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Support Black-Owned Businesses

Oshawa is proud to be home to a diverse group of businesses and entrepreneurs. In celebration of Black History Month and the City of Oshawa's commitment to diversity and inclusion, this webpage showcases local Black entrepreneurs and their businesses that have contributed to making our community unique. Their investment and commitment have changed the landscape of Oshawa's economy. We encourage you to shop local and support our businesses.

Reasons to support Black-owned businesses:

  • Supporting Black-owned businesses helps Oshawa’s community grow and thrive. Local businesses are important for creating jobs and opportunities and empowering our community members.
  • In general, Black entrepreneurs and professionals have less access to capital, generational wealth and other opportunities, creating additional barriers to owning a small business. Supporting Black-owned businesses can help overcome some of these barriers to help Black business owners succeed.
  • Some Black-owned businesses are inspired by the culture and heritage of their owners. Supporting Black-owned businesses is a way of celebrating different Black cultures and the communities they represent.

Note: Businesses included in this list responded to communication from Oshawa Economic Development and the Community Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee. The participants self-identified as Oshawa-based and Black-owned.  We acknowledge that this is not a complete list of Black-owned Oshawa-based businesses.  If you would like to have your business added to this list, please send your request to Oshawa Economic Development via business@oshawa.ca

List of self-identified Black-owned businesses

Andrea's Dresses provides custom made pieces of African prints and other gorgeous fabrics. We also do African print t-shirts and headwraps. Our styles ranged from formal for wedding attire to casual and chic.

Learn more about Andrea's Dresses

Guaranteed to turn any self-doubting beginner painter into a proud artist upon completion! You provide the venue and enough table space to hold your guests and I provide the rest! (paint, canvas, easels, brushes, etc). NO PAINT EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. It is a great take home experience for all involved! Suitable for kids, adults and seniors.

Learn more about Art by Ashlee

At B&B Alafia Bakery, we blend tradition and innovation to create delectable baked goods that enchant palates. From the nostalgic aroma that greets you at our door to the delectable taste that lingers, we take pride in sharing the artistry and flavours that have been cherished for generations. Join us in celebrating life's sweetest moments, one exquisite pastry at a time.

Learn more about B&B Alafia Bakery

Bradybites Fruit Candy started in January 2023 with a slogan of "Your healthiest guilty pleasure". They buy their fruit fresh every three days from local food markets in Oshawa and use them to make delicious, candied fruit (similar to candy apples), but offering a wider variety such as candied strawberries, pineapples and grapes. The process consists of using fresh fruits, dipping them in a homemade candy coating and topping them off with crushed assorted candies such as Jolly Ranchers, Nerds, Skittles and Starburst. It's like a party in your mouth every time you bite into their fruit candy! Bradybites offers delivery within Durham Region and curbside pick-up in Oshawa.

Learn more about Bradybites Fruit Candy

Carolyn's Beauty Supply & Salon is a family owned and operated Canadian company in business since 1994. Our team of professionals are proud of our Canadian heritage and are committed to providing our customers with the best professional hair and beauty products at affordable prices. With our passion, expertise and quality products, we hope to satisfy all your beauty needs.

Carolyn's salon services all ethnicities and customer satisfaction are at the top of our priority list. We are dedicated to delivering honest and quality work with continuous education and improvement driving our success. It has always been one of our top priorities to maintain customer satisfaction. Our staff works hard to meet the needs of our clients by listening to them to ensure they get their money's worth and exactly what they want.

Learn more about Carolyn’s Beauty Supply & Salon

Catherine & Co. candles are designed to fit in your space and start a conversation. We pride ourselves in having a candle for every situation - whether you immortalize that time you saw your favourite drag queen at Crews & Tangos or want to show someone how much you appreciate them, we got you.

Each candle is meticulously handcrafted using a soy wax blend and infused with non-toxic fragrance oils sourced by family-run perfumers in Canada and the United States. Catherine & Co. candles are both meaningful and inspirational and make lighting up a candle a part of your daily ritual.

Learn more about Catherine & Co.

Founded in 2020, Champs Caribbean Restaurant offers a delicious variety of Jamaican dishes and desserts. Devon the owner of Champs, has over 10 years of restaurant experience and has enjoyed every minute of it. Being a family-owned business, he understands the importance of community and strives to support those around.

Learn more about Champs Caribbean Restaurant

Founded by Clarisse McGowan, who has been in the beauty industry for over 15 years and is committed to her clients and staying current with the ever-changing hair fashion. Her hair salon is dedicated to creating a positive energy that welcomes a wide diversity of clients and specializes in braids, weaves, sewing, cornrows, dreadlocks, fusion extension, tape-in extensions, bit extensions, and more!

