Four Black-owned Brooklyn restaurants have been awarded $25,000 each thanks to social media nominations from loyal customers.
BKLYN Blend, Sol Sips, Sofia and Grace Cookie Co and Sandy Beaches Restaurant have been selected, along with five other New York City eateries, to get the funds as part of Discover's $5 million commitment to support Black-owned restaurants.
Discover is giving 200 $25,000 awards to Black-owned restaurants across the country to help them bounce back from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disproportionately impacted the Black community.
The winners were randomly selected based on the public's social media nominations.
BKLYN Blend, which offers affordable, high quality health food options in Bed-Stuy and East New York, responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing fresh boxes of food to healthcare workers and first responders.
Bushwick's Sol Sips is vegan café owned by 24-year-old Francesca Chaney whose mission is to make plant-based food accessible for all. Amid the pandemic, Sol Sips has been donating free meal kits to residents in neighborhoods most affected by the pandemic.
Bed-Stuy's Sofia & Grace Cookie Co creates more than 30 different cookie flavors, including vegan, gluten-free and lactation cookies and Sandy Beaches Restaurant, in Downtown Brooklyn, serves up a variety of Caribbean specialties — including jerk chicken, fried plantains and more.
Through Oct. 31 folks can go to Discover's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to nominate their favorite Black-owned restaurant to win a $25,000 grant.
Discover Executive Vice President Julie Loeger said the aim of the campaign was two-tiered, both to get money into the hands of businesses most affected by the pandemic and also to promote restaurants across social media.
"COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on businesses across the United States, and we want to help effect positive change by offering financial support to Black-owned restaurants, a segment of the economy that has been disproportionately impacted during this pandemic," she said.
To nominate your favorite Black-owned restaurant on Twitter mention the restaurant's name and @Discover, #EatItForward and #Sweepstakes. On Facebook, tag the restaurant in the comments section of a post where Discover is asking for nominations related to the $5 million commitment to Black-owned restaurant program. And on Instagram, upload a related to the nominated restaurant and tag @Discover, #EatItForward, #Sweepstakes and @ the restaurant's Instagram account or restaurant name within the photo caption.
The final draw will take place in November. For more information and criteria visit www.EatItForwardTerms.com.
