The Faces Behind Downtown OKC’s Black Owned Businesses
Behind every small business is a story worth telling. This blog highlights the people behind Black-owned businesses across Downtown Oklahoma City; offering a closer look at their journeys, perspectives, and contributions to the community. The businesses featured here represent a growing collection and will be updated over time.
Explore the full directory of Black owned businesses at https://downtownokc.com/black-owned-businesses/
LaToya Mason
LaToya Mason
NExus Creative and LMason Events
NExus Creative is an event and co-working space that serves as a hub for collaboration and community connection. LaToya Mason is also the founder of LMason Events, a full-service event planning company established in 2015, with more than a decade of experience creating intentional and impactful experiences. Her work focuses on building spaces that support entrepreneurs, creatives, and organizations. LaToya is a recipient of the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City Equal Opportunity Award and has been featured in The Journal Record for her Little Black Chapel micro wedding concept.
What inspired you to start your business, and what led you to choose downtown Oklahoma City as its home?
I started LMason Events in 2011, legally organized in 2015, because I saw a gap in Oklahoma City for event planning that truly understood how to create experiences that feel authentic and intentional, not cookie cutter. After more than a decade of producing everything from intimate ceremonies to galas for over 1,800 guests, I expanded into venue ownership because I wanted to control more of the experience.
NExus Creative is not just an event space. It is infrastructure for our community. Downtown OKC, specifically the northeast quadrant, is home. This is where I am building generational wealth and creating spaces where entrepreneurs, creatives, and organizations can thrive. I want my children to see what it looks like to invest where you live.
What’s something people might not know about your business or a moment you’re especially proud of?
People know LMason Events handles major productions and that NExus Creative is a go to place to host events, but they might not know that I also run a postcard company called Love You, Mean It, which creates bold, witty cards for women to hype each other up. That duality of large-scale institutional events and cheeky stationery is very me.
I am especially proud of The Little Black Chapel, a micro wedding experience we host three times a year. It has become an intimate and meaningful space where couples can have ceremonies that feel personal and authentic. Creating physical spaces where people can celebrate life’s biggest moments is legacy work.
How does your identity and lived experience shape the way you run your business or connect with your customers?
I have lived in this skin for 45 years and have experienced both immense joy and devastation simply by existing. I have also seen what is possible, a future where there is more joy than pain. That vision drives everything I do.
I recognize the struggle because I have lived it, and I have made it my life’s work to create spaces and lanes that make it easier for those coming up behind me. When organizations like Langston University, the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus, or Millwood Public Schools work with me, they know I am not just executing an event. I am protecting culture and honoring legacy. Our events matter, and we deserve spaces that reflect our excellence. That is why I built them.
Avery Stevenson
Avery Stevenson
The Cage OKC
The Cage OKC is a streetball organization founded in 2012 by Avery Stevenson, a former professional basketball player. The organization offers competitive men’s and women’s leagues, tournaments, and youth programming focused on skill development, culture, and community leadership. Built with a vision larger than basketball, The Cage OKC works to preserve streetball culture while creating access, opportunity, and visibility for athletes in Oklahoma City, with programming recognized on national and international levels.
What inspired you to start your business, and what led you to choose downtown Oklahoma City as its home?
As a former professional basketball player who toured the country playing streetball with the Harlem Superstars, I saw firsthand how powerful streetball culture is within communities. I wanted to bring that same energy, opportunity, and cultural significance to Oklahoma City.
Streetball is deeply connected to Black history and community spaces. It represents creativity, resilience, expression, and unity. When I discovered the Downtown Community Basketball Court, I saw an opportunity to build something meaningful. After presenting a proposal to Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership to launch a men’s basketball league, they believed in the vision and supported it from the start.
Downtown OKC represents growth, diversity, and shared community spaces, making it the right place to build something designed to last and impact future generations.
What’s something people might not know about your business or a moment you’re especially proud of?
One of my proudest accomplishments is sustaining The Cage OKC for 14 consecutive years. Longevity matters, especially when building something rooted in culture and community. During that time, we have maintained partnerships with global companies valued at over $22 billion and hosted Olympic USA FIBA qualifier for men’s and women’s 3×3 tournaments.