Learn more about Clarisse's Hair Braiding Studio

CNMG is a courier company that serves Durham and the GTA. They provide fast, reliable and affordable courier services to all kinds of businesses.

Learn more about CNMG Courier

Erica is a three-time published Canadian children's author and founder of *Colour Their World* and proud resident of Oshawa. Her company provides children's literature and products that assist in educational learning. She is proud to be a member of the Writers Union of Canada, CANSCAIP, Canada Council of the Arts, vendor for various school boards including DDSB, and presenter for Toronto Public Library. As part of *Colour Their World* she provides in-person and virtual visitations to elementary schools, daycares, and public libraries to present her literature through read-aloud and activity to school age children, which encourage emotional and mental health. Her YouTube channel of the same name is where one would find over 150 children's books presented as read alouds through animated story telling. This channel is used by educators and families.

Learn more about Colour Their World

Diark’s M’pire brings to you a variety of products and services. Home of Diark’s Brand, Diark’s Media, Jus’ By Request and S3xyLov3 brand. It’s a whole M’pire over here, all in one place for your comfort and convenience. Get all your printed media such as; Business/Networking Cards, Postcards, Flyers, Invitations, Wedding Stationery, etc. Web media includes graphic logos, social media development, website design and much more from Diark’s Media. Shop all the latest trends seasonal and occasional apparels and indulge in royalty by wearing Diark’s Crown, Shine like that Star with Elegance, Glamour, Style, Swag and that touch of Grown and Sexy by S3xylov3. From the comfort of your home and place of pleasure you can enjoy the stress and hassle free time of Jus’ by requesting product or service you’re looking for simply through our Jus’ By Request services or visit our site. Here at Diark’s M’pire we believe in extending a hand and helping the less fortunate; therefore, we pledge with every purchase or product of service requested a percentage of all proceeds and outside donation receives goes to the Diark’s Foundation, which aid in giving back and continuing support to their many projects.

Learn more about Diark's M'pire

e-CAMP MENTORing (e-CAMP) is a Canadian federally incorporated agency dedicated to youth development and empowerment through mentoring, training and coaching. This social action network informs, inspires, and recognizes youth 15-24 years-old, but is also sensitive to the unique needs of 25-29 year-olds as necessary. e-CAMP along with its partners and service collaborators, support and enrich formal education through four pillars of passion content - Sports and Wellness; the Arts and Humanities; Business/Entrepreneurship and Finance; along with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. MENTORing, both face-to-face and technology-based, provide the foundation for all their activities.

Learn more about e-CAMP MENTORing

Life presents us with many challenges. Managing these challenges can be overwhelming. Learning to cope, navigate and manage with life’s stressors isn’t always obvious. I am passionate about supporting people learn to cope, navigate and manage the challenges they face. I believe we all possess resilience, which is integral to navigating life’s challenges; I’m dedicated to help people uncover the resilience they already have, and foster resilience in their lives.

I have experience supporting others with issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. With over 20 years experience working in mental health across of variety of sectors, I work from a variety of therapeutic modalities to best address my clients’ needs. I’d love to walk with you in your healing journey, as you develop life long tools to manage stressors and move into the kind of life you want to live.

Learn more about Emerging Resilient Counselling and Psychotherapy

From their professional staff to the ambiance of their barber shop. Florida fades has distinguished itself as a complete trustworthy and soothing environment where clients can enjoy being pampered, escape the stress of their everyday lives, and relax with while listening to a smooth classic jazz.

Learn more about Florida Fades

Looking for reliable electrical services in Durham Region and the Greater Toronto Area? Our expert electricians can help in Oshawa and all surrounding areas. Whether it's a residential or commercial job, our licensed master electrician has the skills and knowledge for diagnosing and electrical inspections, remodels, renovations, and new builds efficiently. We know electrical emergencies happy at any time, so we provide prompt emergency services and personalized, top-notch service.

Learn more about Green Planet Electric

Zayowah Leslie Willis is the founder of I AM HAIR ZION COLLECTION. She is an experienced hairstylist/hair care specialist of over 25 years, salon owner of 15 years, and has managed many salons in different cities. What makes her products unique are their key properties; their ability to provide strength, intense hydration, rejuvenation and revitalization of hair. Ingredients include avocado butter, sea moss, and keratin. They all work together to create and maintain healthy looking hair. These are the types of essential ingredients customers need and I AM HAIR provides you with just that.

