Monique Hawkins and her daughter Kara Hawkins started their restaurant in 2021 at the AMP at 16 Tech. The mother-daughter duo has since expanded their Black and women-owned business to five more local locations, including Lucas Oil Stadium and Gainbridge Fieldhouse. “I’m so honored to do this alongside my daughter, who created this restaurant,” said Monique Hawkins.
“It’s been so beautiful that we have been able to be inspiring and be an example of women making history,” added Kara Hawkins. According to a Yelp Economic Report, Black-owned businesses grew by 59% in the Indianapolis area, more than double the national average of 24%. Despite this boom, Anita Williams, the Program Manager and Co-Founder of the Indy Black Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the ongoing challenges in closing the disparity gap.
Black businesses thrive amidst challenges
“A lot of the disparity has to do with the confidence of having a business,” Williams explained. “In other cultures, they have generations of people who’ve had businesses, started businesses, and even had the financing and the connections with the bank to introduce their legacy to other people.
We don’t always have that.”
Williams highlighted the importance of support for Black-owned businesses as nationwide and local efforts continue to rollback some DEI initiatives. “It’s important that you include us, our dollars, and our businesses — that’s something the Black Chamber already recognizes and that we’re working toward to be an advocate for small businesses.”
The revived Indy Black Chamber of Commerce, relaunched ten years ago, helps support local businesses through classes and by connecting owners to funding and resources. The city of Indianapolis has also conducted a disparity study to identify barriers owners might face related to the city’s contracting process.
“We saw the boom start just after the pandemic; people were ready to start their businesses,” said Williams. “They understood they might be able to make money.”
The growth of Black-owned businesses in Indianapolis and across the nation is a positive trend, but ongoing support and efforts to close the disparity gap remain crucial for their long-term success.
Photo by; Ryan De Hamer on Unsplash