I am also extremely proud of the youth we have impacted through camps, clinics, and academies. Being able to pour knowledge, confidence, and opportunity into the next generation is one of the most meaningful parts of this journey. That consistency represents more than business success. It represents trust, credibility, and proof that community rooted organizations can grow to the global stage while still investing back into the community.
What’s your favorite part of owning and operating your business?
My favorite part is knowing that what we are building can inspire people who come from similar backgrounds and experiences that I overcame. Representation matters, and creating something that stands as proof of what is possible is something I take pride in. I also value the ability to create, lead, and build something that reflects my vision while serving the community at the same time.
Damesha Everett
Damesha Everett
Touch of Euphoria
Touch of Euphoria is a wellness studio owned by Damesha Everett that focuses on massage therapy and whole body care. Her work centers on helping clients relax, release stress, and take better care of their bodies in a calm and welcoming environment. With an emphasis on intentional care and well-being, Touch of Euphoria provides a space where clients can slow down, feel supported, and prioritize their physical and mental health.
What inspired you to start your business, and what led you to choose downtown Oklahoma City as its home?
I was inspired to start my business because I have always enjoyed helping people and supporting their wellbeing. Over time, massage therapy became a meaningful way for me to connect with others while doing work that makes a difference.
I chose Downtown Oklahoma City because the opportunity was available at the right time and allowed me to start and grow my business in a central, accessible location.
How does your identity and lived experience shape the way you run your business or connect with customers?
My background in the Army taught me the importance of wellness and how physically demanding work can be on the body. It also showed me how important it is to treat people with care and respect. That experience shapes how I run my business today by being intentional about how I care for clients, how I speak to them, and how I support their overall well-being.
What’s your favorite part of owning and operating your business?
My favorite part is the connection and seeing a real difference in people. It is rewarding to work with clients, see them feel better after a session, and then watch their progress over time when they return. Seeing clients improve in person makes the work feel meaningful.
Paige Mitchell
Paige Mitchell
Recess OKC
Recess OKC is a coworking space with on site childcare founded by Paige Mitchell. The space was created for parents who want to work while staying close to their children. With a mission rooted in community, balance, and quality care, Recess OKC supports working families by providing a nurturing environment where both parents and children can thrive together.
What inspired you to start your business, and what led you to choose downtown Oklahoma City as its home?
With more than 19 years of experience caring for children and supporting families, I spent years alongside parents in Downtown OKC as they balanced careers and raising their kids. I saw the pressure, the sacrifice, and the need for real support.
I built my business to show up for parents in a way that truly meets their everyday needs. Creating Recess OKC, in downtown, felt natural because it allowed me to serve families where I had already seen that need firsthand.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs looking to start or grow a business in OKC?
Start small and stay consistent. Do not wait for the perfect plan or timing. Build relationships first, lean into community support, and let your passion guide your growth.
Oklahoma City rewards grit, collaboration, and people who show up every day ready to learn and improve. You will not have everything figured out at the start, and that is okay. Get moving, adjust as you go, and celebrate every win along the way.
What’s your favorite part of owning and operating your business?
Serving the entire family is what matters most to me. Recess offers a place where children are nurtured, and parents feel supported together. That shared sense of community is everything
Christina Carter
Christina Carter
Plant People Shop
Plant People Shop is a plant focused retail space offering houseplants, cactus, succulents, planters, and plant care essentials. Owned by Christina Carter, the shop also invites customers to build terrariums, create cactus gardens, and repot plants at its potting station. Plant People Shop is designed to be a welcoming, hands-on space where plant lovers of all levels can relax, learn, and enjoy every stage of plant life.
What inspired you to start your business, and what led you to choose downtown Oklahoma City as its home?
Although my love for plants started at a young age, owning a plant shop was an idea I put on hold until later in life. At the beginning of Covid in the spring of 2020, I decided, why wait? An opportunity to open a plant shop and do what I love came at the perfect time, not just for me, but for many other plant lovers.
The shop became a therapeutic oasis for myself and others during that year. Choosing the Midtown District, so close to Downtown Oklahoma City, felt like the perfect place to start Plant People Shop because of the strong foot traffic and established small business community. I was excited to be part of it.
