Skip to content

SUBSCRIBE

SUBSCRIBE

    Stay up to date with the latest news and info for Philadelphia! Make your selections below:




    Text “EQUAL INFO” to 215-910-4040 to sign up for our free bilingual text messaging service and receive useful news and resources for navigating life in Philly.

    Live in Color 2025: Black entrepreneurs shaping Philly’s future in Real Time

    By Rasheed Z. Ajamu & Pryce Jamison

    Published: | Updated: | Neighbors

    Tags: | | | |

    This Black History Month, the Germantown Info Hub is spotlighting 24 Black neighbors shaping Germantown’s future — one lesson, business, and act of service at a time. This week: The entrepreneurs who use their time and resources to build community.

    Black History Month is reaching dusk, but the legacy will continue to dawn in our historically Black neighborhood.

    This year, the Germantown Info Hub has honored the month of observance by uplifting 24 Black neighbors who heighten our imaginations and help create change across four themes: mentorship, arts & culture, organizers, and entrepreneurs. 

    Every Monday this month, we’ve dropped six names per theme.

    “Neighbors,” to us, are defined as folks with a direct connection to the neighborhood. Think natives who may no longer reside here, business owners, workers and laborers, longtime transplants, former residents who were transplants, and more.

    We end this year’s series by uplifting our entrepreneurs throughout Germantown who double as business owners but are also community connectors and nurturers.

    Courtney Childs

    Photo provided by Childs.
    • Title: Founder and owner
    • Why we chose her: In the midst of what her friend and co-organizer, Kristen S. Clark, calls the “Germantown Renaissance,” Childs is at the forefront, though she prefers to play the back. Of course, she was featured on our creatives list as part of the Germantown Art & Sound crew. But Childs does much more beyond this. While she’d never tell you, Childs has been instrumental in helping some of the neighborhood’s best events come together — including our very own Germantown Quizzo. This Germantown neighbor loves on Germantown — fiercely — and we appreciate her for it.
    • On the horizon: GERMANTOWN 250 planning; Germantown Art & Sound; Quizzo (stay tuned)

    Kiki Bufford

    Photo provided by Bufford.
    • Title: Owner
    • Why we chose her: Stereotypes about men’s health and wellness have gone out the window since Kiki Bufford opened one of the newer businesses on Maplewood Mall some years ago. Bufford uses her skills as an esthetician to promote self-care for men and educate them on how to do so, whether it’s on how to wash the skin properly or telling folks to stop using plastic combs on their beards.
    • On the horizon: Maplewood Mall Collective events; a new vibrant esthetician now offering facial treatments to men and women; his and hers (couples facials); and the trendy Japanese Head Spa treatment. 

    Crystal Jackson

    Photo by Rasheed Z. Ajamu
    • Title: Owner
    • Why we chose her: There is nothing flawed about Jackson’s practice of giving back to the community, though her personality is perfect and infectious. Perfectly Flawless hit a massive milestone in the neighborhood last year, celebrating ten years. But more important than that, Jackson has continued to connect neighbors to clothes through the Perfectly Flawless Foundation, which turns her space into a shopping experience for those who need it a few times a week. She also runs a special deal where customers can bring in old clothes and get a discount on new ones. (Crystal also does double dutch with folks in the neighborhood occasionally).

    Tara Johnson

    • Title: Owner
    • Why we chose her: Sitting almost at the border of Germantown, Pole Empress is probably one of Germantown’s hidden gems, cultivating a sub-community of people, particularly women and femmes, to practice the art of pole. Pole Empress is not just a dance class — it’s a safe haven for people to strength train and build confidence. On top of being an instructor, Johnson also possesses a Master’s degree in Public Health, understanding that health and wellness don’t have to look one way — nor do you have to be shamed for how you choose to practice.
    • On the horizon: See upcoming events/classes at poleempress.com.

    Rashidah Robinson

    Photo provided by Robinson.
    • Title: Owner
    • Affiliation:Care Nest Home Care Agency
    • Why we chose her: Robinson, raised in the neighborhood, has chosen to give back to Germantown through commerce. With a dream to see her beloved childhood corridor, Chew & Chelten, revitalized, she’s stepped up to be the example she wishes others to be. Aside from her existing business, Robinson also has at least two to three more businesses in the works to bring to the east side. And when she’s not busy building, she’s bringing back old staples to the neighborhood, like the Tin Man at Chew & Locust.
    • On the horizon: Coffee With Company, a new coffee shop.

    Chrissy Watts

    Photos provided by Watts.
    • Title: Founder and operator
    • Affiliation: Philly Experiences
    • Why we chose her: As noted in our reporting, this North Philly native has power and dedication to Philly’s Black neighborhoods — and Germantown is no different. Using her experience as a person who watched gentrification change the landscape of where she grew up, Watts educates visitors and neighbors alike on the hidden histories of the city with her “hood tours.” Through these tours, she also helps grow the local economy by connecting tourists with local Black businesses and eateries.