The Untold Stories Behind Black-Owned Businesses in the Midwest

Behind every storefront and business sign in the Midwest lies a powerful story of determination, vision, and resilience. While customers see thriving shops, restaurants, or service providers, what often goes unnoticed are the extraordinary journeys that brought those ventures to life—stories woven with sacrifice, hope, and a refusal to be defined by obstacles.

Legacies Born from Adversity

Midwest Black-owned businesses are a testament to what vision and grit can achieve, even in the face of discrimination and financial barriers. In Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, John’s Hardware & Bicycle Shop is more than a store—it’s a community anchor that’s weathered turbulent times. Owned by the Stallworth family for over five decades, the business has provided not only hardware and bikes, but also mentorship, holiday dinners, and school supply drives for local youth.

Similarly, in Detroit, Blue Nile Restaurant stands as one of the first Black-owned Ethiopian restaurants in the region. Despite early skepticism and limited access to startup capital, the founder’s commitment to cultural authenticity and culinary excellence turned Blue Nile into a beloved institution that introduced countless Midwesterners to Ethiopian cuisine.

Untold Trials and Creativity

The realities behind these ventures are often marked by challenges. Martin W. Redd started CMS Trophies & Plaques, Inc. in his Chicago basement, overcoming funding hurdles and a lack of mainstream partners. Through relentless hustle, his family business grew to supply awards for schools, teams, and leaders citywide.

In Minneapolis, a young Black tech entrepreneur, Jasmine Evans, responded to the digital divide by launching a coding bootcamp for students of color. Her organization, born out of frustration at limited tech opportunities, now partners with local companies to create a talent pipeline—producing dozens of graduates each year.

Honoring Midwest Business Legacies

These are just a few inspiring examples among thousands. By sharing these untold stories, Black Pages International preserves and amplifies histories too often overlooked. Each journey contributes to a mosaic of progress and pride, reinforcing that Black entrepreneurship is about more than business. It’s about building community, lifting others, fostering innovation, and passing on a legacy of courage and creativity.

At Black Pages International, we honor these stories—ensuring that Midwest Black-owned businesses remain central to the region’s story and its future.

We tell the stories. You build the legacy.