How does your identity and lived experience shape the way you run your business or connect with customers?
I am very proud to be a Black owned, women-owned business in Oklahoma City. I love treating customers the way I want to be treated when I visit a store. If I am being honest, that level of care is not always expected.
I run this shop with integrity and purpose, not to change the world, but to help people enjoy plants without stress. I want customers, both new and seasoned plant lovers, to feel encouraged through every stage of plant life and to leave feeling like they just visited a plant friend.
What’s your favorite part of owning and operating your business?
The only time owning a plant shop feels like work is when I have to focus on paying bills, invoices, and balancing the books. That is part of the responsibility. Everything else is enjoyable, from meeting new people and hosting events to celebrating special moments, getting my hands dirty making terrariums, and even watering plants on a slow day.
Tahnee Francis
Tahnee Francis
Naija Wife Kitchen
Naija Wife Kitchen is a restaurant owned and operated by Tahnee Francis, offering a fusion of Nigerian and American cuisine. Inspired by Tahnee’s lived experience marrying into Nigerian culture, the menu pairs authentic flavors with culinary innovation and is completely gluten-free. Tahnee has gained national recognition and was named a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation Best Chef Southwest 2025. Naija Wife Kitchen is rooted in cultural connection, education, and bold flavor.
What inspired you to start your business, and what led you to choose downtown Oklahoma City as its home?
As an Oklahoma native, I married into Nigerian culture years ago and noticed a growing interest in Nigerian food, but very little understanding of the cuisine. I began cooking to help explain the dishes and culture, and after selling out at countless pop-ups around Oklahoma City, the demand continued to grow.
Naija Wife Kitchen was born when I needed a commercial space, and my first brick-and-mortar opened in Downtown Oklahoma City in October 2021. Downtown was the first affordable opportunity and became the place where my business flourished. I later chose my current location inside the Robinson Renaissance Building because it is centrally located and draws guests from all over the state.
What’s something people might not know about your business or a moment you’re especially proud of?
I did not learn how to cook until I married my Nigerian husband at 30 years old. I cannot even cook American food, yet I am a James Beard Best Chef Southwest 2025 semifinalist for my Nigerian cuisine. That journey is something I am extremely proud of.
How does your identity and lived experience shape the way you run your business or connect with your customers?
I live in the best of both worlds. I am American-born and raised, married into Nigerian culture, and travel back and forth to Nigeria while owning a home there. That lived experience allows me to serve as a bridge between the two cultures.
I can explain ingredients, dishes, and cultural customs to my fellow Okies in a way that feels welcoming and approachable, without anyone feeling intimidated by a cuisine once not widely known in Oklahoma.
Dr. Tabatha Carr, ND
Dr. Tabatha Carr, ND
Good Girl Chocolate
Good Girl Chocolate is a clean chocolate brand founded by Dr. Tabatha Carr, ND, and crafted from scratch using a bean to bar process. Built after her personal health transformation, the brand delivers crave-worthy chocolate made with clean ingredients for an all pleasure, no guilt experience. Based in Downtown Oklahoma City, Good Girl Chocolate combines manufacturing, innovation, and storytelling to create chocolate that is both indulgent and intentional.
What inspired you to start your business, and what led you to choose downtown Oklahoma City as its home?
I started Good Girl Chocolate after overcoming major health challenges and transforming my relationship with food. Even after losing over 80 pounds, I refused to give up chocolate. When I could not find a chocolate made with clean ingredients that truly satisfied my cravings, I decided to create my own.
I built Good Girl Chocolate as a clean, crave-worthy chocolate made from scratch, bean to bar. I chose Downtown Oklahoma City because it offered the right environment to build both a manufacturing footprint and a visible brand. Downtown placed me close to the city’s growth, tourism, media, and events, while creating opportunities for partnerships, community involvement, and direct customer engagement. It was a strategic location that supported my mission, my story, and my long-term vision.
What’s something people might not know about your business or a moment you’re especially proud of?
Most people do not know that we have a real Willy Wonka-style chocolate factory in Downtown Oklahoma City. We start from scratch by roasting and grinding cocoa beans, allowing us to control every ingredient and flavor from the very beginning.
