Black History Month in the Lehigh Valley: Celebrating Black Women-Owned Businesses and Creative Voices

Women EmpowermentCommunity and Events
Written By Jennifer Mindock

Black History Month gives us the chance to pause, celebrate, and say this out loud. Black women in the Lehigh Valley are doing incredible things. They are building businesses, creating culture, leading with heart, and showing up every day as themselves, fully and unapologetically.

This feature highlights Black women-owned businesses and creative voices across the Lehigh Valley, centering personal stories alongside professional journeys. Each woman brings her own background, culture, and lived experience into the work she creates, contributing not only to the local economy, but to the collective heartbeat of our region.

Through their reflections, we gain deeper insight into what it means to create as a Black woman, to build something meaningful in community, and to honor both where you come from and where you are going. This is not just a celebration of business ownership, but of identity, resilience, creativity, and the power of telling your story in your own words.

What is this Black History Month feature about?
This feature celebrates Black women-owned businesses and creators in the Lehigh Valley by sharing their personal stories, cultural backgrounds, and entrepreneurial journeys.

Why focus on Black women entrepreneurs in the Lehigh Valley?
Black women entrepreneurs play a vital role in the local economy and cultural landscape, yet their stories are often underrepresented. This feature centers their voices and lived experiences.

Meet Elizabeth founder of Children Representing in the Culture

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Meet Elizabeth founder of Children Representing in the Culture 🫶

My name is Elizabeth Cherilus. I am the founder of the nonprofit organization Children Representing in the Culture, also known as CRITC. But when nobody’s around, I’m a chill woman rooted in honesty, intentional moments, and love. I am from the Lehigh Valley, specifically Easton.

Easton wasn’t always so diverse. I was one of the few little Black girls from the Palmer, PA in the 90s. Space wasn’t always created for me because people didn’t know how to make space for something that was unknown to them, but I stayed authentic to myself and learned how to create comfortable spaces for myself, in due part to my amazing family. As I got older, I paid my way through college, working multiple jobs, and secured 15 years of experience working for various nonprofits in the mental health space. That experience gave me the momentum to start my own nonprofit for those who want to create space for their inner child.

That was a defining moment for me, understanding that I could continue to give my all toward an agency as a family therapist or I could take the knowledge I had gained and apply it back home. And so I took it home.

At CRITC, we have created mental health and mindfulness workshops for children and adults, allowing them spaces to heal physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, and spiritually. This work doesn’t look the same for everyone, so we create individualized plans for specific groups or people to help them find a natural balance. I serve people in their homes, in groups–– whether that’s women’s groups, after-school programs, or teams looking to enhance their development.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my field is that people see the color of my skin and are surprised when I articulate myself well. If I mention being a Black woman, some people feel the need to bring up a Black family member or talk about everyone else. But I’ve learned to accept it as part of life, while making sure it doesn’t dim my light. I have grown boldly and professionally since starting this journey. As a therapist, I’ve always had to listen to others, but now I get to share more about myself through opportunities like this, which has been new, fun, and revitalizing.

I want people in the Lehigh Valley to know about Black women business owners and that we’re not all the same. Just like anyone within one race isn’t the same, we come in all shapes, sizes, colors, personality types, and backgrounds. We’re tired of trying to fit into a box. Allow us to be authentically us.

To me, success looks like putting effort in every day. The percentage of effort varies, but I make sure I put some type of effort in. That could mean doing something personally for myself, for the nonprofit, or for a friend, but putting in consistent effort each day is what makes me successful.

I don’t normally share my future plans outside of our team, but we have some amazing community events coming up this year, continuing the work we did in 2025, with a few extra surprises for 2026. Please feel free to join us on our journey.

  • Being a Black woman to me means that being Black is enough, and it deserves a space to just be about us. So many times, I’ve mentioned that I’m a Black woman, and someone will bring up “all” or everyone else. But over time, it has become even clearer to me that we are enough, and it can just be about us— period. This shows up in the work that I do because I believe the people I work with are allowed to authentically be themselves without minimizing anyone else.

  • Outside of work, being a wife brings me joy. Being a daughter brings me joy. Art brings me joy. Music brings me joy. Genuine connections with other Black women brings me joy. Practicing rest doesn’t look like one thing to me. I truly have to practice what I preach. Rest looks like actual rest: going for a walk, taking a trip, painting. Rest doesn’t have a recipe.

