From fashion, music, performing arts, and so many other industries, Black-owned businesses in NYC have become world-wide trend-setters in their fields, and the events industry is no exception. In the city “where dreams are made of” there’s no shortage of talented Black-owned event companies and venues to bring your dream wedding or special event to life — each with a unique set of skills and experiences.
For a while, I’ve felt that finding these amazing Black-owned businesses to support and hire for an event has been a difficult task — without knowing someone who knows someone, or having luck down an Instagram rabbit hole, there are too few curated resources where the information is easily accessible to everyone.
We’ve assembled this list of Black-owned businesses in NYC in an effort to elevate the incredible work of these accomplished event professionals, and to help consumers find their perfect match for event partners and venues. Keep reading to discover talented Black-owned event companies for hosts planning every type of celebration — from weddings and milestone birthday parties to fundraising galas and corporate events.
*In no particular order…
Black Event Planners
Events by Mona Lisa
- Boutique firm offering month-of planning, partial planning, and full-service planning — with options for a custom-tailored package to suit the specific needs of each and every client
- Events by Mona Lisa specialize in weddings, celebrations, and private events across the country
Guerdy Design
- With over 13 years of event design and production experience, Guerdy Design shows an impressive attention to detail and creativity; the team believes that your event should let your personality shine through
- Based in New York and Miami, Guerdy Design boasts experience in every type of event — from style-forward weddings and holiday parties to birthday gatherings and Bar and Bat Mitzvahs
HerKreations
- HerKreations is a planning and wedding design company renowned for their creativity and talent for producing immersive experiences
- Plan and design weddings and other social events in New York and New Jersey
Ifill Events, LLC
- Ifill Events, LLC is an event planning company that is transparent and easy to work with; they match the client’s vision and budget to produce an ideal event
- Ifill Events, LLC works around the world creating every type of event, from corporate outings & fundraisers to birthdays & weddings
Kayla Belle Events
- Kayla Belle Events is a planning and floral design company with a focus on imaginative details and elegant designs
- Plan and design wedding and social parties in New York City
Fallon Carter Weddings & Events
- Beautifully handles every event and travel detail for personal celebrations that explore interesting destinations — and practices giveback as chair of Wish Upon a Wedding New York
- Fallon Carter Weddings & Events specializes in classic destination events with a contemporary twist, curating every type of celebration from weddings to meditation retreats
Kbelle’s Design
- KBelle’s Design is a planning and design firm with a boutique approach and focus on specialized details that reflect every client’s unique style and personality
- Design and produce weddings, special events, and destination celebrations around the globe
PIEvents and Co
- The multi-cultural team at PIEvents and Co offers coordination and design services with an artistic eye for colors, textures, and design
- Plan weddings, corporate events, and social celebrations in the United States, Caribbean, France, as well as destinations weddings across the globe
Priceless Event Planning, LLC
- Full-service planning event company committed to creating wow-worthy, one-of-a-kind events that dazzle with creativity
- Priceless Event Planning, LLC plans luxury weddings, “epic kid events,” elegant celebrations, and themed events with imaginative décor
Victorious Events NYC
- Boutique wedding and design firm with a mission to create beautiful events that fully capture each client’s style and personality
- Plans personalized weddings in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and destinations worldwide
Black-Owned Florists & Design & Décor Companies
Alexis Denise Floral Design
- Boutique full-service floral designer that creates gorgeous floral arrangements with a “garden-style” vibe
- Alexis Denise Floral Design creates beautiful florals for weddings, fundraisers, and social events throughout New York and New Jersey
À Votre Service Events
- Boutique firm with imaginative floral and event designs produced in-house — using organic and premium flowers of the highest quality
- À Votre Service Events is available for weddings and other social events in the NY/NJ/CT/PA area, as well as destination weddings and events
Brooklyn Blooms
- A premier florist that “draws inspiration from fashion, nature and art” to create florals tailored to individual style and personality
- Brooklyn Blooms designs florals for weddings and social events, along with custom arrangements for special occasions
Kat Flower
- A Brooklyn-based floral design studio that elevates the beauty of each individual bloom through “thoughtful and natural design” as well as seasonal elements
- Kat Flower designs floral arrangements for weddings, events, stylings, and special projects both in New York and elsewhere
Diva Blooms
- Floral and event design company specializing in creating customized events that wow with spectacular florals, event furniture rentals, and more
- Diva Blooms designs beautiful intimate and large-scale events both in and out of the tri-state area
Our hope is to continue to grow this list as a resource for hosts planning every type of celebration…
