The first time I was in Atlanta, I couldn’t get over how many great restaurants the city had to offer. Whether you’re looking for a soul food brunch spot, a late-night pizza joint, or a cozy place to grab a creamy latte, you’re in luck because Atlanta seems to have it all.
Frequently referred to as “The Black Mecca” because of its reputation as a hub for Black culture and history, Atlanta is also home to many Black-owned restaurants. Many of these restaurants are owned by HBCU grads, who have also made it their mission to give back to the community by creating job opportunities or setting up education funds for Atlanta’s youth.
If you’re looking for restaurant recommendations for your next trip to Atlanta, here are five great spots that are not only Black-owned but also owned by HBCU alumni.
1. The Black Coffee Company
Owned by Xavier University grads Chris Bolden, Jamin Butler, Branden Cole, Gino Jones, and Leonard Lightfoot.
If you’re looking for a place to get a great cup of coffee, start your day at Black Coffee Atlanta, owned by The Black Coffee Company. The company was founded in 2018 by five high school friends and graduates of Xavier University in Louisiana as a way to create resources and job opportunities for their community. The Black Coffee Company started by serving organic coffee sourced from coffee plants in Ethiopia, and since then, it has expanded to include beans from places like Kenya and Brazil.
The coffee shop has two locations in Atlanta: one in the Lakewood Heights area and a second on the campus of Morehouse College. The owners also donate a percentage of profits to their educational fund, which goes towards providing educational and financial resources for area youth.
2. Dough Boy Pizza
Owned by Clark Atlanta graduate Erika Barrett.
Serving authentic Neapolitan pizzas made with fresh ingredients, Dough Boy Pizza has earned a loyal following among Atlanta pizza lovers. The company has two locations: one at the Lee White Food Hall and one in the Decatur neighborhood. Some crowd favorites are the Piled Up Pepperoni Paulie and the Big Meech, made with shrimp, steak, and a savory pesto drizzle. The restaurant caters to different diets: the pizza crusts are vegan, and the menu also offers several vegetarian pies (or you can build your own pie).
The owner, Erika Barrett, a Clark Atlanta alum, is no stranger to the food industry. Besides the Dough Boy Pizza restaurants, Chef Barrett, the CEO of Southern Culture Foods, also opened SOCU Southern Kitchen & Oyster Bar, in her hometown of Mobile, Alabama.
3. Slim & Husky’s Pizza
Owned by Tennessee State University Grads Clint Gray, Derrick Moore, and EJ Reed.
Another great Atlanta pizza spot is Slim & Husky’s Pizza, where each pizza, including the pizza sauce, is made from scratch. The menu is full of pies that pay homage to classic hip-hop songs and artists. The Cee No Green is a take on a meat-lovers pizza with Canadian bacon, sausage, and pepperoni. There’s also a California Love vegetarian pizza, and the Red Light Special is a red sauce and mozzarella pie.
The restaurant also offers homemade cinnamon rolls and wings. Founded by three Tennessee State alumni, Slim & Husky’s Pizza has seven locations in Tennessee, two in Atlanta: one on Metropolitan Parkway and the other on the Morehouse College campus.
4. Busy Bee Cafe
Owned by Alabama A&M grad Tracey Gates.
Considered one of the best restaurants in Atlanta, Busy Bee Cafe received a James Beard Classic Award in 2022, an award that recognizes local restaurants that “reflect the character of the community.” The no-frills diner offers quintessential Southern food like BBQ ribs, chicken and waffles, fried pork chops, and oxtails. The restaurant also has a rich history in Atlanta.
Founded by Lucy Jackson in 1947, the restaurant became a meeting place for Martin Luther King during the Civil Rights Movement. Busy Bee Cafe was sold to two local businessmen in 1968, who later sold it to Milton Gates in 1981. Today, Milton’s Gates daughter, Tracey Gates, an Alabama A&M alum, is the owner and head chef and has even added a few family recipes to the menu.
5. Slutty Vegan
Owned by Clark Atlanta graduate Pinky Cole.
Slutty Vegan started when Clark Atlanta graduate Pinky Cole decided to fill the demand for delicious, vegan burgers. The budding entrepreneur first sold her fresh, ready-made vegan burgers from a shared kitchen and fulfilled orders through Instagram. In a few weeks, she was selling burgers across Atlanta from a food truck. After building a loyal following, Cole opened her first Slutty Vegan restaurant in 2018 in Atlanta’s West View neighborhood.
There are currently six other locations around Atlanta, including on the Spelman College campus. The restaurant’s claim to fame is its burgers, piled high with vegan patties, bacon, and cheese. The burgers come drizzled with the custom “Slut Sauce,” and if you’re still hungry, you can complete your order with the hooker fries: vegan beef, cheese, jalapenos, onions, and tomatoes stacked on a bed of hot fries.