I am especially proud that we won the Whole Foods Market Pitch Competition for the Southwest region and received the BeyGOOD Foundation grant. We have also been included in the GRAMMYs gift bag three times, in 2019, 2023, and 2026, and launched on QVC as the first dairy-free chocolate to premiere live.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs looking to start or grow a business in OKC?
Build with purpose and do not quit. Be clear on what you are creating, who you are serving, and why it matters. Get plugged into the local ecosystem and show up consistently, because relationships matter. Oklahoma is a special state, and Oklahomans truly support Oklahomans. Stay persistent and keep your faith.
Brian and Stayce Momanyi
Brian and Stayce Momanyi
Plus254 – A Taste of Africa
Plus254 – A Taste of Africa is an Oklahoma City based African restaurant and food truck showcasing bold, authentic flavors inspired by East African cuisine. Founded by Brian and Stayce Momanyi, the concept celebrates culture, community, and elevated African dining. Rooted in tradition and storytelling, Plus254 creates welcoming experiences that introduce guests to African cuisine in a way that feels both approachable and refined.
What inspired you to start your business, and what led you to choose downtown Oklahoma City as its home?
Plus254 – A Taste of Africa was inspired by a desire to share the richness of African culture through food and storytelling. Growing up with bold, home-cooked flavors rooted in East African traditions, we saw an opportunity to introduce those authentic tastes to a wider audience in a way that felt approachable and elevated. Our goal was to create more than a restaurant by building a space where culture, community, and hospitality come together.
Downtown Oklahoma City felt like the natural home for Plus254. It is a vibrant, growing area that embraces diversity, creativity, and new culinary experiences. Being in the heart of the city allows us to proudly represent African cuisine, contribute to the evolving food scene, and connect with a community that values innovation and cultural expression.
What’s something people might not know about your business or a moment you’re especially proud of?
One thing people may not realize is that Plus254 was built with very limited resources but an unwavering commitment to excellence. Every menu item, event, and guest experience has been shaped by hands-on work, long hours, and a deep belief in honoring our culture through food.
A moment we are especially proud of is being named 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists. That recognition affirmed that African cuisine belongs in the national culinary conversation and represented visibility for African food, African-owned businesses, and the communities we serve.
What’s your favorite part of owning and operating your business?
Our favorite part is watching people experience African cuisine, sometimes for the very first time, and seeing curiosity turn into joy. Hearing guests say a dish reminds them of home or opens their eyes to a new culture makes the long hours worth it.
Krystal Yoseph
Krystal Yoseph
Konjo Concepts
Konjo Concepts is a public relations and concierge agency founded by Krystal Yoseph and focused on celebrating community-based and lifestyle-oriented partners in Oklahoma City and beyond. Rooted in storytelling, connection, and culture, the agency works closely with brands to amplify their vision and impact. Guided by the meaning of “konjo,” which translates to “beautiful,” the work centers on honoring people, places, and partnerships through thoughtful strategy and collaboration.
What inspired you to start your business, and what led you to choose downtown Oklahoma City as its home?
As I set out to start my business, Oklahoma City as a backdrop inspired not only the name Konjo, which means beautiful in my dad’s language of Amharic, but also the way I wanted my agency to exist within this community. We are driven, collaborative, and earnest, and that energy is deeply influenced by the city itself.
It was a deliberate choice to office in Downtown OKC. We wanted to be in the mix, host clients in a central location, walk to lunch, and be in community with the movement and momentum that downtown provides as a source of inspiration.
How does your identity and lived experience shape the way you run your business or connect with your customers?
As an Ethiopian American based and raised in Oklahoma City and shaped by years spent in our nation’s capital, my lived experience informs how we approach our work. At the core of Konjo is an ethos of perpetuating the beauty of something, someone, or a place.
We are hands-on because understanding comes from proximity. We support culture because we find beauty in celebrating others. As we have grown over the last eight years, that perspective allows us to adapt, connect, and continue building meaningful pathways across this expansive city.
What’s your favorite part of owning and operating your business?