Preston Bailey
- Premier event designer known for his star-studded client roster and his ability to use the most recent technologies to transform any venue into a “theatrical” environment and experience
- Preston Bailey designs weddings and celebrations worldwide, along with full-scale art installations
The Style Marc
- Internationally-recognized event design and production studio renowned for their elegant events that boast a modern twist
- The Style Marc designs and produces weddings, corporate events, milestone celebrations, and destination events all over the world
Black Photographers
AJ Gonzalez Photo
- Professional photographer with warm relationship with clients and innate ability to capture tender emotional moments
- AJ Gonzalez Photo shoots wedding, special events, and portraits; based in New York City
Alakija Studios
- An internationally-recognized photography boutique, Alakija Studios focuses on storytelling to express each client’s most important stories and memories with a timeless aesthetic and artistic design
- Based in NYC, shoots multicultural weddings, editorial campaigns, and documentaries all over the world
Amarachi Ikeji Photography
- Amarachi Ikeji Photography is a fine-art wedding photographer who has “dedicated her life to studying all things fashion, interior design, and elegant imagery which allows her the perfect eye for the smallest details”
- Takes on a limited number of wedding each year in New York City, Philadelphia, and Europe
Amy Anaiz Photography
- Amy Anaiz Photography is an intimate portrait and editorial wedding photographer who is “keeon on creating beautiful, joyous, and heartfelt imagery that tells a story”
- Shoots weddings and engagements — along with family, social, and editorial photos — all over the world
Anée Atelier
- Woman-run photography boutique, Anée Atelier, focuses on editorial-inspired images and “knowing how to influence a moment with a graceful, unobtrusive presence”
- Shoots weddings, social events, and engagement photos all over the world
Joshua Dwain Photography
- Joshua Dwain Photography is a husband-and-wife photography team who capture their clients’ most intimate moments to show authentic interactions
- Shoots weddings and engagements in New York City and Washington DC, in addition to national and international locations
Kesha Lambert
- Kesha of Kesha Lambert Photography, an award winning member of the Wedding Photojournalist Association, believes in “carving out time to learn about the people that we work with and seeking out opportunities to connect with them and their history”
- Shoots weddings, engagements, events, and portraits both in New York and across the globe
Linda McQueen Photography
- Linda of Linda McQueen Photography was born in Haiti, speaks fluent Creole and French, loves multicultural weddings, and “commits to 30 weddings a year to provide a wonderful client experience”
- Based in New York and has documented weddings in Jamaica, Mexico, Bahamas, and elsewhere
Petronella Photography
- Petronella Photography is an award-winning international wedding and marriage proposal studio that “specializes in helping multicultural, interracial, interfaith and mixed couples celebrate their love in a modern way”
- Based in the New York area, Philadelphia, and Washington DC; photographs weddings all over the world
Black-Owned Videographers
Luxor Wedding Films
- Kalechi Noel, founder of Luxor Wedding Films, boasts an MFA in directing and storytelling which contributes to his cinematic style when producing unique and memorable wedding films
- Captures and produces “Hollywood-style” wedding films in New York (side note: wife, Linda McQueen is also on our list under photography)
Black-Owned Restaurants & Venues
J Loft
- This sleek all-white venue (including gorgeous white marble floors) is the perfect spot to project your dream event, from weddings and birthday parties to baby showers and dinner parties
- We adore how endlessly customizable J Loft is, allowing you to infuse your personal style
- Hosts love the friendly and flexible owners of this chic space
SEE ALSO: Black-Owned Businesses in Chicago to Hire for Your Stunning Wedding or Private Event
Brooklyn Chop House
- Owner of Brooklyn Chop House, Robert “Don Pooh” Cummins (a former music executive) pays tribute to his former close friend Biggie Smalls by honoring him throughout his restaurant space – while combining traditional chop and cantonese cuisine
- Perfect for small wedding receptions, birthday dinners, and more; party hosts laud their attentive service
Minton’s Playhouse New York
- This Harlem spot founded in 1938 by the saxophonist Henry Minton is famous for its live jazz performances and delectable American fare
- Minton’s Playhouse New York is perfect for a birthday brunch or rehearsal dinner with a side of top-notch entertainment
Ponty Bistro
- With two locations (in Gramercy Park and Harlem) Ponty Bistro serves up French and African dishes in a charming, chic space
- This spot is perfect for a rehearsal dinner, birthday gathering, baby shower brunch, and more
Black-Owned Catering Companies
Dining With Grace
- Grace Odogbili, owner of Dining with Grace — an elegant African caterer — draws raves for her beautiful and creative dishes as well as her giving community spirit (helping feed homeless families in NYC)
- With eclectic menus spanning from Pan African fare to Mediterranean and Caribbean dishes, this caterer is perfect for weddings, corporate events, and more
Fleurimond Catering
- Fleurimond Catering is a full-service caterer offering French, Italian, Caribbean, and Latin cuisine that guests will want to take home with them
