Championing Champions

Black-owned businesses have been hit hard since March 2020,
representing nearly half of all pandemic-induced business closures.

ESPN, together with Andscape, the NBA and ABC, use the NBA Finals' stage to spotlight Black-owned businesses and foster sustainable community impact. We champion Black businesses for a 5th year, because your win is our win.

Los Angeles

Urban Dessert Lab - Courtney Blagrove & Zan B.R, Owners

Urban Dessert Lab revolutionizes plant-based, allergen-friendly ice cream and treats

Founded by sisters Courtney Blagrove and Zan B.R., L.A.'s Urban Dessert Lab revolutionizes plant-based desserts with super-premium ice cream and treats made from quality, allergen-friendly ingredients. Billed as the world's first to solely feature oat milk-based soft serve, this innovative shop was created to offer a better experience for those living with lactose intolerance, dairy or nut allergies.

New York

The Edge Harlem - Juliet & Justine Masters, Owners

The Edge Harlem provides a nostalgic journey through Harlem's diverse culinary landscape

Located in vibrant Harlem, New York, The Edge Harlem is a culinary destination paying homage to the Harlem Renaissance while offering a contemporary dining experience. Inspired by their upbringing and familial recipes, sisters Juliet and Justine Masters blend the culinary traditions of Jamaica and Britain, to provide a nostalgic journey through Harlem's diverse culinary landscape.

Minneapolis

Kobi Co. - Kobi Gregory & Tasha Harris, Owners

Kobi Co.'s handcrafted soy candles helps set your vibe and create a calming atmosphere

Founded in 2020 by then 17-year-old Kobi Gregory and her mother, Tasha Harris, Kobi Co. is a candle company that sits at the intersection of scent, sound and self-care. They provide handcrafted soy candles and scented self-care products such as sprays, bath bombs, bath salts and sugar scrubs to help set your vibe and create a calming atmosphere.

Milwaukee

Greenwood Park Gallery & Framing - Fred D. Robinson Jr., Owner

Greenwood Park Gallery & Framing serves as a vital community hub for artistic development

Established over 20 years ago by Fred Robinson Sr. and his son Fred D. Robinson Jr., Greenwood Park Gallery & Framing serves as a vital hub for community engagement and artistic development. Beyond framing and exhibitions, the gallery offers rentable art studios, a photography studio, and gallery space showcasing contemporary Black artwork at no charge to artists.

Hype Up

Use #ChampionBlackBusinesses to shout out your favorite local Black-owned business

Advice from the Shark Tank

In partnership with ABC's Shark Tank, this year's selected Black-owned businesses sat down one-on-one with Emma Grede and Robert Herjavec to seek advice and mentorship on the business challenges they face every day.

Emma Grede

Urban Dessert Lab - Courtney Blagrove & Zan B.R, Owners

Emma helps LA's Urban Dessert Lab strategize marketing

Emma Grede sits down with Courtney Blagrove & Zan B.R, co-owners of Los Angeles' Urban Dessert Lab, to discuss ways to market their partnership by engaging with their customers.

Robert Herjavec

The Edge Harlem - Juliet & Justine Masters, Owners

Robert discusses how The Edge Harlem can bring people together

Based in New York, The Edge Harlem combines the culinary traditions of Jamaica and Britain. Robert Herjavec meets with owners Juliet & Justine Masters to talk about leveraging the community to scale their business.

Robert Herjavec

Kobi Co. - Kobi Gregory & Tasha Harris, Owners

Robert helps Minneapolis' Kobi Co. build on their success

Kobi Gregory & Tasha Harris, co-owners of Minneapolis' Kobi Co., create handcrafted soy candles and self-care products. Shark Robert Herjavec offers guidance on leaning into social media to grab the opportunity in front of them.

Emma Grede

Greenwood Park Gallery & Framing - Fred D. Robinson Jr., Owner

Emma talks about growth opportunities for Milwaukee's Greenwood Park Gallery & Framing

Milwaukee's Greenwood Park Gallery & Framing owner Fred D. Robinson Jr. sits down with Shark Emma Grede for advice on using word-of-mouth to educate his customer base and grow his business.

Latest Stories

The latest from Andscape about the NBA and their commitment to supporting Black-owned businesses.

Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks assistant coach God Shammgod brings his legend to the NBA Finals

Mavs head of player culture talks about his dribbling skills, the respect he gets, mentoring hoopers and more

READ MORE
Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Keyontae Johnson promotes CPR, AED education for high schoolers

Participants at NBPA Top 100 camp received hands-only training in CPR and use of automated external defibrillators

READ MORE
Boston Celtics

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown has proud former coaches: Cuonzo Martin, Doug Lipscomb

Brown's high school and college coaches are excited by the growth, maturity he's shown as an NBA pro

READ MORE

Previously Featured Businesses

Since 2020, ESPN has used the NBA Finals' stage to spotlight a wide variety of Black-owned businesses.

2023 | Boston

Rock City Pizza

Rock City Pizza brings innovate slices to the Boston area

2023 | Los Angeles

Oldvine Florals

A love for flowers matched an entrepreneurial spirit to birth LA's Oldvine Florals

2023 | New York

NiLu

It's Harlem Baby! Gift shopping at NiLu means you're seen, understood, and elevated

2023 | Phoenix

Straw & Wool

Hat shop Straw & Wool looks to bring a sense of style and pride to Phoenix

2022 | Brooklyn

Dressed in Joy

Dressed in Joy, the Brooklyn athleisure brand making a statement

2022 | Chicago

Kido

Chicago kids boutique Kido focuses on representation and inclusivity

2022 | Dallas Area

Her Growing Hands

Her Growing Hands provide the ultimate healthy natural hair care expertise

2022 | San Francisco

Pietisserie

San Francisco's Pietisserie is taking a playful, modern, and elegant approach to pie

2021 | Dallas

The Cookie Society

Dallas' The Cookie Society is taking the cookie business by storm, locally and nationally.

2021 | Los Angeles

Ride On! Bike Shop

L.A.'s Ride On! Bike Shop is determined to improve its community's health and environment.

2021 | New York

Lomar Farms

NY's Lomar Farms is using their beekeeping skills to improve environmental injustice.

2021 | Philadelphia

Hakim's Bookstore

Philly's Hakim's Bookstore is helping to continue the history and stories of the Black community.

2020 | Los Angeles

Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen

Los Angeles' Hilltop is a place for creators of all walks.

2020 | Miami

Lil Greenhouse Grill

Miami's Lil Greenhouse Grill is a healthier alternative for soul food.