Thank you for visiting the Explore Vibrant Pittsburgh guide! Explore Vibrant Pittsburgh is directory for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) owned small business in the general Pittsburgh area. The goal of the directory is to create awareness and drive patrons to BIPOC owned or co-owned small businesses in the same neighborhood. Enjoy!
Have a resource to recommend? Email Emma Konopka, Talent Engagement Coordinator.
The August Wilson African American Cultural Center is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary arts center open to all. We are dedicated to the celebration of the African American journey and presenting its unique and extraordinary role in the creation of popular culture in America and beyond.
Website: https://awaacc.org/
Location: 980 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15222
Born in 1945, the great playwright spent his first 13 years here with his mother and five siblings, crammed into two rooms (later four). A Jewish family ran a small mom-and-pop store in front, and two Italian brothers repaired shoes and watches next door — Jewish and Italian and Black, the three major groups in the once-multiethnic Hill that turned almost entirely Black after 1968.
Website: http://augustwilsonhouse.org/
Location: 1727 Bedford Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15219
Balafon creates enriching opportunities to experience the joyful spirit of traditional West African dance, centering on the cultural contributions of women.
Website: www.balafon.org
Instagram: @balafondance
Facebook: balafondance
Location: 1546 Fulton Street, Pittsburgh PA 15233
Fine Black Arts Gallery established in 2020, created to serve the severely under-represented BIPOC/LGBTQ+ Artist communities of Pittsburgh.
Website: https://www.blaqkhousecollections.com/
Location: 440 First Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Emmanuel Ceramics LLC makes unique ceramic home goods. Inspired by her mother’s love of gardening and women’s handicrafts, Emmanuelle uses lace texturing, carving, and sculptural ceramic techniques to create her functional yet decorative ceramic work. Together the fabric texture impressions, clay, and glaze, capture a moment in time; like putting a memory in stone. Using vintage and antique lace, Emmanuelle creates heirlooms, gardens and memories that can last lifetimes and be used to create new memories.
Website: https://www.emmanuelleceramics.com/
Instagram: @emmanuellewambach
Facebook:@emmanuellewambachceramics
YouTube/TikTok:@emmanuelleceramics
Hill Dance Academy Theatre, named a Pittsburgh Cultural Treasure is a 501c3 non-profit organization located in the Historic Hill District of Pittsburgh, PA. We were founded in 2005 by Ayisha Morgan-Lee, EdD. We train students ages 3 – 18 in various styles of concert dance, fitness and nutrition, and leadership skills.
Our Mission is to provide professional-level training in Black Dance traditions, history, culture, and aesthetics that engages and empowers students to pursue careers in Black dance.
Website: https://www.5678hdat.org/
Instagram: 5678hdat
Facebook: 5678hdat
Location: 2900 Bedford Avenue Second Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Kelly Strayhorn Theater (KST) is a home for creative experimentation, community dialogue, and collective action rooted in the liberation of Black and queer people.
We welcome our home to all who uplift Black, Indigenous, people of color, and queer voices. We will continue centering historically resilient folks.
Named after 20th century entertainment legends Gene Kelly and Billy Strayhorn, both natives of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, KST is reflective of the passion that its founders had for the arts. Today, Kelly Strayhorn Theater carries on the legacy of its founders by fostering bold and innovative artistry with a global perspective. KST celebrates diversity in voice, thought, and expression, and upholds a firm commitment to inclusion. Furthermore, KST provides a safe and welcome space for dialogue and artistic expression for all who enter. Kelly Strayhorn Theater has a dynamic footprint in Pittsburgh, with two venues running along Penn Avenue. KST’s Alloy Studios is a cultural hub in the heart of East Liberty, and the historic Kelly Strayhorn Theater is located in the thriving business district. More than 20 years after the founding of the theater, KST continues to use its broad reach to impact the contemporary arts and the community.
Hours are dependent on programming.
Website: https://kelly-strayhorn.org/
Location: 5941 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Bistro To Go Catering is our catering company, specializing in creating memorable and extraordinary deliciousness! Using only the highest quality ingredients, our menu items are expertly prepared by our culinary professionals. Whether a grand wedding reception, a gala, an intimate party, a casual picnic, a graduation, a corporate lunch, or a large nonprofit event. No size is too big or small!
Bistro To Go Café Is open Tuesday through Friday for Breakfast, Brunch, and Lunch! For over a decade, our chefs have created a variety of fresh sides and hot entrees consisting of hearty cross-cultural comfort foods, healthy favorites, vegetarian/vegan and gluten free selections. Delicious breakfast favorites including our Sugar Pecan French Toast, gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads and homemade soups, and more.
Website: https://bistroandcompany.com/
Location: 415 E Ohio Street Pittsburgh PA 15212
Cafe on the Corner Got Gumbo
Website: https://www.cafeonthecornerpgh.org/
Facebook: Cafe on the Corner
We specialize in nostalgic and unique desserts.
