OUR STORY
Richmond Black Restaurant Experience began as a celebratory week dedicated to supporting Richmond’s growing black culinary industry and tourism scene. It aims to counter economic disparity within Minority Owned businesses with interactive solutions that engage a deeper understanding of Richmond and its food culture.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
From 2017 – 2021, RBRE’s Marketing Campaign yielded + $1.7M in revenue for its participating network. As a results of the increased visibility and business growth, the organization of business owners have renovated their storefronts, upgrade technology, back office infrastructure, hire and train staff, and expanded their brick & mortar locations.
PHILANTHROPY & SERVICE
In our ongoing effort to assist in the sustainability of our RBRE participants, we’ve re-launched our 365 Giving campaign. We presented each of our brick & mortar business owners a $1000 grant during the summer of 2020 and $500 to each food truck operator and caterer, in December of 2020.
We have raised $20,000 over the past 4 years, RBRE select a local nonprofit as a direct benefactor to proceeds we earn though out the week. Those nonprofits have created community gardens, food resources to residents in the city who live in food insecure areas and scholarships to RPS students. For 2021, we want to offer a direct give to our network. The pandemic continues to impact our culinary community. It’s imperative that patrons continue to support, order, and encourage these establishments. We have waived all participation fees to past participants.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
RBRE continues to strengthen the relationships between the City’s major companies and community, to include scholars and future leaders though our annual Student Engagement Experiences. Each year, a selected area high school participates in career, personal and professional development and leadership skills. Our partnerships offer the opportunity to create a pipeline of exposure to vocational trades, engineering and science and prospective career tract.
EXPERIENCES | CULTURE MEET CUISINE
RBRE infuses the City’s history, art, music and soulful culture throughout the week of Signature Experiences. “Mobile Soul Sunday”, the Kickoff Event highlights food truck operators and convenes with “Stick a Fork in It”, with live cooking demonstrations, music, arts, local vendors and celebration of the culinary community. RBRE events attract patrons and visitors from across the East Coast and an international digital engagement.
SHEMICIA “MIMI” BOWEN
Shemicia Bowen is co-owner of Richmond Black Restaurant Experience, founder of Ladies Who Lead and Large Enterprise Telecommunication Project Manager. Shemicia has been an leader in technology for over 15 years while serving in leadership with Urban League of Greater Richmond and it auxiliary. Bowen has cultivated leaders and pushed the organization to engage elected official in candidate forums, rising awareness and resources in the areas of education, housing and active citizenry though cooperate, community and civic engagement. Currently, Ms. Bowen served as Chairwoman of Urban League of Greater Richmond. Affectionately, known as Mimi, she remains committed to minority communities. Through Ladies who Lead, she works with young women on launching and navigating their careers and educational access by offering annual scholarships to women attending her collegiate alma mater. Shemicia is a graduate of Virginia State University where she received a B.A. in Public Administration and holds a Project Management Professional certification.
KELLI LEMON AKA “KELS”
Kelli Lemon is a "Social Entrepreneur/Consultant" that is passionate about changing how people "LIVE" Richmond, Virginia. Formerly the Business Manager of Mama J's restaurant, Kelli is now working for herself (Like The Fruit, LLC) to socially connect people through food, sports, arts and education. She is an on air personality for Radio One Richmond's Kiss FM and iPower Richmond and hosts a weekly podcast and web series called "Coffee with Strangers". Kelli hosts various social events including The Richmond Jazz Festival, After Hours at The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Family Day at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. She's also assisted in creating unique urban events in RVA including RVA Pop Up Parties, Hip Hop BINGO, Ready 2 Give Charity Events, Dinner and a DJ, HeART & Soul Brew Fest, Richmond Black Restaurant Week and The Art of Noise. In 2018, Kelli plans to blend all of her talents as she opens her Urban Hang Suite concept in downtown Richmond. Kelli got her Bachelor of Science degree from UVA and Master's in Education from VCU.
AMY WENTZ AKA MIMI
Amy is a Richmond native and a proud graduate of Richmond Public Schools. She is an originating member of the BLK RVA Action team and the cofounder of Richmond Black Restaurant Experience which has brought together over 150 thousand food lovers, over 100 Black-owned restaurants, food truck operators and caterers, and has driven nearly $3.4 million dollars into the local economy. Her philanthropic efforts have given over $200 thousand to various community efforts in the last 5 years. Amy is constantly innovating and thinking of new ways to highlight the brilliant, and often untapped, culture of Richmond, as a way to bring revenue to the city and support neighborhood businesses. She has been recognized as a member of Style Weekly's Top 40 Under 40 and was recently named a 2020 Richmond History Maker by the Valentine Museum for her dedicated and sustainable service to the city of Richmond, Amy is no stranger to working hard to uplift her hometown.