Join us in celebrating HBCU excellence! Check out our Best In Class hub for inspiring stories, empowering resources, and everything you need to embrace the HBCU experience.
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Reset Your Relationship: How To Start 2025 Strong With Your Partner
As the calendar turns and a new year unfolds, many of us are laser-focused on our career goals, fitness resolutions, and vision boards that outline the journey to our best selves. But amidst all the planning and self-improvement, have you made room for another important part of your life? Your relationship.
It's easy for couples to fall into a routine, going through the motions and letting their connection sit on autopilot. While comfort is natural in a long-term relationship, it’s important to remember: that what you don’t nurture, eventually fades. So, why not make 2025 the year you reset your relationship? Here’s how to start the year with a renewed bond, reigniting the spark that brought you together.
Step 1: Schedule Your Reset Meeting
The first step to hitting the reset button is a State of the Union meeting with your partner. This is your chance to take a pulse on the relationship, discuss what's working, and identify areas that need attention. It’s all about creating space to reflect, without distractions.
Grab a pen and paper (or open a shared note on your phone) and come prepared to share your top 2-3 desires for your relationship.
What do you both want to feel more of in 2025? Maybe it’s feeling more appreciated, or perhaps you want to reignite the passion you had when you first started dating. Whatever it is, get clear about it, and make sure both of you are on the same page.
This isn’t just about listing your own wants, it’s also about discussing ways to nurture each other’s needs. Relationship goals should be focused on fostering deeper intimacy, trust, and mutual respect. Use this time to check in, not only with each other but with your individual feelings and expectations. Set the foundation for a fulfilling year ahead.
Step 2: Set A Date (Or Multiple!)
Having the meeting is only the first step. Now, it’s time to take action. One of the simplest ways to breathe new life into a relationship is by reintroducing consistent, intentional time spent together. For many couples, life gets busy, and date nights fall by the wayside. But dating doesn’t stop when you say "I do"—in fact, it’s even more essential.
During your reset meeting, lock in a regular date night that works for both of your schedules. This could be a weekly dinner date or an every-other-week adventure—whatever keeps things fresh. The goal is consistency. It’s easy to push date nights aside when life gets hectic, but if you set a specific date each week or month, you’re making your relationship a priority.
If you’re unsure what to do for your date nights, don’t worry! The key is creating new experiences together. This is what sparks excitement and brings you closer as a couple. Whether it’s cooking a new recipe together, trying a dance class, or exploring a nearby town, it’s about creating shared memories that build your connection.
Step 3: Find an Accountability Partner
Just like you might have a personal trainer to help you crush your fitness goals, an accountability partner for your relationship can do wonders for keeping both of you on track. Consider hiring a marriage coach or therapist—someone who can meet you where you are and guide you in strengthening your relationship.
When selecting a professional, it’s important to choose someone who truly wants the best for your marriage and can provide actionable advice.
Don’t be afraid to set high standards for your relationship, and seek guidance on how to keep it thriving for the long haul. In your reset meeting, discuss your commitment to growth, and be honest about areas where you may need support.
Marriage isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it endeavor—it’s an ongoing process. Regular check-ins with a professional can help keep your relationship in tip-top shape and “divorce-proof” by addressing issues before they become insurmountable.
Step 4: Try Something New Together
Stale routines can easily make a relationship feel monotonous. Spice things up by trying something new! Couples that explore new activities and create new memories together have stronger, more fulfilling bonds.
My husband and I host one of the top luxury marriage retreats, A Weekend For Love, designed to help couples experience new things together. From couples' workshops to outdoor adventures, the retreat provides a platform to rediscover each other and reconnect on a deeper level.
The element of surprise can reignite your connection. It’s exciting, fresh, and shows your partner that you’re committed to growing together. This doesn’t have to be a huge commitment—it could be as simple as trying a new hobby or planning an impromptu weekend getaway.
Your Relationship Should Be A Priority
As you start the year with personal goals in mind, don’t forget the importance of nurturing your relationship. It’s easy to get caught up in work, fitness, and family obligations, but your bond with your partner deserves to be at the top of your list. Resetting your relationship offers an opportunity to reignite that spark and remind each other why you fell in love in the first place.
In 2025, make a commitment to prioritize your partnership, to nurture it daily, and to invest in its growth. Take time to celebrate each other’s victories, support one another’s dreams, and build a foundation of love and respect. When you start the year with a clear focus on your relationship, you’re setting it up for success.
So, before you start mapping out your new workout plan or work goals, do yourself a favor: put your relationship at the top of that list. Your love story deserves a fresh start, too.
Happy New Year, and here’s to a love-filled 2025!
Couples, if you are ready to do the work and invest in your relationship register for A Weekend For Love: Heart Retreat Feb 21-23, 2025.