  • If I could offer advice to young Black women just starting their entrepreneurial journey, it would be this: work hard, be persistent, but also make time for rest. You only have one body here on this Earth. Take care of your mind. Take care of your body. Beauty takes growth— never be complacent. The world is your oyster.

Instagram @critc.inc

 

Meet Avery creator behind Grub, Gather, Glow

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Meet Avery creator behind Grub, Gather, Glow ☕

Self portraits by Jennifer Warren

I’m Avery, the creator behind Grub, Gather, Glow, but I’m also a mother, a partner, a stepmother, an aunt, a daughter, a cousin, and a sister— roles that go far beyond my job. I’m deeply rooted in family and in the people I love, including friends who feel like chosen family. I’m naturally quiet unless we’re talking about something meaningful or deep. I love music, books, and art in all forms. I’m reflective, empathetic, emotional, and constantly humbled by the human experience and the way it shapes us.

I’m from the Poconos, with family roots in New Jersey, New York City, and the South. I attended predominantly white schools before high school, which created an early tug-of-war with my identity.

I had a beautiful childhood filled with lemonade stands and close friendships, but I still struggled with belonging— never feeling quite “Black enough” in some spaces and “too Black” in others. In high school, I experienced true diversity, and that shaped how I see the world as a place where different cultures can coexist, connect, and thrive. From that point on, community became a core value for me— how to make people feel celebrated and part of something bigger.

Becoming a mom was the defining season for me. I moved to the Lehigh Valley in 2022 and worked remotely, which made it harder to feel rooted at first. After giving birth, I realized I wanted my son to grow up loving this place and that meant I had to fall in love with it too. That pushed me to start exploring the Lehigh Valley intentionally, especially through food and local businesses. In doing so, I discovered a side of the community I hadn’t seen before, and that sense of connection changed everything.

I review small businesses and share them on Instagram. Small businesses are the heartbeat of a community, and this has become my way of getting to know the Lehigh Valley while supporting the people who keep it alive. Every time I share a small business, I feel like I’m supporting a neighbor’s dream in real time. With so much chaos in the world, I believe healing happens when we get out, connect, and have real conversations. Exchanging smiles and spending time together softens our hearts and that kind of connection matters deeply.

As a creator, I’ve been fortunate not to face significant challenges related to my identity. Beyond Instagram, though, I work in corporate America, where I’ve encountered both overt and covert prejudice.

What keeps me going is remembering who I am. Before high school, I often felt like I had to hide parts of myself, and I never want to return to that. Showing up fully doesn’t always make the problem disappear, but it allows me to feel grounded, comfortable, and proud of how I show up and respond.

I’d love to open a brick-and-mortar space in the Lehigh Valley one day, with art and community at the center. I especially want to create space for Black women in the area to connect, celebrate, and support one another.

I’m also working toward slowing down. I’m grateful for my corporate career and don’t plan on leaving anytime soon, but I want to reclaim my time and make sure work fits into my life— not the other way around.

To other Black women who are just beginning their journey, just go for it. If you feel the pull, listen to it. Get your logistics in order, do the work behind the scenes, and trust yourself enough to start before everything feels perfect. Don’t discount yourself–– your time, your talent, or your work. Build at your own pace and protect your joy.

  • Being a Black woman is one of the most powerful and sacred experiences of my life, second only to being a mother. We are nurturing, brave, intuitive, and deeply kind.

    At the same time, being a Black woman has required a lot of unlearning— unlearning that every problem is ours to solve, or that we must exhaust ourselves to earn rest and softness. There’s a duality to it: we are strong and tender, capable and deserving of ease. I’d like to think that understanding shows up in my work through how intentionally I build, lead, and create— with humanity, care, and room to breathe.

  • My parents instilled values that still guide me today:

    Most people are good.
    It’s always the right time to do the right thing.
    Your word is one of the most powerful things you have.

    I was also raised with the belief that everyone is invited and no one should feel excluded— a value that sits at the core of my love for building community and belonging. And when all else fails, just laugh. I’m deeply against holding onto grudges or anger— we can’t take ourselves too seriously. As my dad would say, “scratch your ass and be glad.”

  • We are here. We care. We are talented, creative, and deeply invested in this community. We are not looking for favors or handouts, but we also shouldn’t have to work harder than anyone else to receive support.

    We aren’t lucky. We’ve worked hard. And our price is our price.