Learn more about I AM HAIR ZION COLLECTION

We are a locally owned retailer of haircare and skincare products and hair accessories located in Downtown Oshawa. We understand the impact of beauty on one’s wellbeing and as such, our goal is to make accessible essential haircare and skincare products and accessories readily available to our customers. We are a customer-centric business whose mission is to make beauty effortless for our customers. We stock hair cleansing, styling and maintenance products, hair extensions, braiding hair, relaxers, tools and skincare products for women, men, and children.

Learn more about JnK Hair & Beauty Supply

Leequette Santiago, also known as Lala The Artist, is an Ontario based multidisciplinary artist. She recreates family portraits and wedding photos by piecing together pictures of the past. She is also a dedicated art instructor and enjoys teaching families how easy it is to create works of art.

Learn more about Lala The Artist

Liquid Green Products produces and markets a line of eco-superior, green cleaning products for health-conscious families. We operate on the principles of Earth First, as none of our products risk damaging your health, yet they get the job done. We bring the absolutely best quality products for people, pets and plants at a great value.

Learn more about Liquid Green Products

Michelle Richards-Graham is an independent author. She wrote the first draft of her first novel when she was 14 years old after she was molested. The process helped her overcome what had happened to her, and she continued writing because becoming a published author had been her childhood dream. Her young adult books tackle realistic subject matter: first love, friendships, broken homes, abuse, and the tough decisions to be made in the middle of it all. Michelle has made speaking appearances at schools and events hosted by groups and organizations that support adolescents and women. She launched her rebranded personal publishing imprint in December 2019 and released new editions of her books, which are available for purchase through her website. Michelle is currently working on her next YA novel, and she remains dedicated to encouraging teens through events and discussions that promote positivity and inspiration.

Learn more about Michelle Graham Publishing

Nadia Cawley’s main goal is to help her clients realize their real estate goals through owning and investing in property.  She is passionate about educating her clients and breaking down barriers that can be intimidating in achieving home ownership.

Nadia Cawley has been a Realtor for 10 years and is often described by her clients as: knowledgeable, patient, honest, prompt and works hard to advocate for her clients interest.  She ensures there is full transparency in every business relationship, and aims to provide the highest level of client care.

Building generational wealth through real estate is an important aspect of real estate and Nadia wants to assist many people accomplish this on their journey.

Learn more about Nadia Cawley - Realtor

Ocho Rios West Indian Groceries is your go to store for all your home away from home groceries, produce, spices, teas, and more. We carry a variety of products to satisfy the Caribbean, South American, African, and Canadian communities. Hardo breads, roti shells, jerk seasonings, specialty teas, beef, chicken, and vegetable patties, Jamaican coffee, and snacks from the islands are just a few of what we have in store. If you don’t see what you need when you visit us, we will do our best to get it for you. We conveniently offer inside shopping and curbside pickup for your groceries. Coming soon is our online store, to further enhance your shopping experience.

Learn more about Ocho Rios West Indian Grocery

Precision Laboratories is a Black-owned company specializing in professional trophy, award, engraving and marking solutions. We offer a wide range of in-house services, including AODA-compliant tactile and Braille signage, cylindrical engraving, medical instrument and industrial part marking, large format printing, embroidery, awards, and promotional items. Our expertise also extends to rotary and laser engraving, serving clients across Oshawa, Canada, and North America.

"You need it engraved, printed, embroidered or marked – we can! Please contact us by email or phone for assistance with your project."

Learn more about Precision Laboratories

Synergy Business Alliance was created by a senior law clerk and entrepreneur who understands the difficulties faced by sole practitioners and small businesses looking to achieve sustainable growth but lacking the resources and staff to help them get there. As such, their all-in-one business model is designed to help any company and law firm with their administrative needs and manage day-to-day tasks with ease.

Whether you are a sole practitioner, solopreneur or have a growing team, your business can work smarter, not harder, by employing Synergy’s remote and as-needed support to manage any project, streamline your services, build your clientele, maintain customer communication, relationship management and more. Synergy works with you to integrate the digital tools you already use to run your business and maintain a smooth and lasting business alliance. Contact them today for all your law clerk and administrative needs! 

Learn more about Synergy Business Alliance

Formally known as J-Roots The Barber, The Rooted Barber Experience was established in 2022 by Justin Rootham, as a way to elevate his brand and continue to build community around the more male-centric barber shop. Built from a passion for entrepreneurship and learning, The Rooted Barber Experience, has all the qualities of the classic barbershop experience.

Learn more about The Rooted Barber Experience

Contact Us

Service Oshawa
Oshawa City Hall
50 Centre St. S.
Oshawa, ON L1H 3Z7
Phone: 905-436-3311
Toll Free: 1-800-667-4292
Email: service@oshawa.ca

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