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Everything You Need To Do Today To Enjoy Your Future PTO In Peace
Being a 9-to-5 powerhouse has its perks, from stable benefits to consistent schedules to great opportunities for professional development, but one thing you're not going to do this year is neglect the use of that paid time off (PTO).
While it might seem like a popular narrative on social to quit a job and live life freely traveling the world (or doing nothing), there's absolutely no shame in loving the practice of going into an office three to five days a week, getting that bi-weekly notification that your direct deposit hit your account, and enjoying multiple stints of PTO throughout the year.
That being said, here's how to take full advantage of the PTO benefits you not only negotiated but deserve (and in some states or according to some contracts, you're entitled to by law.)
1. If you're about to accept a job offer, ask about expanded PTO even if the company's policy is strict about not negotiating it.
Before you accept a job offer, you should talk to your future employer or HR manager about the PTO portion of your benefits package. This is especially important when you know you have major events coming up this year (a destination wedding, surgery, an anniversary, or that solo birthday trip you've been wanting to do for the past five years).
Negotiate for ample time to accommodate those special events. You don't have to be specific about how you're using the time or why you need it. Simply ensure that the amount of PTO they're offering and in what capacity will accommodate your participation.
If they're only offering two weeks of PTO and you have things you need to do outside of work where you'll need days off, be sure to speak and ask, "Can we discuss updating the PTO to three weeks of PTO if I am able to do x, y, and z?" or "How flexible is the one week of PTO in being increased to four weeks?"
And while experts say that some companies have strict no-negotiation policies when it comes to PTO (and will offer more money instead), they also recommend asking for an alternative like working more hours four days a week, for example, to have the fifth day off in the case that this happens.
2. If you're already employed, put in your PTO requests early (at least 90 days in advance if possible.)
Since we're still in the early stages of January, you'll have a bit of a time advantage when you plan adequately and well ahead. This also helps when there's an issue of first-come-first-serve requests or seniority. The earlier you make a request, experts say, the better. Don't make the mistake of waiting two weeks or even a month before you need to take off if you know about that trip or special occasion well ahead of time. Get those dates blocked off and out of the way as soon as possible.
Sometimes schedules can be amended or a bit more flexible when your manager already knows you've made a request long ago and was diligent about it.
There's another advantage to this: In the event that the request is denied (and sometimes this is for very valid reasons despite what the social media streets say), the earlier you request, the better able you are to adjust your plans or find other ways to accommodate the original request (i.e., ask a coworker to switch days with you, prepare an offer to your employer that might justify a reconsideration of the denial, or figure out how you can budget and take the day off anyway.)
3. Schedule PTO around the paid holiday closure policies of your company.
This might seem like a no-brainer, but sometimes when we're in the thick of working, we forget that there are holidays when the company has allotted the offices to be closed (or at least at less capacity when it comes to present professionals required to be available). Get into those three- or four-day workweeks and plan your vacations, self-care trips, and other times when you want to be out of the office around those office closures.
Some months even have back-to-back holidays when you can leverage working remotely for a few days out of a week and continue with a two-week break.
The office closure policies are unique to each company, and they can change year over year, so simply inquire at the beginning of the year about updates on a confirmed calendar of closures, or be diligent about looking out for the company when HR managers release the information.
4. Be more diligent with your time management, productivity, and setting boundaries.
Enjoying PTO isn't just about the time you have off. It's also about how you spend that time. If you're still answering emails and putting out fires over the phone while beachside in Bali, what's the point? Start today with setting boundaries (via one-on-one conversations with your team or manager about how much you value your time off and how they can effectively communicate with you (or vice versa) during those times).
Set up systems where you're spending your time wisely before your PTO kicks in versus indulging in workplace time-wasters, manually responding to common inquiries (Hello, use AI!), or neglecting to automate and delegate the parts of your job that should be.
When you're able to put systems in place that allow you to do your job not only well, but with ease, you're more likely to really enjoy that time off, whether you're on an excursion, handling a tough life situation, or doing nothing at all.
5. Create cultures of family and friend support when it comes to how you use your PTO.
Your time off often includes the ones you love, so even though you're being paid during your downtime, it's important that your family is on board with whatever vibe will accommodate that time spent. Talk with your partner or spouse about your paid time off and how you like to use it. Make sure your values align with friends and family so that there aren't unreasonable or stressful expectations about how you'll spend that time.
And when you can, schedule those necessary or not-so-fun appointments (healthcare visits, school meetings, etc.) for breaks during your actual work day so you won't be using good PTO to do those things.
Block out dates for certain appointments that come out every year, and schedule the next appointment while you're already at the office, school, or clinic. Hire that cleaner, delegate parenting duties, and get the help you need so that more of your PTO can be used for self-care, reflection, and fun. You deserve a bit more ease, balance, and a couple of real breaks this year.
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