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PHOTO ESSAY: Black women are at the forefront of new businesses in Syracuse

WAER | By Isaiah Vazquez

Published March 2, 2023 at 11:57 AM EST

Cha McCoy and a distributor laugh with customers at the wine tasting counter at the Communion Wine and Spirits shop. (Isaiah Vazquez/WAER)

The Downtown Committee of Syracuse sent out a survey last spring to find out more about the demographic mix of downtown businesses. 106 of 163 business owners responded, and the Downtown Committee learned that over the last five years, women of color are making up an increasing share of new businesses in downtown Syracuse.

More than half of new businesses open in 2022 were opened by women. Of those, half were Black women. And Syracuse isn’t alone in this trend. According to JPMorgan Insights, Black women are also the fastest growing demographic of entrepreneurs in the US.

Hear more from the Black women opening up businesses in the city's core in February's episode of Syracuse Speaks.

Cha McCoy, owner of The Communion Wine and Spirits Shop on South Warren St.

Cha McCoy, owner of The Communion Wine + Spirits, poses for a portrait in the wine gallery of her shop. Forbes has regarded McCoy as a “international woman in wine.” Her goals with the shop is to break down barriers and lift up communities underrepresented in the wine industry. She emphasized that her selection is focused on intentional wine making, which includes not only picking products from underrepresented countries, but establishments within those that are owned by it’s citizens, not by outside entities. (Isaiah Vazquez/WAER)

Wine bottles and dry goods decorate the shop. (Isaiah Vazquez/WAER)

Cha McCoy talks to customers about her past experiences in the wine and spirits industry. McCoy’s past experiences included working as a sommelier, public speaker, and a beverage programmer centered around the wine experience industry. (Isaiah Vazquez/WAER)

NEW SEND TO AER/BWMB-21.jpg — A customer browses the wine wall at the Communion Wine Shop. McCoy expressed the importance of intentional wine making and how it led to curating the alcohol selection offered at the shop. (Isaiah Vazquez/WAER)

Cjala Surratt, owner of the Black Citizen Brigade in Bank Alley

Cjala Surratt poses for a portrait at her store, the Black Citizens Brigade in Syracuse, NY. Surratt held a soft opening for the curated vintage shop in the fall of 2022, with a grand opening anticipated for summer 2023. Surratt ’s selection in the shop includes hand-picked clothing, books and various dry goods. (Isaiah Vazquez/WAER)

A detail of books sold at the Black Citizens Brigade in Syracuse, NY. Surratt spoke on the importance of uplifting blkac voices and revitalizing businesses in downtown Syracuse. (Isaiah Vazquez/WAER) — A detail of books sold at the Black Citizens Brigade in Syracuse, NY. Surratt spoke on the importance of uplifting black voices and revitalizing businesses in downtown Syracuse. (Isaiah Vazquez/WAER)

Cjala Surratt organizes and folds clothes at the Black Citizens Brigade in Syracuse, NY. Surratt’s connection with her shop grows as she learns the stories of the goods that comes through and the new stories that are made thanks to it. (Isaiah Vazquez/WAER)

The clothing selection at the Black Citizens Brigade varies from button-up shirts, letterman jackets, to dresses and suits. (Isaiah Vazquez/WAER)

Dreamer Glen, owner of Miss Prissy's at the Salt City Market

Dreamer Glen, the owner of Miss Prissy’s, poses for a portrait outside of her storefront at the Salt City Market in Syracuse, NY. Miss Prissy’s, an establishment that prides itself in “Superior Service. Stellar Food,” is celebrating it’s second year operating as a storefront, and it’s 17th year as a catering service based in Central New York. (Isaiah Vazquez/WAER)

Dreamer Glen shows a signature sauce that her business makes. Miss Prissy’s “Sassy Sauce” has seen distribution at local markets around Central New York. (Isaiah Vazquez/WAER)

Dreamer Glen prepares a Mac and cheese bowl for a customer at her storefront. At the market, Glen’s business serves meal-sized portions of her catering business staples. (Isaiah Vazquez/WAER) — Dreamer Glen prepares a mac and cheese bowl for a customer at her storefront. At the Salt City Market, Glen’s business serves meal-sized portions of her catering business staples. (Isaiah Vazquez/WAER)

Awards and Certifications are posted behind a service counter at the shop. She’s won three economic champion awards with Center State and received two certifications from New York State as a “Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise” (Isaiah Vazquez/WAER) — Awards and Certifications are posted behind a service counter at the shop. She’s won three economic champion awards with CenterState CEO and received two certifications from New York State as a “Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise.” (Isaiah Vazquez/WAER)

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Local News Syracuse Speaks Black Equity Downtown Committee Syracuse Black owned business City of Syracuse

Isaiah Vazquez

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