Black-owned eateries and beverage brands continue thriving in Harlem and beyond. Brand strategist and executive producer Renae Bluitt held her She Did That 2025 Food & Beverage Scene event in Brooklyn on April 6, an event that welcomed over 400 visitors and 50-plus Black-owned retailers. A main spotlight was the 3 p.m. panel moderated by Bluitt and which featured DarDra Coaxum, co-owner of Harlem Shake and HRLM Champagne; Sharene Wood, president & CEO, HH Bespoke Spirits & Beverages; Ria Graham, co-founder of Kokomo restaurant in Brooklyn; and Zewiditu Jewel, president of The Brown Collective.
The panel revealed relatable and professional information about all the women navigating their businesses while working with a family member or spouse. Coaxum shared that becoming an entrepreneur wasn’t the exact plan she had. Things fell into place after Coaxum filled in for her father during a business meeting which went well. “He wanted somebody from Harlem to show up and represent who we are,” said Coaxum. That unexpected yet well received opportunity turned into her co-owning Harlem Shake. “I learned a lot of my business skills from my business partner, and I took that and applied it to HRLM Champagne,” said Coaxum. “HRLM Champagne is another one of my dad’s brilliant ideas.”
Food and beverage services appear to be a promising avenue for U.S. companies with majority-Black or African American ownership. According to Pew Research Center, in 2022, about 7% of Black-owned businesses were in the accommodation and food services sector. Pew Research Center also reported that most Black or African American majority-owned businesses (90%) are in urban areas, like New York City.
As the panel moderator, Bluitt highlighted the reality of how working with family or a romantic partner could be a scenario “that some people would love to enter into” but also one that “some people may shy away from for fear of what that could do to impact the business relationship.”
Brenika Banks photos
AmNews reporter Brenika Banks (left), brand strategist and executive producer Renae Bluitt (center), and Harlem Shake’s DarDra Coaxum (right). 
Brand strategist and executive producer Renae Bluitt (left) and president & CEO, HH Bespoke Spirits & Beverages Sharene Wood (right). 
DarDra Coaxum, co-founder of both Harlem Shake and HRLM Champagne and her crew at the SheDidThat x Madamenoire Queens of Food & Beverage Scene event. 
SheDidThat founder Renae Bluitt moderating the “Queens of Food & Beverage Scene” panel with Ria Graham and Zewiditu Jewel. 
The audience in Brooklyn who attended SheDidThat x Madamenoire Queens of Food & Beverage Scene panel.
Bluitt asked the panel of four ladies what inspired them to go into business with a family member or partner and how they navigated the personal and business relationship. This question gave the women a chance to authentically share with the attendees.
Sharene Wood’s vision and purpose of going into business with her husband was to change family circumstances for the better. She said one must have high emotional intelligence to work with family. “I think collaboration is what’s needed, even if it’s between friends, partners, families,” said Wood. “I think if I tell you I’m in history-making business for my family, who better yet to make history with than with my husband?”
Coaxum described the transition from a personal to business relationship with her father as pretty smooth. “I think my father and I have a pretty good relationship and if you know him, please don’t tell him this … I’m the boss!” said Coaxum. She expressed appreciation for her father’s acknowledgement of her strong decisions as a business owner while establishing necessary boundaries. “Boundaries are definitely important,” said Coaxum. She highlighted the importance of understanding each other’s roles and not overstepping boundaries.
Bluitt sees the importance of continuing occasions like this, like last year’s She Did That 2024 Holiday Bazaar event, that are made to bring many Black-owned businesses into one space. She told the crowd “SheDidThat” was created because it was something she needed. “Community is so very important as an entrepreneur,” said Bluitt. “I don’t think any of us would be sitting here if it weren’t for the communities that support us every single day, that inspire us, that remind us of our ‘why.’”
Coaxum is inspired as a Black woman and business owner by not shying away from her Blackness. “On my [HRLM Champagne] sign I wrote ‘Woman-owned and Black-owned,’” said Coaxum. Her father wasn’t fond of her emphasizing her champagne business being “Black-owned” because of the possibility that it may limit her success. Coaxum strongly didn’t believe she was limiting herself. She conveyed to her father that at the end of the day, the people who support her will be her people. “So, if I want to highlight that to sell my champagne, then that’s what I’m going to do,” she said.
Expanding oneself without limitation are words Coaxum lives by. Ria Graham believes in finding a way to grow their business no matter what. She is convinced that regardless of how great someone’s champagne or donuts are, it isn’t great if no one knows about it. All five women are making their marks in Black-owned businesses and family businesses.
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