The Daily speaks with five Black business owners to understand their stories and connections to the community
Black-owned businesses remain underrepresented in both the Ann Arbor and national markets. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 161,031 Black-owned businesses in the United States out of the 5.9 million total employer firms, though the number of Black-owned businesses has been increasing over the past few years. To celebrate Black History Month, The Michigan Daily’s Business beat sat down with five Black Ann Arbor business owners to hear about their stories and experiences.
Black Owned Business Spotlight: Travis Weaver — One DNA
Nestled within the walls of the historic Nickels Arcade sits One DNA. With a mission to provide gender-neutral and size-inclusive clothing, the shop’s sleek interior invites passersby to stop in and look around. Upon entering, customers are greeted by founder Travis Weaver and their 3-year-old Shiba Inu, Sydney.
In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Weaver said his dream to work in the fashion industry began while spending time at his aunt’s hair salon in Ypsilanti as a kid. On the weekends, he would sit and flip through fashion magazines with his mom while she got her hair done. Though his passion for fashion started young, Weaver said he only felt motivated to open a shop like One DNA in college after feeling unhappy with his shopping experiences in other stores.
“I decided to start One DNA because I wanted to create an inclusive shopping experience,” Weaver said. “The hole in the market for me was when I was in college, I’d go shopping … and then always would be directed to the men’s department. So (as) someone who is gender fluid, I wanted to shop the whole store because I find shopping more about finding the piece that you like and then finding the size versus feeling limited to a gender section. … We really wanted to create a unique experience that’s open to all genders.”
Read more from our interview with Travis Weaver
Black-Owned Businesses Spotlight: Robert Campbell — Jamaican Jerk Pit
Robert Campbell, the owner of Ann Arbor’s Jamaican Jerk Pit, will be celebrating a milestone this March as his restaurant turns 15 years old. With brightly colored walls covered in polaroids of customers and a continuous Calypso soundtrack playing in the background, the Jerk Pit offers an authentic Caribbean menu, including Campbell’s favorite dish: curry goat.
Campbell’s entrepreneurial journey traces back to his childhood in the parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica, where he developed a love for cooking. Campbell, the oldest of four children, said he grew up cooking for his family.
“I didn’t grow up as a privileged kid,” Campbell said. “Both of my parents were always working. Everything my family worked for was to ensure we ate — chicken, seafood and lots of breadfruit. Nothing extravagant … Growing up we couldn’t afford oxtail, but it’s been on the menu ever since I started the Jerk Pit.”
Read more from our interview with Robert Campbell
Black Owned Business Spotlight: Sheena McCullers — Della’s
Tucked between Sweetgreen and Pitaya on State Street sits Della’s, a beauty supply store with the goal of cultivating a safe and welcoming space for the Ann Arbor community, according to owner Sheena McCullers.
McCullers told The Michigan Daily that she moved to Ann Arbor from Brooklyn, N.Y. during the COVID-19 pandemic. Soon after arriving in Ann Arbor, McCullers said she struggled to find textured hair products, which motivated her to open Della’s and fill the product gap herself. According to McCullers, the store’s mission is to curate an exciting selection of beauty products for people with textured hair that they may not be able to find elsewhere.
“The closest store that sells these types of products is in Ypsilanti,” McCullers said. “I visited the store and didn’t find myself having the experience I wanted to have. I wanted to find a store that had a community vibe. I’ve lived in Atlanta, I’ve lived in Brooklyn, and stores like this are pretty common — spaces that are diverse and have a diverse product range.”
Read more from our interview with Sheena McCullers
Black Owned Business Spotlight: Amalz Lessanework and Habtewold Dadi — Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant
Decorated with vibrant paintings and frames, and a blue, red and gold-painted ceiling, Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant has offered an array of traditional Ethiopian fare to the Ann Arbor community since 1989.
The original Detroit location, which was founded by Seifu Lessanework in 1984, moved to Ferndale and remains open to this day. The original Ann Arbor Blue Nile opened in 1989, and its current location opened in 1995. It is now co-owned by Seifu’s sister, Amalz Lessanework, and her husband, Habtewold Dadi.
In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Dadi said the early stages of the business were difficult, as they needed to adapt to the cultural differences of doing business in America.
“Ethiopian culture is different from the West’s,” Dadi said. “We started the business from scratch. Eventually, we learned the Western or American style (of business). Now we serve Ann Arbor and the surrounding area. It was challenging, but then in practice (we were) successful.”
Read more from our interview with Amalz Lessanework and Habtewold Dadi
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