Join Us in Supporting Black Businesses
Last week we highlighted seven nonprofit organizations that C3 has worked with closely over the years. In part two, we highlight the businesses with whom we’ve been able to work either professionally or operationally — helping them save money on energy or having retained their talents to help us fuel our mission.
Below you’ll find four categories: 1- businesses who received one of our past energy-efficiency grants; 2- businesses who joined our sustainability Challenge; 3- businesses with whom we’ve partnered for their expertise; and, 4- organizations with a mission and positive impact in their communities whom we follow, respect, and wish to elevate.
Energy Efficiency Grant Winners
Jacksons II - Body and Soul Salon
Gail and TeeTee Jackson have run a successful hair and body salon on 815 Cherry Ave in Fifeville for over 20 years. They were also two-time recipients of C3’s energy efficiency grants as a part of the Better Business Challenge to complete upgrades like lighting, a programmable thermostat, and air filtration. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Jacksons-II-Body-Soul-Salon/159832860769607
LG’s Elixir
After his upbringing in Haiti sparked an interest in both the natural environment and athletics, LG’s Elixir owner and mastermind Lesly Gourdet created his signature immune-boosting concoction. His facility is located at 1719-A Allied Street, Suite 7, in Charlottesville, but you can also find him at local farmer’s markets. C3 worked with Lesly in 2019 to improve efficiency and recycling with an Energy Star dishwasher. https://www.lgselixir.com/ Photo Credit: LG’s Facebook page
Loyal Beyond Beauty
Loyal Beyond Beauty is a full-service beauty salon located in Barracks Road North (2148 Barracks Road). We worked with owner Shalice Brown in 2021 to purchase more efficient hair-washing faucets and an eco-friendly hair dryer with her mini-grant, which not only helps the planet, but also lowers the salon’s energy bills. https://www.facebook.com/Loyalbeyondbeauty/
Mixed Beauty
Mixed Beauty is a local beauty salon specializing in wig installation and lash extensions, located at 1110 East Market Street, Suite 11-J, in Charlottesville. Mixed Beauty’s owner Brenda Pendleton joined the Better Business Challenge in 2021 and received energy-efficient products for her workplace. https://www.facebook.com/MixedBeautyco/
The Pie Guy
The Pie Guy is a local food truck and mobile catering business specializing in mini pies, pulling inspiration from around the world. Owner Keith Groomes used an Energy Efficiency Grant from C3 in 2019 to upgrade lighting and replace his electrical switch, decreasing heating and cooling costs at his commercial kitchen location on Market Street. He now serves in-house guests at 1325 W Main Street, Unit B, in downtown Charlottesville. https://www.thepieguyusa.com/
Row Services
Owner Ryan Washington focuses on preventative maintenance that can protect homeowners from major, expensive breaks to their HVAC systems and even save up to 15% on energy consumption. To assist Ryan in elevating his customer’s energy savings, the 2021 Energy Efficiency Grants awarded to Row Services paid for five programmable thermostats. https://www.facebook.com/RowServicesLLC/
Soul Food Joint
Soul Food Joint’s owner and founder Shaun Jenkins wanted to bring soul food to Charlottesville. He grew his business from a food truck to a brick-and-mortar restaurant located at 300 E. Market Street, and now even offers event catering. Jenkins received an energy-efficiency grant for lighting and an electrical upgrade in 2021 as part of the Better Business Challenge. https://www.soulfoodjoint.com/
Credit: https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/businesses-buffeted-by-the-pandemic/
Members of our past “Better Business Challenge”
Angelic’s Kitchen
Angelic Jenkins started her soul food restaurant as a food truck in 2014, expanded to Dairy Market, and is now refocusing her business as a food truck once again. She joined C3’s Better Business Challenge to learn how to be more sustainable while saving money. Website: https://angelicskitchen.com/home
Photo credit: https://charlottesville29.com/tag/angelics-kitchen/
Pearl Island Catering and Café
Pearl Island Catering and Café, located at 233 4th St. NW in the Jefferson School, is a family-run business aiming to make traditional Caribbean foods more accessible in Charlottesville. They joined C3’s Better Business Challenge in 2019 to learn how to incorporate sustainable business practices in their daily operations. Website: https://pearlislandcatering.com/
Our Professional Services Partners
Ebony Walden Consulting
Ebony Walden Consulting (EWC) works at the intersection of systemic racism and place. EWC partners with social sector organizations to design and facilitate meetings, trainings, and processes that explore race, equity, and the creation of more just and inclusive communities. C3 worked with EWC to assess our approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion both internally and externally. We know that we still have a lot of work to do, and we are grateful for the roadmap that EWC provided. Find Ebony at: https://ebonywalden.com/
Jae Johnson, Muralist
We worked with Jae on a collaborative project in the summer of 2021 with the Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Charlottesville, and the Uhuru Foundation to create a climate justice mural that was installed on the Red Cross building on Rose Hill Drive. Find Jae at: https://www.instagram.com/skeevangogh/
Shannon Strategies
Sheri Shannon is the founder/owner of Shannon Strategies, located in Richmond, Virginia. Shannon Strategies is a marketing consulting firm focusing on meaningful projects for voices that should be amplified. Developing strong relationships with patrons, Shannon Strategies challenges its clients to be better while embracing their purpose and centering equity. This was our experience when we partnered with Sheri to conduct a landscape analysis of climate action work in Richmond, VA. Photo credit and website: https://shannonstrategies.com/
Underground Shorts Digital Storytelling
Last summer, the Piedmont Housing Alliance and C3 collaborated with Clarence Green, founder/owner of Underground Shorts, on capturing the PHA Youth Climate Justice Ambassadors in their training and advocacy experience at Friendship Court.
