Midwest Black Restaurant Week kicks off in Kansas City metro

Posted: Jul 24, 2020 / 11:06 PM CDT

Updated: Jul 24, 2020 / 11:06 PM CDT

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The inaugural Midwest Black Restaurant Week started Friday, featuring more than two dozen local restaurants.

And with more social awareness and support for Black-owned businesses, these restaurant owners say they’re feeling the impact.

Big Momma’s Bakery and Cafe on Bannister Road has been impacted by the coronavirus, but they’re doing OK now. Co-owner Fabian Brown said it’s largely due to an increase in customers related to the Black Lives Matter movement.

“The support we get from the Black community has just grown significantly,” Brown said.

He hopes the inaugural Midwest Black Restaurant Week brings in even more business.

“The Black community has came and started supporting us like crazy, just like they’ve been doing for other small, Black-owned businesses in Kansas City,” he said.

The event is meant to shine a light on cultural cuisines, like those at Blue Nile Cafe.

“We’ve been in business since 1995,” owner Daniel Fikru said. “We just celebrated our 25th anniversary.”

Fikru is hoping Black Restaurant Week will bring new customers to his River Market eatery.

“A lot of people are starting to seek different kind of alternative foods, healthy food, vegetarian foods, so that’s where we come in,” he said.

Midwest Black Restaurant Week runs through Aug. 2. Cities across the Midwest are participating, and more than two dozen KC restaurants are joining in: