New Yorkers and those who will be visiting the city next week will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in some amazing African American, African, and Caribbean food. From June 17 to July 3, New York City joins the nationwide Black Restaurant Week, a promotional event that celebrates the flavors of the African diaspora with a series of regional cultural activities.

The organization also is also on a mission to show influences in the culinary industry, educate consumers on the abundance of cultural cuisines, and support Black restauranteurs, bartenders, chefs, caterers, and food trucks.

“This year, we are passionate more than ever to serve the culinary industry. We’ve expanded our participation from restaurants to food trucks, sweets, and more. This year we are adding some fun activities along, to learn ways to win gift cards, cash prizes, and more,” Black Restaurant Week stated in a press release.

Founded by Warren Luckett, Falayn Ferrell, and Derek Robinson, Black Restaurant Week is an organization that has supported more than 2,000 restaurants since 2016. This year, the organizers are showcasing over 100 Black-owned restaurants. Black Restaurant Week is free for entry-level business registration and the participants are included on the national culinary directory organization’s website. 

Photo courtesy of Black Restaurant Week

Last year, the organization supported 1,200 Black-owned culinary businesses across the United States, Toronto, and Vancouver, and generated an average of 15% sales increase.

According to the organizers, Black Restaurant Week is important to promoting Black-owned restaurants across the country. “The survival of Black-owned culinary businesses is in jeopardy. Less than 20% of U.S. employer businesses are minority-owned, according to the U.S. Census Bureau,” the organization said.

They also mention a study carried out by the Independent Restaurant Coalition, which reveals that 500,000 restaurants and bars are faced with an uncertain future due to lost revenue and increased debt over the past 22 months. 1.1 million minority-owned businesses often face heightened challenges and disparities when securing business funding. The shocking statistics helped lead to Black Restaurant Week’s More Than Just a Week campaign.

“More Than Just a Week speaks to our commitment to support the Black culinary community throughout the entire year,” Falayn Ferrell, Black Restaurant Week, LLC’s Operations Managing Partner, told Travel Noire. “More than 90,000 restaurants and bars closed nationwide since 2020. It is essential that we create a platform that drives awareness to Black-owned culinary businesses outside of our culinary tour.”

You can visit the organization’s official website for more information.

Related: Chicago Black Restaurant Week Aims To Empower Black Business Owners