Photo credit: https://tedxcharlottesville.com/speakers and website: https://undergroundshorts.com/
Wire‘Em Up
Owner Erik Gaines is an electrician providing services such as remodeling, repairs, home theaters, service upgrades, and more. C3 worked with Erik Gaines to help our energy-efficiency grant winner Shaun Jenkins install the correct electrical system to power his new lighting at Soul Food Joint. Website: https://www.wireemupservices.com
Photo credit: Erik’s Facebook page
other black-led groups making a positive impact
We would be remiss not to include other amazing black-led organizations in our community that are doing impactful work. This list is by no means inclusive of all the important black-led nonprofits and businesses in Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and Richmond, Virginia. If you would like to partner with us, or if we can support your nonprofit or business with energy and emissions reduction efforts, please contact us by emailing Susan Kruse at susan@theclimatecollaborative.org. In the meantime, we encourage you to check out and support these amazing organizations.
B.U.C.K. Squad
Brothers United to Cease the Killing is committed to decreasing gun violence in Charlottesville for a better community. The B.U.C.K. Squad created a hotline for confidential calls to interrupt violence through de-escalation. Each week, the B.U.C.K. Squad patrols high-risk communities and records the interactions that correspond to calls received via the hotline. https://www.bucksquad911.org/
Brave Souls on Fire
Brave Souls on Fire, founded by Myra Anderson, is a peer-run organization dedicated to emotional wellness, culturally affirming peer support, advocacy, and healing justice for African Americans. Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bravesoulscville
Photo credit: Cville Weekly
Ézé Amos Photography
Ézé Amos is a Charlottesville-based photographer affiliated with The New York Times, Getty Images, and NPR. Ézé is a Nigerian immigrant who moved to Charlottesville in 2008. He has dedicated most of his career to telling the true stories of the local and surrounding communities. Photo credit and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eze-amos-6023544a/
Lifeview Marketing
Ty Cooper is an entrepreneur, businessman, and filmmaker. Lifeview Marketing provides various solutions to help companies and individuals market their products and services through video branding, photography, graphic design, content writing, event planning, and logo design. https://www.lifeviewmarketingandvisuals.com/
New Hill Development
New Hill Development Corporation was founded to reclaim the legacy, heritage, and honor of the once-thriving Vinegar Hill neighborhood through African-American-led advancement. Their mission of financial mobility is achieved through community engagement with Black residents in order to create future development in Charlottesville that is prosperous, inclusive, diverse, and equitable. https://www.newhilldev.org/
Peace in the Streets
Peace in the Streets combats issues like poverty and gun violence through community engagement in Charlottesville. The group created a 24-hour hotline to offer immediate conflict resolution services and also hosts outreach activities in order to support the greater good of the Charlottesville community. https://www.peaceinthestreetscva.com/
PHAR
Charlottesville Public Housing Association of Residents (PHAR), led by Board Chair Joy Johnson, is a nonprofit organization that empowers and educates public housing and Section 8 residents. PHAR’s self-governing board is composed of residents and meets monthly to organize community engagement, oversee redevelopment, and address resident needs. https://www.pharcville.org/
Prolyfyck Run Crew
Prolyfyk is a Charlottesville-based running group that builds community and establishes a unique and positive running culture. By shedding light on racism in Charlottesville, they aim to effect change in the majority Black and often overlooked communities they run through. The group meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 6 a.m. outside of the Jefferson School. Check them out: https://prolyfyck.com/
RVA Rapid Transit
Faith Walker and her team at RVA Rapid Transit advocate for high-quality transit in the Richmond area. We were inspired by their “The Rider’s Voice” campaign which aims to make getting around Richmond easier on a day-to-day basis. Their engagement with core bus riders in the community creates user-led change in order to improve public transit for those who need and use it most. Website: https://www.rvarapidtransit.org/
Southside ReLeaf
Southside ReLeaf is a community-based and volunteer-run organization that plants trees and cares for green spaces in South Richmond to create a more healthy, equitable, and sustainable environment for all residents in the neighborhood. Website: https://www.southsidereleaf.org/
Vinegar Hill Magazine
Vinegar Hill Magazine honors the legacy of the Vinegar Hill neighborhood while creating a more equitable and inclusive social narrative and promoting entrepreneurship in Central Virginia. The magazine publishes digital, free articles on a weekly basis and releases quarterly print publications. Website: https://vinegarhillmagazine.com/
Thanks to all of these businesses, consultants, and nonprofits for everything they do to make Charlottesville and Richmond a better place to live, work, and play!
—C3 Team