It is an honor to grow this business as a trusted partner to small businesses and brands in our community. Through their trust, we are able to expand and evolve our expertise while serving others.
One of my proudest moments is speaking fluently about our clients, their vision, and their impact, whether we are pitching, inviting, or strategizing. Being an extension of their work and contribution to the city is my jam.
Aaron Smith
Aaron Smith
Jack’s Bakehouse
Jack’s Bakehouse is a high-quality bakery owned by Aaron Smith and his wife, Rhonda Smith. The bakery began as a small operation out of their Midtown apartment before growing through farmers’ markets and community support. Named in honor of their late nephew, Jack Bryen, Jack’s Bakehouse was created to bring joy to the community through fresh-baked goods made with care, consistency, and heart.
What inspired you to start your business, and what led you to choose downtown Oklahoma City as its home?
After working in many restaurants, I realized there was a real need for a high-quality bakery in the Oklahoma City metro. We started baking out of our apartment, and the long nights paid off when customers began eagerly waiting for us at farmers’ markets.
The bakery is named after our late nephew, Jack Bryen. He was born with cerebral palsy and faced many seizures, surgeries, and complications in his short life, yet he always had a smile. Our hope is to bring a little bit of that joy into someone’s day every time they visit.
Our downtown location came from the right place, right time opportunity. We were looking for an affordable space already suited for a commercial kitchen, and a chef friend connected us with a business owner who was closing.
How does your identity and lived experience shape the way you run your business or connect with your customers?
Connecting with customers is a gift and a blessing that every business owner should cherish. I really learned that through farmers’ markets. In the beginning, people would look at the pastries, then look at me, and ask, “Who made these?” I would tell them I did. Some believed me, and some did not.
It never bothered me, but it helped me learn how to communicate with my local community and build friendships and connections with people from different backgrounds. Those conversations shaped how I approach customers and community today.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs looking to start or grow a business in OKC?
You pay now and play later, or you play now and pay later.
Chef Andrew Black
Chef Andrew Black
Dougla Kitchen, Grey Sweater, and Perle Mesta
Chef Andrew Black is a James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, and entrepreneur in Oklahoma City. A 2023 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef Southwest, he leads a growing portfolio of acclaimed restaurants known for innovation and craftsmanship. After arriving in OKC 17 years ago, Chef Black has become a leading tastemaker whose work blends global influence, thoughtful storytelling, and a deep belief in the city’s culinary future.
What inspired you to start your business, and what led you to choose downtown Oklahoma City as its home?
I wanted to work from my own canvas instead of someone else’s. I wanted the freedom to build something from the ground up and create spaces that reflect my vision, values, and approach to food.
I chose downtown Oklahoma City as home because I believe in the growth of the city. Downtown represents possibility, momentum, and opportunity, and I wanted to invest my work and creativity in a place I believe will continue to evolve and thrive.
What’s your favorite part of owning and operating your business?
My favorite part is giving people a platform to express themselves and be part of something greater than themselves. Creating environments where chefs, teams, and creatives can grow and contribute to a shared vision is incredibly rewarding.
Being able to build something together and watch others find purpose and pride in their work is what makes ownership meaningful to me.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs looking to start or grow a business in OKC?
Stay true to yourself and your vision. Be prepared to work morning, noon, and night, and understand that success takes consistency and commitment.
If you believe in what you are building, the long hours and challenges become part of the process rather than obstacles.
Akiel Taylor
Akiel Taylor
Oak Room
Oak Room is an exclusive nightlife bar and lounge where sophistication, comfort, and hospitality come together. Designed as more than a night out, Oak Room offers an elevated experience rooted in warmth and connection. The space is intentionally curated, so every guest feels welcomed, valued, and at ease, creating an atmosphere where community and nightlife naturally intersect.
What inspired you to start your business, and what led you to choose downtown Oklahoma City as its home?
Oak Room was inspired by the idea of creating a space where people feel genuinely welcomed and cared for. Downtown Oklahoma City felt like the right home because it sits at the center of the city’s nightlife, entertainment, and cultural energy.
The area’s walkability, accessibility, and constant flow of people attending games, concerts, and social events make it a natural gathering place. Being downtown allows Oak Room to thrive as a social hub woven into Oklahoma City’s growing urban scene.