 

Meet Jasmine of Petals of a Woman

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Meet Jasmine of Petals of a Woman 🌸

I’m Jasmine, a soft-hearted, faith-led woman who deeply values connection, peace, creativity, and meaningful moments. When no one is watching, I’m reflective, journaling, praying, dreaming, and planning beautiful experiences. I also love to travel and explore new places, which constantly inspires how I create experiences for women.

I’m originally from New York, and my upbringing taught me resilience, resourcefulness, and the importance of community. Growing up, I always longed for deep sisterhood and safe spaces where women could simply be themselves. That desire later became the foundation of my work and my brand.

Petals Of A Woman was created from a simple desire to make women feel beautiful and it grew into a sisterhood movement that reminds me that small beginnings can lead to powerful impact.

I started by making handmade earrings because I wanted women to feel beautiful. Through networking and meeting other women, I realized the real need wasn’t just accessories— it was connection, healing, and sisterhood. That moment shifted everything and led me to create Petals Of A Woman.

Being a Black woman means strength, grace, creativity, and resilience. In my work, it shows up through intentional safe spaces where Black women can rest, heal, laugh, and not feel like they have to carry everything alone.

I create retreats, events, and experiences that center sisterhood, wellness, travel, and self-care for women. It matters because many women don’t have spaces where they feel emotionally safe, supported, and free to be themselves. Locally, I bring women together for healing and connection. Beyond that, my retreats and online presence reach women in different states, showing them that they deserve rest, joy, travel, and community.

God, prayer, journaling, traveling, and the women in my community inspire and encourage me. Seeing women show up for themselves gives me the courage to keep going.

I’ve evolved from someone trying to figure it out to a woman confidently walking in alignment. I’m most proud of the version of me who listens to God, trusts her vision, and creates from the heart.

I’m currently working towards expanding Petals Of A Woman into a larger movement with retreats in beautiful destinations, products, and more spaces for women to gather, heal, travel, and connect.

I would encourage other Black women who are just beginning their journey to start with what you have. Trust your vision. You don’t need everything figured out to begin. Your voice and your story matter.

  • Funding, visibility, and being taken seriously in wellness and event spaces. What keeps me going is my faith and the testimonies from women who tell me how much these experiences meant to them.

  • Success looks like alignment, peace, and being able to create experiences that truly impact women’s lives while providing for my family.

  • We are innovative, creative, resilient, and deeply community-focused. Supporting us means supporting spaces that uplift the entire community.

 

Meet Marly of Fenimore and Rutland

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Meet Marly of Fenimore and Rutland 💐

Meet Marly, the woman behind Fenimore and Rutland–– I would describe myself as a lifelong learner with a strong sense of curiosity. A modern-day Renaissance woman. My roots are in Brooklyn, NY, and I am a first-generation Haitian-American. I’ve called Pennsylvania home for 30 years. My Haitian heritage has shaped my perseverance, and my urban background has given me grit. 

My mother inspires me. She had to overcome many obstacles and yet continues to try to maintain her peace and happiness. 

I had no idea that growing flowers was a vocation. Coming from an immigrant background and having no previous access to land, I did not know about floral farming until my mid-forties. Imagine my surprise at realizing there is a large community of flower growers, and within that community is a growing number of Black flower growers! Because representation is important to me, I look to ‘show up’ where my identity adds to the conversation. My identity also shows up in my creative designs, where culturally relevant.  

One cultural value that is passed down in Haitian heritage is education, faith, and family. This has helped shape my priorities when I started the business. Having no capital or access to large amounts of land, I’ve learned to start with what I had. 

At Fenimore and Rutland, I grow flowers for my community and provide flowers for community subscription (CSA) and events. I am working towards creating a collective of flower growers locally. 

Being with my family brings me so much joy. Visiting galleries, gardens, art museums, cultural events, etc. keeps me motivated!

I want other Black women-owned businesses to keep showing up! I encourage you to join a group for support to share failures and successes. 

Lastly, I want people to know they have access to beautiful flowers right here in the valley, with six growers, and I hope they follow the journey of our new collective. (Greater Valley Flowers Growers)

  • When I realized I wanted to create a life where my hands were constantly in the soil, growing and creating beautiful flowers for my community. 

  • I am most proud of having found a community of black flower growers. I have learned to take signs of burnout seriously and learned the power of saying no to what may not be beneficial for the business. 

  • Success looks like I have my hands in many activities of learning and experimenting. 

Jennifer Mindock
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