Discover Black-Owned Businesses with Blapp
Last year’s national protests over racial injustice, particularly the tragic killing of George Floyd, served as a significant call to action for veteran comedian Jon Laster.
While he actively attended protests near his home in Brooklyn last summer, Laster has always believed that merely marching would not result in lasting change. “George Floyd is me, so if you take away my comedy microphone, that could have been me on the ground, and no one would know the difference,” says Laster, who shares similar height, weight, and skin tone with Floyd.
Motivated to enhance conditions in the Black community, Laster — who majored in economics and poverty — reached out to friends in the technology sector to initiate the change he wished to see. Over a year later, he officially launched Blapp.
Blapp is an innovative e-commerce marketplace app that maps the locations of Black-owned businesses across various U.S. cities and select cities worldwide. Laster founded the app with the belief that channeling economic spending towards Black businesses is a powerful way to significantly improve the circumstances surrounding the Black community. This is why he wanted to provide an easy way for users to find Black-owned businesses to support.
In 2020, while traveling across the country for comedy tours, Laster conceived the idea for the app. He sought to support Black-owned businesses but often faced challenges locating them.
On a recent journey to Houston, Laster utilized the app to uncover an “outstanding” restaurant he might have otherwise overlooked, Lit Chicken. His goal is to introduce other users to wonderful, lesser-known spots in their current or future destinations.
How Blapp Works
Using advanced web-scraping technology, Blapp provides a comprehensive and up-to-date repository of information from across the web. This information is conveniently categorized, making it an excellent resource for travelers seeking to explore the city while supporting local economies. Here’s how a day exploring New York City, rich in Black-owned businesses, could look with Blapp as your guide.
A Blapp Tour of the Big Apple
Start your day at one of Queens’ most beloved coffee establishments, Communitea, where you can indulge in a variety of coffees, organic teas, and delectable breakfast choices such as halloumi avocado toast.
In Brooklyn, explore the luxury store created by fashion designer Aurora James, Brother Vellies, offering handcrafted, African-inspired fashion accessories and footwear. Nearby, discover other Black-owned establishments listed in the app, such as Only NY and Maurice Malone.
Take a break for guilt-free treats at Happy Zoe Vegan Bakery, known for its exquisite vegan options, including crepes and pierogies.
Amarachi, located in Brooklyn Heights, ranks among Laster’s top picks. This restaurant serves African Diasporic cuisine featuring exciting dishes like chicken and waffles alongside jerk and jollof.
Across Manhattan, a range of contemporary Black businesses awaits on the Lower East Side. Notable spots include Omar’s Kitchen and Rum Bar, a new Caribbean restaurant influenced by the owner’s Jamaican heritage, and Paint ‘N Pour, the second spot for entrepreneur Tinesha Sharpe, who initially opened her paint party venue in Harlem.
Visit the Chelsea district to check out exhibitions at Nicola Vassell Gallery, established by acclaimed art dealer Nicola Vassell. This gallery, which opened this year, is one of the few in the country owned by a Black woman, dedicated to exhibiting diverse perspectives and enriching the conversation surrounding the past and future of art.
Two cultural staples in the city, Huemanbooks and Sylvia’s restaurant, remain iconic. Adapting to a post-pandemic landscape, Huemanbooks has transitioned into pop-up shops and expanded its online presence, while Sylvia’s endures as a beloved destination for homestyle cooking in Harlem, along with its renowned soul food products.
The Future of Blapp
While many current listings in Blapp focus on physical stores, the app is progressively incorporating more online-only businesses. Laster aims to expand these listings and introduce additional content, including podcasts, fitness classes, stand-up shows, and various entertainment forms. Furthermore, he intends to enhance the app’s travel capabilities by creating Blapp-oriented travel itineraries highlighting local businesses in cities like Los Angeles and London.
Laster envisions Blapp becoming a household name, seeking to integrate it into users’ regular decision-making and purchasing habits. His aspiration is for users to “Blapp it” in the same manner they currently “Google it.” Ultimately, Laster aims for businesses featured in Blapp to experience increased sales and success.
