Black-Owned Businesses in Charleston to Support in 2026

Gullah Geechee catering, a West African dining room, sweetgrass baskets made by hand, a bridal boutique, a gallery for artists of African descent, three small inns downtown and a bus company that shuttles wedding guests. Charleston's record on this directory leans toward hospitality and craft, and it is the kind of list you can plan a weekend around and then keep using afterward.

Every business named here links to its profile, where the ownership tag shows the source it came from. For the whole set, filter the Charleston hub.

Quick answer

1. Book Carolima's for Gullah Geechee catering, or Carolina Cookery for a hands-on cooking class.
2. Eat West African at Bintu's Atelier or Modalan African Restaurant.
3. Take a history tour with Sites & Insights Tours or Charleston African American Tour.
4. Buy a sweetgrass basket from Sweetgrass Creations by Lynette, or make sandals with Gola Sweetgrass.
5. Stay at Parson Inn, the Jonathan Jasper Wright Inn or INN AT 157.
6. Shop hot sauce and seasoning from Lillie's of Charleston, in business since 2001.
7. Plan the wedding with Firefly Weddings & Events and dress it at Zobella Bride.
8. The Charleston hub carries all 46 listings across 10 categories.

Where should I eat?

Bintu's Atelier cooks West African with nomadic influences, and Modalan African Restaurant is the other African kitchen on this list. My Three Sons of Charleston is a family-run Southern room doing fried seafood, barbecue and Lowcountry plates. Kiki's Chicken and Waffles does what its name says. MESU runs a Mexican and sushi fusion menu and takes over for private parties.

For catering rather than a table, Carolima's specializes in Gullah Geechee cooking, Vibrant Alkaline Vegan Meals builds alkaline meal plans, Take a Bite Desserts bakes from scratch, and The Drizzled Pear handles the spread. Carolina Cookery teaches the cooking class and hosts private dinners.

To drink: Bourbon N' Bubbles sets up for gatherings, B&T Daiquiris brings a mobile daiquiri bar, FermentedVines runs cocktail mixing classes, Don Luchi Prosecco pours its own sparkling wine, and Da Brown Bag ABC Store stocks the shelf. Lillie's of Charleston has been making specialty foods since 2001 and is the jar to take home.

What should I do while I am here?

Sites & Insights Tours and Charleston African American Tour both work through African American history and Gullah Geechee culture in the city, and Frankly Charleston covers the same ground on its own route. JoyRide Transportation runs wine tours and private transport, and G & L Charters and Tours puts a charter bus under a wedding party. Taste of Gullah programs events around Gullah knowledge and food.

For art: Okeeba Jubalo Gallery shows artists of African descent, Drummond Studio Gallery keeps a working studio and gallery, Art of Christine D. Johnson sells acrylics, collage and pen and ink, and A Beautiful Distraction shows original work by Sarina K. Picture perfect photography by Monifa Basdeo shoots the portraits.

What should I take home?

Sweetgrass Creations by Lynette makes sweetgrass baskets, the craft this coast is known for, and Gola Sweetgrass runs a sandal-making experience alongside its work. Gullah Tings sells handmade goods rooted in Gullah culture. Moon-Seed designs and makes every piece in a home studio in the city. The Tiny Tassel handmakes its earrings in house, and Laura Vivian Leather works in leather.

For skin and nails, She Biology Skincare formulates plant-based products, Motherland Essentials makes bath and body goods, and Renee Moore Beauty Bar does nails.

Weddings, and where to put the guests

Charleston is a wedding city and this part of the record shows it. Firefly Weddings & Events plans full service, Eventions By Joselyn and NaPrell Van Buren Events design and do the flowers, Zobella Bride and Aspire Allure dress the bride, and Curvy Couture by KEM alters the dress until it fits.

Guests can stay at Parson Inn, six suites in a boutique home, the Jonathan Jasper Wright Inn downtown, or INN AT 157, a bed and breakfast across three restored houses. SimpliTravel by Kim books the trips for anyone traveling further.

What the record does not cover yet

There are 46 published listings, and every one of them is filed in Charleston itself. North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Goose Creek, Hanahan, Ladson, Moncks Corner, James Island, Johns Island, Daniel Island, Isle of Palms, Folly Beach, Awendaw and Ravenel have none yet, and a few businesses on this list actually trade in those towns even though the record files them under the city.

By type the record is hospitality-heavy: food, events, tours, retail and lodging make up most of it, while health has one listing and education has one. A doctor, a dentist, a contractor, a plumber or an accountant in the Lowcountry would be the first of their kind here. A free listing fixes that in a few minutes.

Common mistakes

• Turning up without booking. A large share of this list is catering, mobile bars, tours and planners rather than a room with tables, so most of it runs on appointments.
• Assuming a Charleston address. Some of these businesses serve the whole Lowcountry from North Charleston or Summerville. Check the listing before you set off.
• Treating a tour as interchangeable. The history tours here cover different routes and different stories. Read what each one actually walks.
• Looking only at food. The craft side of this record, sweetgrass, leather, jewelry and art, is the part you can take home.

FAQ