KANSAS CITY, MO — As the winter holidays slip away, Black-owned bakeries across the country are prepping for Black History Month.
By honoring the meaning behind the month by supporting their community, connecting with younger generations and sharing pieces of their heritage in their own ways, bakeries are able to foster relationships and celebrate with their customers.
At K&J’s Elegant Pastries in Birmingham, AL, owned and operated by designer chef Kristal Bryant, the month of February is filled with themed treats and devoted partnerships with local Black-owned businesses and organizations.
“Our city is rich in Black history,” Kristal said. “We’re right next to so many historical landmarks and organizations, like the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. They do free days to celebrate civil rights events, and this year, they’ve reached out to have our food truck out for a day.”
One of the ways K&J’s celebrates Black History Month is by creating baked goods depicting prominent historical leaders and figures, such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, as well as pop culture icons such as gymnast Simone Biles.
“We feature different people in Black history with edible images and maybe a little saying or something that they’re known for,” Kristal said. “We’ve also created cupcakes with African-inspired colors. Every year, we try to do something a little bit different, but the ones with the important figures are the ones that hit off the most.”
Kristal adopted the idea from a custom order she received three years ago, turning it into an annual way of commemorating the month and sharing delectable — and educational — treats with customers.
“I hadn’t even thought of doing that until the order was placed,” Kristal said. “But, when we did them, I thought they were really cool, so we ran them for the rest of the month; they were a huge hit.”
The inception of these products led to a general increase in sales during February, particularly from corporate partners and local community support.
“We do see an uptick in sales, most likely because we’re surrounded by corporations that we partner with, and they typically support us during Black History Month,” Kristal said. “They’ll do luncheons where they order our cupcakes, cinnamon rolls or our inspired products for the month.”
The bakery also makes it a point to partner with local Black-owned businesses to encourage mutual growth. By supporting one another, businesses can ensure that everyone thrives for years to come.
“Our community is very tight knit,” Kristal said. “Some of the businesses sell each other’s products in their stores to help boost sales and support each other during lows. All of us here, especially the restauranteurs, can rely on each other for advice and to keep each other going strong.”
In a historically prominent city such as Birmingham, one can expect a fair share of visitors looking to learn about and explore the area. But tourism isn’t limited to museums and monuments; tourists have to eat, too.
“So many people come here to visit, and they don’t know about the city or what it has to offer,” Kristal said. “If somebody comes in here and they’re looking for somewhere to eat, I’m going to send them to a friend or neighboring business. Not just because we’re friends, but because their food is good.”
Across the country in San Diego, CA, Maya’s Cookies crafts a specialty menu every year to celebrate Black History Month.
“Every year, our Black History Month Collection is my favorite way to honor the incredible contributions of the Black community to arts, culture and entrepreneurship,” said Maya Madsen, founder and CEO of Maya’s Cookies. “It’s also a way to share my love for Black stories and flavors with our fans.”
For its fifth annual collection, the vegan cookie company is highlighting the Golden Age of Black television, honoring transformative shows such as Good Times, A Different World and Scandal that have inspired generations with groundbreaking narratives and cultural impact. The three cookies pay homage to popular shows and their cultural significance.
“The Golden Age of Black Television Collection represents not only the legacy of these iconic shows, but the continued power of Black creativity, community and collaboration,” Maya added.
From sharing the stories and words of influential Black figures front and center on delicious baked goods, to partnering with local businesses and organizations to cross-promote, Black-owned bakeries are finding meaningful ways to celebrate and uplift their communities.