Website: https://cobblerworld.com/
Location: 1059 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15222
Con Alma restaurant and jazz bar began on Ellsworth Avenue in Shadyside in 2019, and since has grown to include a location on Penn Avenue in Downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.
Inspired by the rich heritage of jazz in Pittsburgh, Con Alma, which means “with soul,” seeks to return jazz to its rightful place at the forefront of the local music scene while providing patrons with some of the best food and drinks the city has to offer.
Both Con Alma locations showcase current Pittsburgh musicians, with occasional touring artists. Live jazz is presented Tuesday through Saturday nights on Ellsworth, Tuesday through Sunday nights, plus Sunday brunch, on Penn. An inventive yet grounded creativity informs a kitchen inspired by cuisine from around the world. Chef Josh Ross leads both locations with a fully plant-based menu on Ellsworth and an omnivorous menu showcased on Penn. Plates pair in harmony with house invented cocktails and a meticulously selected wine list featuring varietals from all over the world.
Website: https://www.conalmapgh.com/home
Locations: 613 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15222
Eminent Hospitality combines an immaculate atmosphere with a hand-crafted menu. We put a fresh spin on the “classic” hospitality scene by working with our clientele to ensure that the eminent touch enhances your ideas and expectations. From the smallest event details to the most beautiful quality ingredients, we aim to go above and beyond your expectations, every time.
We set the standard for fresh and sustainable cuisine by including locally sourced and organic food items when available all curated by our professionally trained students and staff.
Whether you’re planning a royal wedding or a company retreat, we have you covered! We pride ourselves on providing a unique catering experience and guarantee that the eminent touch will thoroughly enhance your private or public event, including but not limited to weddings, fundraisers, and private dinner parties.
Website: https://www.eminenthospitality.com/
Family owned and operated since December 2014. At Leon’s, we take pride in our recipes and quality of dishes. Simple menu with all the traditional dishes! Leon Sr. has been a chef for 30+ years mastering the taste everyone has grown to love and can only get at Leon’s.
Website: https://leonscaribbean.com/
Locations: 823 E Warrington Avenue Pittsburgh PA 15210
2282 Brodhead Road, Aliquippa PA 15001
Delivering you the most nutritional and satisfying experience through our 100% natural and fresh Cold Pressed Juices, Nut Mylks, Juice Cleanses, Smoothies, Açaí Bowls, House Made Nut Butters, and Sea Moss Gel. Live Fresh offers a 100% dairy-free, vegan, and plant-based menu. All smoothies and bowls are made from 100% whole produce – always fresh, never (flash) frozen.
“More than just a place for cigar aficionados to go to enjoy a good puff and relax, or for non-smokers to enjoy conversation, food, and an all-around good time, Noblemen Cigar Lounge is an establishment of brotherhood, nobility and love for the community.” – Noblemen grow their brotherhood into new Penn Hills cigar lounge, New Pittsburgh Courier
Website: https://www.noblemanslounge.com/
Location: 9805 Frankstown Road Pittsburgh PA 15235
Roxanne’s Catering is a full-service catering and event planning company, creating custom menus and décor to fit each client’s unique taste and budget. Our goal is to ensure the complete satisfaction of every customer while offering professional and friendly service at affordable rates. Our fresh vibrant presentation embraces many flavors of the world’s cuisines, impressing even the most distinctive palate. We have worked with local and state level government agencies, non-profits, corporations and currently serve as the preferred vendor for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
Website: https://rsecatering.com/
Location: 4124 Main Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Our interest is in growing and supporting a community of women of color who share a passion for cycling. We champion efforts to introduce the joy of cycling to all women, but especially, black women and girls. We are establishing a comfortable place where female cyclist can support, advise, organize meet-ups/rides and promote skill-sharing. We look to share positive images of ladies and their bikes that affirm the truth that black girls do indeed bike! We support bike advocacy, awareness, education and safety in all communities and corners of the world.
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BlackGirlsDoBikePittsburgh/
Black girls run? Of course we do. In 2009, Black Girls RUN! was created in an effort to tackle the growing obesity epidemic in the African-American community and provide encouragement and resources to both new and veteran runners. The mission of Black Girls RUN! is to encourage African-American women to make fitness and healthy living a priority. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 80% of African-American women are overweight. BGR! wants to create a movement to lower that percentage and subsequently, lower the number of women with chronic diseases associated with an unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle.
Website: https://blackgirlsrun.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BGRPittsburgh/
Blanket and Board is committed to providing unique and innovative intimate gatherings and picnics for private, corporate, and community events.featuring a charcuterie menu to encourage self-care, intentional dialogue, and civil discourse.
Website: www.blanketandboard.com
Instagram: BlanketandBoard
Facebook: BlanketandBoard
TikTok: BlanketandBoard
“Where Business Meets Culture.” A black, women-owned co-working and event space in the heart of Downtown, Pittsburgh!