- Specializes in creative wedding and corporate catering in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Washington DC, and Maryland
Harvest & Revel
- A focus on nutritious, flavorful, and sustainable cuisine makes Harvest & Revel a unique and feel-good choice for special event catering
- This catering team is skilled at providing delectable fare for weddings, corporate gatherings, birthday parties, anniversaries, and more — and can offer recommendations for venues, floral designers, photographers, and more
Melba’s Catering
- Founder Melba Wilson was born and raised in Harlem, and she proudly opened Melba’s Restaurant in the neighborhood she calls home and can often be found greeting customers personally
- Book Melba’s Catering to provide American comfort food for your gathering for 10 to 10,000 people, or book one of the restaurant’s private event spaces to enjoy both their food and ambiance
Black-Owned Bakeries
BCakeNY
- Born and raised in Germany into a multicultural family, Miriam Milord worked for a prominent art gallery before founding BCakeNY
- A favorite of high-profile celebrities, BCakeNY has created custom celebration confections for DJ Khaled, Jennifer Lopez, Cardi B, and more
Gooey on the Inside
- The perfect crispy on-the-outside and ooey gooey on-the-inside cookies for every event
- Gooey on the Inside serves memory-making cookies all over NYC (but the team can also arrange for pickup or shipping for further afield celebrations)
Lovely Layers
- Atlanta-born Chef Antoinette is a classically-trained pastry chef who puts a southern twist on the cakes and treats she produces at Lovely Layers
- Chef Antoinette’s attention to detail means that no custom design or over-the-top request is too extravagant, from baby shower cake pops to milestone birthday party cakes
Snooky’s Custom Cakes
- Founder Dana Alexander started her journey by baking her grandmother Snooky’s famous carrot cake recipe, which is still a favorite flavor of customers today
- Snooky’s Custom Cakes is known to produce custom cakes and desserts for celebrities, including Madonna and Wendy Williams
Black-Owned Entertainment Companies
The Band Method
- Founder Andrea Smith actually founded The Band Method in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago before making her way to New York City where she had previously spent time in New York as a Broadway and band performer
- The Band Method takes a unique approach to event entertainment, focused on details like costume changes, custom arrangements and playlists, and more
From fashion, music, performing arts, and so many other industries, Black-owned businesses in NYC have become world-wide trend-setters in their fields, and the events industry is no exception.
DJ DSRE
- International entertainer DJ DSRE is originally from Amsterdam, but has traveled to Aruba, Las Vegas, St. Maarten, and more to perform
- DJ DSRE has performed for celebrities like Madonna and MIssy Elliott, as well as some of the world’s biggest brands like Facebook and Microsoft
Freckled Dragon Entertainment
- Freckled Dragon Entertainment is a DJ and photobooth entertainment company with multiple DJs, MCs, and hosts to choose from who have experience in New York hotspots
- Serving the New York Tri-State area, this team’s modern photobooths include custom décor that mixes furniture, art and more
Honey+Vinyl
- Honey+Vinyl with their tagline “Your story, Our sound” uses your personal stories to create the perfect event soundtrack spanning international song choices
- These performers are set apart by their deep experience in driving nostalgia and creating the perfect mood for every situation
MikeMusic
- MikeMusic is named for its eponymous founder who took on the nickname when he filled in playing any and all instruments as needed for a merengue band (whereas others were named for their particular instrument, he played them all)
- Mike’s wide-ranging musical experiences and interests make for a DJ who’s able to create any mood for any type of celebration
S&I Entertainment
- DJ Smiley of S&I Entertainment is a DJ and sound engineer with a wide range of musical knowledge that results in personalized entertainment
- In addition to traditional DJ services, S&I Entertainment also offers monogram and uplighting features
Black-Owned Invitation & Print Companies
By Dami Studios
- As the owner, Dami focuses on creating luxury custom invitations for weddings, engagement parties, and celebrations of all kinds, as well as stationery, menus, paper goods, and gifting
- By Dami Studios is located in Harlem, but the team can work with clients via email no matter where they are located
Black Hair & Makeup Stylists
Ashely Brignolle LLC
- Luxury makeup artist Ashley Brignolle uses airbrush makeup and high-quality beauty products to ensure a flawless and long-lasting look
- For larger bridal parties and groups for events, Ashley can bring a full team of hair and makeup artists to any destination
People also ask…
How do I support a minority-owned business?
Perusing the wedding and event vendors on this list is a great first step. Explore their creative work and beautiful locales by clicking through to their PartySlate profiles. Click the “heart” icon to save your favorites and reach out for more information right from this article through “contact vendor” or “contact venue.”
featured design, décor, & floral
THE STYLE MARC
The Style Marc is a renowned floral design company and design studio based in New York City for events ranging from destination weddings to fundraisers. We love how easy The Style Marc makes the design process by working side by side with the client to bring their vision to life, down to every last detail. photo courtesy of The Style Marc