Get to Know These 27 Bay Area Black-Owned Businesses at Juneteenth on the Waterfront
June 5, 2026
This Sunday, June 7, kick off a month of celebrations in San Francisco with 27 local Black entrepreneurs at our sixth annual Juneteenth on the Waterfront in the Ferry Building front plaza. It’ll be our biggest one yet!
Juneteenth commemorates the anniversary of Black emancipation in the United States, which took place when enslaved people in Texas were first made aware of their liberation in 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Foodwise and partners hosted the first Juneteenth on the Waterfront in 2021, when Juneteenth was recognized as national holiday. Supported by the Port of San Francisco and the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, the event has grown and become an annual tradition. It also inspired our Pop-Ups on the Plaza series highlighting BIPOC businesses from across the Bay Area as part of our Building Equity program.
Celebrate talented Black food makers and crafters who offer unique and delicious dishes, beverages, desserts, and more. Read on to meet 9 Black entrepreneurs who are new to participating in Juneteenth on the Waterfront, and get reacquainted with 18 returning vendors that you already know and love.
Chef and founder Alfreda Scott learned to cook from her mother, Louise. As a professional chef, Alfreda has learned from a variety of global culinary traditions to create a culturally inspired menu of sandwiches and desserts. Don’t miss: Sandwiches and desserts
Biambu “Bee:” Garrett started as a home cook looking for the perfect hot sauce for his recipes. He grew fresh herbs and peppers in his home garden, which he combined with vinegar, onion, garlic, and his own blend of spices to create Black Bee Hot Sauce, a unique line of hot sauces. Don’t miss: Garden herb-infused hot sauces
Bri’Yana Butler and her family created BL Estate to honor their late mother, Michelle. Their grapes are grown in Napa, and at their vineyard in Clarksburg. They make wines, including their Signature Rosé, using traditional French winemaking techniques. Don’t miss: Rosé wine spritz
Jamale Carlyle’s grilled chicken wings have been a favorite in his family for over 10 years. In 2025, he decided to establish Carlyle’s Chicken Wings to bring his family recipe to his community through local farmers markets and food halls. Don’t miss: Grilled chicken wings (Dry Rub Cajun, BBQ Sweet, Louisiana Hot Honey, and Carlyle’s Mix)
When creating the menu for Chi Chi’s Kiosko, Ansarys Andino was inspired by both the breakfasts and lunches of Puerto Rico and the bodega culture of New York City. Her traditional island comfort food is served on house-made Puerto Rican breads. As a participant in La Cocina’s Food Business Incubator Program, Ansarys will be popping up for the month of June on Saturdays at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Don’t miss: Puerto Rican breakfast and lunch dishes
Queso Kings Gourmet Grilled Cheese
After graduating from Scottsdale Culinary Institute, founder Bobby Spade created Queso Kings. Their gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soups are made with carefully selected ingredients, including their own unique selection of cheeses. Don’t miss: Gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup
Olton Rensch noticed that there were high-end specialty coffee shops in every San Francisco neighborhood except the Bayview. His business focuses on offering coffee, ginger beverages, tea, and brewing training to ethnically diverse and underserved communities. Don’t miss: espresso drinks, cold brew, specialty drinks (Ginger Brew, Paramaribo Spice Latte, Suriname Sunrise), pastries, and grab-and-go items
Tee N Dee’s Homemade Ice Cream
Demetri Williams bought himself an ice cream machine for his birthday, and after some trial and error, he and his wife, Tara, started throwing ice cream parties. Rave reviews from friends and family encouraged them to start their mobile ice cream business, which offers unique homemade flavors with carefully curated ingredients. Don’t miss: Banana Pudd’n, Caramel Apple, Pineapple Upside Down, Butter Pecan, Kookies n Kareem, Vanilla, Chocolate, Sorbet
There will also be Black-owned craft businesses on Juneteenth on the Waterfront. Be sure to check out Hella Handcarved, a block-printing pop-ups where guests can make their own custom tote bags, shirts, journals, and art prints using hand-carved stamps.
Returning Black-Owned Businesses That You Know and Love
Along with 9 new vendors at this year’s Juneteenth on the Waterfront, we’re excited to welcome back 18 returning and Pop-Ups on the Plaza favorites:
Food Businesses
A Girl Named Pinky: Stop by Tina Stevens’ all-pink booth for cake pops, cookies, brownies, and other treats.
Brutha’s Honey: Beekeeper Marcus Simpkins offers honey, honeycomb, beeswax candles, and lip balm from local hives in Vallejo.
Cali Sweet Cakes: With help from La Cocina, founder Ricquel Thomas has recreated the Southern-style mini bundt cakes and desserts from her childhood.
Chef Sarah Germany: At the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Saturdays, Chef Sarah Germany offers hot sauce and pickles made from excess produce.
The Final Sauce: Sisters Princess and Brownie Sims recreated a beloved family recipe and remixed it into mouthwatering barbecue sauces, spice rubs, and marinades. Watch their recent Juneteenth on the Waterfront preview on KTVU!
Gumbo Social: Chef Dontaye Ball offers award-winning gumbo, po’ boys, red beans and rice with duck, and frozen to-go gumbo from his restaurant in the Bayview. Be sure to also check out Dontaye’s cooking demo at 12:00 pm.
Keep It Simple Juice: At the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market on Saturdays, Danielle Clark brings fresh juices and ginger shots as an easy and delicious way to enjoy essential nutrients.
Lil’Alijo Catering & Events: San Francisco native Alisha Wilson was raised with both Creole and Caribbean culinary traditions, which influence each dish on her menu.
MalDoni’s: With support from Mandela Partners, Berkeley native Alicia Waters expanded her food distribution initiative to her larger community, offering classics like stuffed potatoes, watermelon drinks, and peach cobbler cheesecakes.
Remy Creations: With support from En2Action, Raychelle Howard built a business that offers a variety of delicious soul food and barbecue at local pop-ups and events.
Craft Businesses (in partnership with In The Black)
Avocurl: Frustrated with dry and damaged hair, Jasmine Curtis created a line of natural haircare products with edible ingredients.
Belle Noire: Nicole Williams connects Bay Area locals with handmade accessories crafted by artists from Africa and the African Diaspora.
Bismillah Boutique: Antioch native Nicole Thrower started making handmade skincare and crystal-embellished candles in 2010, and has since become a staple at Pop-Ups on the Plaza events.
CIK Apparel: Cianni Jackson started her line of empowering graphic apparel and accessories in 2020, and named it “CIK,” using the first initials of each of her children’s names.
Cocoacentric: After working at large fashion conglomerates, Latoya McInnis decided to start her own brand of sustainably made jewelry and accessories.
En Vie Naturals: At the Mission Community Market on Thursdays, Kim Leonard offers homemade aromatherapy sprays, body butter lotions, joint pain relief sprays and creams, and vegan body washes.
Hey Carter!: Founded by Dr. Thomishia Booker, Hey Carter! is a children’s brand that centers on creating important representation for Black children through children’s books, apparel, and accessories.
Ice Body Skincare: Vickie Brown and her daughter, Deja, created Ice Body Skincare in 2015. Stop by her booth for body mousse, body oils, body scrubs, soaps, intention candles, room sprays, and bath salts.
Support these makers at Pop-Ups on the Plaza: Juneteenth on the Waterfront on Sunday, June 7, at the Ferry Plaza in front of the Ferry Building.