Website: emeraldcitypgh.com
Instagram: emeraldcity_pgh
Facebook: EmeraldCityPGH
Location: 213 Smithfield Street, 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Outdoor Afro celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. The network also connects Black people with our lands, water, and wildlife through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation. Some examples of Outdoor Afro’s year-round activities range from fishing, hiking, biking, kayaking, gardening, skiing and more!
Pittsburgh Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1683388871716534/
Website: https://outdoorafro.org/
The Ruach Bicycle Club focuses on science, technology, engineering, art, math, and bikes. Club members will learn bike science, health, mechanics and how to disassemble and reassemble bikes. This will build confidence and help nurture problem solving skills along with making science and math relevant for today’s youth.
Our goal is to provide an enjoyable and one-of-a-kind STEM education and biking experience for our youth. Through workshops, mentoring, riding, and hands on STEM programming, our students will experience the ride of their lives.
Website: https://www.ruachbicycleclub.com/
We are a full service beauty salon! We offer a wide variety of services from wig installs, natural hair care, hair extensions, braids, locs, nail services, pedicures, lash extensions, facials and more!
Website: https://www.enchantedhairandbeauty.net/
Location: 720 Wood Street Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Global Human Performance was made to help people improve how their bodies move, feel and look. We aim to improve your life’s performance whether that’s competitive sports, keeping up with the kids, or just looking good for the beach.
We use a scientifically backed training system with methods to help YOU reach peak performance in sports and life. You just need to bring consistency, intensity, and the desire to maximize yourself.
Website: https://www.ghperformance.com/
Location: 6901 Lynn Way Pittsburgh PA 15208
PMTCC is dedicated to bringing the joy and health benefits of recreational cycling to Pittsburgh’s inner city urban neighborhoods.
Website: PMTCC.org
Facebook: PMTCC
Timeless Natural Hair Care – A full-service hair salon, focused on textured and curly hair.
Website: salonxopgh.glossgenius.com
Instagram: salonxopgh
Location: 1509 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
At SHAPE Training our goal is to provide every athlete with the opportunity to practice ‘what it takes’ in every moment inside our gym.
Website: https://freetrial.shapetrain.com/
Location: 5916 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15206
We are a full service Beauty & Wellness Spa located a half a mile from the Waterfront. We specialize in full service skin care including waxing, facials, massage and an array of cosmetic beauty services.
Website: https://www.steamwellnessspa.com/
Location: 1809 West Street Munhall PA 15120
Find your outdoor community, with Venture Outdoors! Since 2001, our staff and volunteers have created nearly 900,000 outdoor experiences for folks of all ages, stages, communities, and abilities. Rent a single boat or bring your group out on the water with our Kayak Pittsburgh crew. Join us for our woman & nonbinary beginner mountain-biking and snowboarding groups, full-moon or mindfulness hike series, EveryBody Outdoors body-positive walks and rides, or any one of the hundreds of outdoor trips we host each year. Or sign up your kiddos for summer camp or our in- or after- school programs! Venture Outdoors is a charitable organization that connects people to the health and wellness benefits of being outdoors. Our mission is to inspire, educate, equip, and remove barriers to the outdoors. Visit our website, for our full events calendar, youth programs, and Kayak Pittsburgh locations and hours, or to share a barrier that is preventing you from getting outdoors.
Website: ventureoutdoors.org
Instagram: Ventureoutdoors or Kayakpittsburgh
Facebook: Venture Outdoors or Kayak Pittsburgh
Location: 317 East Carson Street Suite 160 Pittsburgh, PA 15219
YOGAMOTIF is a creative wellness studio that offers art and yoga classes to youth, pregnant people, and the community at large. We do this work well through mindful, autonomous, and creative-based practices. Whether supporting workplace wellness, pregnant bodies in prenatal yoga, or creative communities in Yoga Paint Party workshops – YOGAMOTIF joyfully prepares each student for life’s labor and the art, inspiration, and babies they might birth.
Website: https://www.yogamotif.com/
Ashley is a full-time Lifestyle photographer and mom. She specializes in capturing couples, families, maternity, and graduates. Ashley loves to create positive, vibrant images that celebrate black love, liberty, and success. She takes pride in giving her clients a customized experience that suits their photography needs and helps them accomplish their goals of being well-known and respected industry and community leaders. Her mission is to change the perception of black families and professionals by purposefully creating photos that represent pride, purpose, power, and most importantly, joy!
Website: https://www.ashleyjonesphoto.com/
Instagram: AshleyJonesPhotoPgh
Steel City Cleaning Solutions, LLC is a commercial cleaning company that provides the the highest quality of professional cleaning services by using the industry’s best practices to ensure safe, effective and efficient services that reduce the spread of illness-causing germs, while delivering a healthy, sanitized and clean environment where people, work, learn and play.
