PepsiCo Foundation and NUL Unveil First Grantees of $10M Black Restaurant Accelerator Program

By National Urban League
Published11 PM EDT, Thu Apr 24, 2025
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The PepsiCo Foundation and the National Urban League announced the first grant recipients of their Black Restaurant Accelerator Program, a joint $10 million initiative that will provide 500 Black restaurant owners in 12 cities over the next five years with capital, technical assistance, and mentorship services. As the United States begins to reopen, this program is providing critical support to Black restaurateurs who were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.

Today's announcement recognizes the vital contributions of Black-owned restaurants to the fabric of American culture, as well as the need to preserve these institutions. The program provides a tangible pathway towards substantive pandemic recovery and lasting economic equity. The first grantees include:

  • Victoria's Kitchen & Catering Soul Food Restaurant in Philadelphia, PA

  • Takoma Station Tavern and Wingery in Washington, D.C.,

  • Beaucoup Eats, Taste & See and Addis NOLA in New Orleans, LA,

  • Odom's Kitchen Catering in Baton Rouge, LA,

  • Local Green Atlanta and Slutty Vegan in Atlanta, GA,

  • Taste-T-Love Baby Food, Rich Taste Catering Service and De'Lish LLC in Dayton, OH,

  • Southern Grace Cincy Catering LLC in Cincinnati, OH, and

  • Chef's of the Streets in Laurel, MD.

Black business owners have been particularly vulnerable since the pandemic, as 41% of Black-owned businesses have shuttered since February 2020 compared to just 17% of white-owned businesses. Many Black-owned restaurants have had to adapt to meet the challenges brought by the pandemic – from trimming staff to creating an online presence with little to no guidance, navigating the intricacies of third-party delivery apps, allocating funds to set up outdoor dining services, and more. Through the grant funding from The PepsiCo Foundation and the National Urban League, as the country fully reopens, grantees of the Black Restaurant Accelerator will now have access to critical funding and tools these restaurateurs need to compete and thrive. These tools and mentorship services include back office and accounting systems support, inventory management, and marketing support to attract more patrons.

"Black businesses and consumers are among the key contributors to the economic strength of our nation, and they deserve equal recognition and support for the vital role they play in our communities," said Marc H. Morial, President & CEO of the National Urban League. "We are proud to partner with The PepsiCo Foundation on a matter of crucial importance that helps business owners and addresses one of the critical economic disparities impacting Black communities."

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