Similar events are now held all across the country, but Black Restaurant Week founder Warren Luckett, a Houston native, first started it in H-Town in 2016.
HOUSTON — This weekend marks the kickoff for the 10th anniversary of Black Restaurant Week in Houston.
According to the event website, more than 30 eateries in the Houston area are participating this year. Houston native Warren Luckett first launched Black Restaurant Week in the Houston area in 2016 as a way to highlight Black-owned local businesses.
“Our big goal through Black Restaurant Week is to get them as much visibility as possible, and so, through our different aspects, we’re able to amplify the different restaurants, provide awareness,” Luckett said. “Oftentimes, small businesses may not have that marketing budget or just that disposable income to really help drive that traffic, so and so that’s what I think we’re most proud about, is that we really are a resource for these restaurants.”
Over the past 10 years, Black Restaurant Week has now grown into a national – and international – phenomenon.
“We’re in over 40 states,” Luckett said. “We are planning to launch our second international market. We currently do Toronto every year, but this year, we will be launching Black Restaurant Week Johannesburg in South Africa.”
RC Simmons, co-owner and executive chef at Park Place @ The Boardwalk in Katy, said he is thrilled to once again be part of Houston Black Restaurant Week.
“Last year, we have a 300% surge in customers. This year, we’re expecting the same,” Simmons said. “To have someone advocate for us for a week or two for Black restaurants in the Houston area, it’s been amazing. Like, you get an influx of customers. People come in.”
Simmons said his restaurant is still relatively new, having opened in the past couple of years, so he still faces challenges when it comes to attracting business.
“Even through we’re on one of the main drags here on Kingsland Boulevard in the Katy area, we sit right behind the main drag, so there’s a building in front of us here,” Simmons said.
One of Simmons’ specialties is spicy jerk lambchops – but he said they also focus on NOLA cuisine as well, such as barbecue shrimp. He wanted to share a message to the public about supporting Black businesses during Houston Black Restaurant Week.
“Find a Black restaurant to eat at. Find and patronize and let us know how we’re doing,” Simmons said. “There’s a need for it. There’s a big, big, giant need for it.”
Houston Black Restaurant Week continues through April 13. Click here for a full list of participating restaurants.
