Angel Gregorio, owner of the Spice Suite, a speciality spice shop, has turned a 7,500 square foot lot in D.C.’s Langdon neighborhood into a retail community for local Black-owned businesses.
Named “Black And Forth,” the shopping center includes Gregorio’s spice shop and features salon businesses. These businesses operate from renovated shipping containers, creating an innovative and affordable space for Black women entrepreneurs.
Gregorio, who purchased the space for over $1 million with the assistance of Washington D.C. government dollars, aims to address the lack of affordable commercial spaces for Black women.
Her project, which started in January 2023, aligns with Mayor Muriel Bowser’s goal to increase the share of minority-owned businesses to 33% by 2028.
Gregorio was the first applicant for D.C.’s Commercial Property Acquisition Fund, receiving support to make her vision a reality.
At the grand opening, attended by city officials, including Mayor Bowser, Gregorio expressed her commitment to fostering a sense of community and creating a model for Black-owned business hubs.
She plans to expand Black And Forth by opening a farmers market in the spring, providing a platform for Black farmers and growers.
Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, who played a role in creating the fund that supported Gregorio’s venture, highlighted the importance of such investments to empower Black entrepreneurs and build generational wealth.
Gregorio hopes her project becomes a model for similar initiatives in other cities, emphasizing the importance of supporting and uplifting the Black community.
Gregorio envisions the space as a community-building initiative, welcoming guest pop-ups and aiming to create a standard for supporting Black-owned businesses.
As Gregorio continues to grow Black And Forth, she remains dedicated to her goal of establishing more Black-owned, woman-run strip malls, consulting with others to replicate the model and demonstrate the collective care and support within the community.
