We had the good fortune of connecting with Rashika & Jeremy Craft and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rashika & Jeremy, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Black Book Houston has created an internet platform to increase the visibility and provide support to black owned businesses and organizations in the City of Houston and surrounding areas and advance the economic growth and development in black owned business by promoting businesses through networking, education, and community advocacy.

Black Book Houston has supported and publicized over 1,000 black owned businesses through an online and hardcopy directory. This directory assists Houston’s tourists and locals by helping them find the many Houston Black Owned Businesses. In doing this, Black Book Houston has been integral in stimulating Houston’s economy, strengthening black owned businesses, and closing the racial wealth gap.

Black Book Houston also educates current and future entrepreneurs to ensure black businesses continue to increase, thrive, and grow. And last but not least, Black Book Houston volunteers in underserved communities to provide quality meals and services during the Holiday Season and in the midst of Natural Disasters and Pandemics.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Black Book Houston is THE LIFELINE FOR BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES! Our platform hosts over 1,000 Black Owned Businesses with over 100 categories to choose from, and provide them with a variety of advertising in our physical and online directory, social media platforms, and website. What sets us apart from others is our passion and drive to close the racial wealth gap & see Black Owned Businesses thrive.

We are very excited about our new Black Book 2022 Edition making its debut this August with over 1000 Black Owned Businesses to support, our new membership program & our upcoming events.

Black Book Houston has been able to achieve success in business by remaining consistent, operating with purpose and staying true to our mission which is to advance economic growth and development while closing the wealth gap in the Black Communities.

Black Book Houston has been able to overcome challenges by remaining positive and keeping God first in everything that we do. We have dealt with some losses in business but we have counted it all joy because those losses became lessons to help us strengthen our business and get to where we are today.

We would like the world to know that we a just two high school sweethearts who wanted to make a difference in our community. Although we have worked extremely hard to build Black Book Houston brick by brick, Black Book Houston would not be successful without its Black Bookers. They are the reason we go so hard & continue to give our all to close the racial wealth gap and see them succeed.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was visiting the beautiful city of H-Town, the first thing I would do it bring out the Black Book 2022 Edition to experience the culture, and flip to the accommodations section to book their stay at a Black Owned Hotel, Hostel or Airbnb. Then we would flip to the Coffee Shop Section & hit up Mo’ Better Brews for some coffee & delicious breakfast. Next we would check out the Fitness section and visit Level One Fitness to get us a quick workout in to burn off some of those calories. After that we would check out the Things To Do section and visit Let’s Do This Houston to take a bike ride tour of the city. Then we would check out the Restaurants section and visit Lucille’s for some amazing southern classic food, then we would end our day with some music & wine at Trez art & wine bar. And we would meet up the next day with Black Book 2022 Edition to experience the culture all over again because there’s so many amazing Black Owned businesses to enjoy in the amazing city of Houston, Tx.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We would like to recognize our parents for their love, patience and support. They have been rooting for us, in our corner since the very beginning. People often do not understand the support needed to become a successful entrepreneur, it can be draining both mentally and physically and often times the support of your family and friends is not always there. We’re thankful our parents & family have continuously showed up to support us in any way they could even if they did not understand our vision! We love them so much and we’re so thankful to have them on our team.

Website: www.Blackbookhouston.com

Instagram: BlackBookHouston

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blackbookhouston

Twitter: BlackBookHou

Facebook: Black Book Houston

Yelp: Black Book Houston

Youtube: Black Book Houston

Other: TikTok: BlackBookHouston

Image Credits
J. Wilkins Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.