What’s something people might not know about your business or a moment you’re especially proud of?
One thing people may not know is that Oak Room will be featured on the Love Island spinoff Beyond the Villa, featuring Oklahoma native Taylor Williams. Being highlighted on a national platform is a proud moment for our team and the brand.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs looking to start or grow a business in OKC?
My favorite part is meeting new people and building genuine connections through networking. There is something comforting about watching guests relax, connect, and enjoy themselves with the people they love. Creating welcoming spaces where those moments can happen is a reminder of why this work matters.
Jabee Williams
Jabee Williams
Eastside Pizza House
Eastside Pizza House opened in 2022 to expand quality food options connected to Oklahoma City’s historic Eastside, the community where owner Jabee Williams grew up, and an area he describes as having long experienced food apartheid. Built around its signature Black Crust pizza, each pie is named in honor of an Eastside neighborhood or a local leader. More than a restaurant, Eastside Pizza House is a community-driven space that celebrates Eastside culture, history, and pride through food.
What inspired you to start your business, and what led you to choose downtown Oklahoma City as its home?
I have always had a close connection to downtown Oklahoma City, both personally and creatively. Over the years, I built relationships with friends who owned businesses downtown, and that proximity made it feel like a natural extension of Oklahoma City’s Eastside community.
Choosing downtown gave us the opportunity to continue growing the Eastside Pizza House brand while giving it a fresh look and new energy, without losing the values and culture that shaped it.
How does your identity and lived experience shape the way you run your business or connect with your customers?
My identity and lived experience are central to how I run my business. I come from Oklahoma City’s Eastside, a part of the community that is often overlooked, and my family had to struggle and fight hard just to make it. Because of that, owning a small business is something I never take lightly, and I hope it serves as a visible example that ownership and sustainability are possible.
That background also shapes how I connect with customers. I make it a point to listen, stay accessible, and genuinely value people’s voices. Being close to the community means being accountable, and I see that accountability as a responsibility that keeps the business grounded, honest, and connected to the people it serves.
Joi Slemp
Joi Slemp
The Creative Academy
The Creative Academy is a fine arts program designed to introduce children to art, music, theater, storytelling, and hands on creative exploration in one immersive studio setting. Founded by Joi Slemp, the program offers a small, safe environment where students engage with multiple artistic disciplines each day. Rooted in family, community, and stewardship, The Creative Academy encourages creativity as a catalyst for hope, kindness, and generosity.
What inspired you to start your business, and what led you to choose downtown Oklahoma City as its home?
I was inspired to start The Creative Academy because I was searching for an arts program in Oklahoma City that offered a variety of fine arts in one class setting. Most programs focused on only one area, such as music or drawing. After driving from class to class, it became clear that an immersive fine arts program for children did not exist in our city.
The Creative Academy is unique because students are introduced to visual arts, storytelling, architecture, sculpting, musical theater, gardening, and culinary arts all in one studio. I chose Downtown Oklahoma City because of its walkability and the energy of the community. We love that families can park at our studio and walk to parks, coffee shops, restaurants, and even a Thunder game.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs looking to start or grow a business in OKC?
Surround yourself with individuals who are stages ahead of where you want to be. When I first opened The Creative Academy, I met with three women who had already owned small businesses downtown for years. Although their businesses were different from mine, they shared valuable knowledge that continues to shape my decisions.
Even five years later, I still have a close relationship with these women and remain grateful for their continued support.
How does your identity and lived experience shape the way you run your business or connect with your customers?
We are a small, family-owned business. When you contact us, you reach me directly, not a corporate office. As a child, I remember watching Sesame Street and longing for that sense of community where you know the shop owners and bump into your teachers on a walk.
That lived experience influences how I run The Creative Academy. I want to create that same feeling of familiarity, connection, and neighborhood care for our families.
The businesses featured here, along with many others throughout downtown Oklahoma City, play an important role in shaping the city’s culture and character. Their stories reflect the care, creativity, and commitment that keep downtown thriving.
We encourage readers to explore, support, and celebrate these businesses across downtown.
