For residents looking to celebrate Juneteenth on June 19 by supporting Black-owned businesses within South Florida, we’ve compiled local Black-owned hotels and restaurants to frequent:
Juneteenth Juke Joint at the Arsht Center
Presented by the Adrienne Arsht Center, Juneteenth Juke Joint is a community celebration of Black freedom and culture. Inspired by the vibe created by the backwoods, roadside establishments run and patronized by Black Americans in the years after slavery ended, the Juneteenth Juke Joint will transform the Arsht Center’s Peacock Foundation Studio into a one-night-only hotspot for dancing, live music, cocktails and celebrating. Guests are invited to enjoy pan-African beats, soulful sounds and a curated menu by the team at Constellation Culinary Group. For $15, guests are invited to enjoy southern-style bites that include protein, a side dish, cornbread and a dessert. Main dishes include Catfish Nuggets, Beef Burnt Ends, or Fried Chicken Wings accompanied with a side dish of guests’ choice such as Mac n Cheese, Sweet Potato Fritters and Black-Eyed Pea Salad, or Cream Corn Casserole. Guests can indulge in a Red Velvet Shooter or Banana Pudding Shooter. There will also be a vegetarian/vegan option that includes a fried green tomato sandwich with a pimiento spread. Tickets may be purchased at the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722 or online at arshtcenter.org.
Rosie’s: The Backyard
Rosie’s: The Backyard’s new home within the Miami culinary scene is owned and operated by hospitality power couple Akino and Jamila West. The backyard location will serve as a temporary home for the eatery while the owners renovate a historic house in Little River where they will eventually operate. Now open with an all-day brunch menu, Rosies: The Backyard is a chef-driven take on Southern American cuisine with subtle Italian nuances and classic techniques. This Father’s Day, which happens to land on Juneteenth, Rosie’s: The Backyard will be inviting guests to celebrate not one but two holidays with a special Juneteenth Father’s Day brunch. Guests will enjoy elevated soul-food-inspired brunch classics and specialty cocktails made with Duke and Dame’s salted caramel flavored whiskey. In honor of Father’s Day and Juneteenth, the Ghetto Gastro, a culinary collective born in the Bronx by Jon Gray, Pierre Serrao and Lester Walker, will be selling customized merchandise highlighting both holidays.
Café des Fleurs
Café des Fleurs is a boutique bakery at The Lincoln Eatery food hall in Miami. Founded by Black female entrepreneur Nahomie Jean Louis, Café des Fleurs draws inspiration from European cafes and flower shops. Café des Fleurs is designed to bring the delectable taste, quality and luxury synonymous with French bakeries to South Florida. Nahomie uses French suppliers to source the freshest and most authentic ingredients, such as French olive oil, jams, and Herbes de Provence and uses old-fashioned techniques to ensure the highest quality product. Café des Fleurs offers croissants mille-feuille, macaroons, french baguettes, jams and more. Outside of Café des Fleurs, Nahomie co-founded French Delice Collections LLC, an upscale French bakery where luxury meets taste. She is also the manager of operations and a lawyer for the Law Offices of Eran Ben Ezra.
SIMPLYGOODPIZZA
SIMPLYGOODPIZZA, the pizza concept at The Lincoln Eatery food hall in Miami Beach, focuses on creating a sense of community in Miami Beach by sourcing fresh ingredients from local farmers and purveyors while giving back to those in need. Helmed by Miami entrepreneur Max Pierre, the hospitality veteran has worked extensively in Miami’s culinary field. He is also known for being a cultural leader and innovator dedicated to creating meaningful brands and brand experiences. In creating the hybrid pop-up pizza concept, Max’s goal was to merge hospitality, advocacy and community. SIMILYGOODPIZZA is a concept and a business dedicated to pizza lovers and those who genuinely appreciate the importance of community and giving back. Its overall goal is to positively impact social and environmental issues within the community through the businesses by simply “Doing The Right Thing.”
The Gabriel Miami and The Gabriel South Beach
The Gabriel Miami in Downtown Miami and The Gabriel South Beach on Ocean Drive were founded by Raoul Thomas. Thomas (pictured top) is the Founder and CEO of CGI Merchant Group, a global investment management firm focusing on real estate and private equity. His Miami-based company formed a $650 million hospitality fund to purchase hotels under the Hilton Brand, such as The Gabriel Miami and The Gabriel South Beach, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. In 2019, Thomas was honored with the ‘Hospitality Deal of the Year’ award for his role in the successful opening of The Gabriel Miami. He has combined an extensive career in global investment banking and management with a uniquely personal history of having lived worldwide to launch CGI in 2006. He has pioneered CGI’s remarkable growth over the last 15 years.
