloggers who sampled the menu and experienced the ambiance at the venue as well as a red carpet entrance for guests to take photographs upon arrival. The night ended with a toast from the owners of the restaurant. “We are truly grateful for the outpouring of support from the community, and we will continue to create memorable dining experiences for our guests,” said Juan Farmer.
The restaurant is now open to the general public, and the menu boasts the same flavorful menu as its original location in the Virginia Highlands, which was founded in 2021.
Celebrate Me Registry Launches, Encourages Women to ‘Claim All of Their Cake Days.’
Press Release –
Aug 18, 2022
CHICAGO, August 18, 2022 (Newswire.com)
– Celebrate Me Registry launches the first totally customizable gift registry service; a site designed for women who want to celebrate the milestone moments in life that don’t fit into a traditional “box.” Celebrate Me Registry’s mission is to help all women feel valued, lauded, and special – while taking the guesswork out of gifting.
Now, users may create a completely free registry for any occasion they desire, no white dress or baby bump required. The Celebrate Me Registry platform was designed to share the excitement around landing that new promotion, getting a master’s degree, finishing chemo, or “just because.”
The concept came to Celebrate Me Registry founder Chrisondra Boyd while attempting to create a registry for her 40th birthday, which was canceled due to Covid. “I wanted to give my friends and family a way to celebrate this moment with me, but found it frustrating that there wasn’t an elegant or enticing platform available for more non-traditional occasions.”
Celebrants can take advantage of the easy-to-use site to compile the registry of their dreams. In addition to the website, a mobile app and Chrome extension are available to make adding gifts a breeze, from anywhere on the internet. And for those who are usually stumped when asked what they’d like to receive, the site features shoppable gift guides to remove the workload of choosing items.
“It’s time to rethink the registry and what we deem worthy of celebration,” said Chrisondra. “At Celebrate Me Registry, we believe it’s time to empower all women to ask for exactly what they want.”
About Celebrate Me Registry
Celebrate Me Registry is the first totally customizable registry service that lets you add gifts from across the internet for any occasion. Created by a woman, for women who deserve to be celebrated (which is, like, all of us).
