Movements: Howard University's Alums adventure into Business
Last Bison Standing
22 Howard University Alumni Owned Businesses
This article is a repost from Shoppe Black, the brain child of Tony and Shantrelle Lawson.
Howard University has produced some of the best and brightest minds in the world. Some well known Howard University alumni are Debbie Allen, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and Taraji P. Henson. However, there are other talented Howard University Alumni that are entrepreneurs excelling in their respective fields. Here are just a few:
Howard University Alumni Owned Businesses
The Spice Suite (Washington, D.C.) is an interactive spice bar which features house made infused cooking oils and spice blends. Guests can also create their own custom spices at the “bar”, lounge in the comfortable seating area and enjoy a “spiced” lemonade or tea. The SpiceSuite carries spices and herbs from around the world with an ever changing selection based on the handpicked blends we receive often. Founder: Angel Anderson
Volt Energy (Washington, D.C.) is one of the largest minority owned solar energy development firms that builds, operates, and maintains state-of the-art solar energy systems for commercial, industrial, government and educational institutions. Volt Energy offers its clients renewable energy with significant savings through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), which requires no upfront costs. Founders: Gilbert G Campbell III andAntonio Francis
The Envision Firm (Virginia) is a luxury lifestyle management & event planning company. Whether your event is an intimate dinner or a grand affair, The Envision Firm has you covered. They plan everything from weddings to corporate events. Founder: Raven White
Greenlight Design Studios is a full service Design company with over 15 years of experience. They provide Graphic and Web Design services, as well as Brand Identity packages. Graphic Services include logos, flyers, posters, book covers, cd covers, billboards, car/truck wrap designs, product designs, ad campaigns and much more. Founder: Jamal “Hug” Pope.
Partpic (Atlanta) is a visual recognition technology company that allows users to save time and money searching for replacement maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) parts. By allowing users to snap a picture of a part with a smart device, Partpic matches the user generated image with a part and associated specifications. Founder: Jewel Burks
William + James (Philadelphia) is a bespoke bowtie company focusing on custom, handmade bow ties. The line represents a marriage between the charming aesthetics and revolutionary philosophies of William Edward Burghardt, James Baldwin and more. Founder: (ShoppeBlack co-founder) Shantrelle P. Lewis
Smith Public Trust (Washington D.C.) is a rustic-modern tavern and progressive space that offers food, craft beer, spirits & wine. This spot is complete with a stage forlive music performances and a 40-foot bar made out of an old shipping container. Founder: Miles Gray
Integrated Design & Construction(Connecticut) is a full service architecture, construction management administration and sustainable design firm, which specializes in high performance buildings. The firm has an average of 23 years of design, construction and management capabilities. They incorporate sustainability, environmental correctness and technologies into their projects. Founder: Thaddeus Stewart
Urban Co-Lab (Austin) is an urban innovation focused co-working space and startup incubator designed for community change-makers and innovators looking to create solutions for urban problems throughout the nation. We work with entrepreneurs to address urban problems through job creation, internships and inspiration for local residents. Founder: Natalie Cofield
Justice of the Pies (Chicago) is a bakery that specializes in sweet and savory pies. The bakery’s mission is to implement job training and skill development for those who have faced significant difficulties and barriers in gaining employment. Founder: Maya-Camille Broussard
Sole Strivers (New York) is a wealth building consultancy. They help clients save money, make money, repay debt, and plan and execute other projects that increase their wealth. Their holistic coaching process includes a combination of life, financial, business, and career coaching. Founder: Dionisia Cespedes
Jin-Ja (Philadelphia) is a combination of ingredients gathered from a number of international cultures including Asian, African and South American put together in a novel way to produce a unique blend that is both pleasing to the palette and provocative to the senses. Founder:Reuben Canada
Cordially Invited – Party Paper Wrap (Los Angeles) is a an award winning boutique store that offers customers a one-stop shopping experience for stylish and elegant gifts, stationery, greeting cards, wrapping papers, and more! Founder:Yvette McNally
The Atlanta Olive Oil Company (Atlanta) offers over 65 flavors of gourmet olive oil & balsamic vinegar. Their products are all natural–no sodium, no preservatives. Their lounge-like tasting room is open daily and is a unique opportunity to convene meetings, parties, book clubs, or a friends-night out. Founder: Hillary Dunson
HillPoint Preparatory School (New Jersey)is a daycare and pre school that uses intentional, structured play to encourage critical thinking, independence and respect for cultural and social diversity. Founder: Jennifer Henry
The Flower Guy Bron (Virginia) provides bespoke design and styling experiences for events of all types in the Richmond, Hampton Roads, Charlottesville, and Northern Virginia areas. Founder: Bron Hansboro
Lisnr (Cincinnati)is a high frequency, inaudible technology; a new communication protocol that sends data over audio. It is a digital sound file that turns any speaker or piece of media into a beacon, working seamlessly across physical and digital spaces more effectively than all current solutions in the marketplace, most notably Bluetooth and traditional ACR. Founder: Rodney Williams
Victor Group (Los Angeles) is a multi-service branding agency that makes people and their brands fascinating. They help clients build their branding campaign from the ground up. They offer services ranging from designing logo’s to pitching to major opportunities. Founder: Victoria Reese
Tracy Chambers Vintage (New York) carries carefully curated vintage and contemporary clothing for today’s woman. Classic. Timeless. Style. Inspiration. Founder: Helen Nurse
Nelson Publishing & Marketing (Michigan) is a full-service press that publishes books with strong positive messages. They have printed 74 books which are distributed throughout the United States, Canada, and on the web. Founder: Lori Nelson Lee
ACE Media Corp (New York) is a Broadcast Media Sales, Branding & Entertainment firm. The company provides marketing for clients, from grass roots to high tech campaigns. They have recently, adding talent acquisition to their offering. Founder: Andrea Holmes Thompkins
Ndemay Graphics (Washington D.C.) was created by Cheriss May. She has worked for The Washington Post and was the Assistant Managing Editor of Photo/Graphics for the European & Pacific Stars & Stripes newspaper. Her services include photography, graphic design and web design.
