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D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser visited three new Black-owned businesses in Ward 8’s historic Anacostia on March 6: Sweet Tooth Café and Cakes, Sapodilla’s Caribbean Restaurant and Grounded.  During her visit, the mayor not only celebrated the businesses that all received funding from the District government, but honored their contributions to the District’s economy, community and culture.

“The businesses we’re supporting here are not just providing food and goods — they’re fostering community and driving economic growth through workforce development, food incubators and wellness programs,” Bowser said.

The businesses are recipients of the District’s Food Access Fund and Neighborhood Prosperity Fund programs.  These initiatives have awarded $27 million to entrepreneurs supporting neighborhood amenities that create jobs and drive economic growth in developing communities, with $12.4 million awarded in Ward 8, according to Bowser administration officials.

The March 6 visits also uplifted the life and legacy of the late District Mayor Marion Barry, who would have turned 89 that day.

Barry served as D.C. mayor from 1979-1991 and 1995-1999, and on the D.C. Council, first as an at-large member from 1974-1979, and representing Ward 8 from 1993-1995 and 2005 until his death in November 2014. Throughout his political career, Barry championed the development of Black businesses. 

“Today, we’re happy and proud to be in historic Anacostia — on Mayor Barry’s birthday — celebrating three fantastic Ward 8 businesses,” Bowser said.

The Food Access Fund, Touring Sweet Tooth and Sapodilla’s, Big Announcements 

Sweet Tooth Cafe and Cakes and Sapodilla’s are both recipients of the mayor’s Food Access Fund, created by Bowser to increase neighborhood food access points, particularly in Wards 7 and 8. The fund has awarded $23.4 million to support 26 businesses in Wards 5, 7 and 8. 

Bowser first toured Sweet Tooth Cafe and Cakes, a family-owned business operated by chef Stephen Thomas, his wife Sara and their daughter Amina. The restaurant, located on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE in The Clara on MLK apartment complex, will offer halal American comfort foods, desserts and vegan treats. 

The business includes a teaching kitchen to support food workforce development and nutrition education.

The mayor toured the facilities, complimenting Thomas for his teaching kitchen designed to educate students in the culinary arts. Sweet Tooth Café and Cakes is Thomas’s second venture: his first is Sweet Tooth Bakery in Capitol Heights, Maryland.

“It was an amazing visit to have her, and her team come to my place,” Thomas, 63, said. “It shows support for entrepreneurs who want the community to have the products it needs.” 

The mayor then visited Sapodilla’s on Marion Barry Avenue SE, another recipient of Food Access Fund support, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

Owner Samantha Abrams opened her first Sapodilla’s in Fort Washington, Maryland. The restaurant features Caribbean cuisine, emphasizing dishes from Abrams’ family’s home country of Guyana.

During a fireside chat with Bowser while at Sapodilla’s, Abrams talked about the origin of her business venture.

“I realized this business from a college paper,” she said. “From that paper, I realized that I could do it, so I created a business from it.”

Abrams said she tapped into various sources such as personal savings and funds from friends and family to create Sapodilla’s in Fort Washington. 

For Abrams, being able to open her new restaurant on Marion Barry Avenue served as a spiritual affirmation.

“Only God could write this story,” she said.

During the event, Bowser announced the opening of three grant programs: Great Streets, Locally Made and the Emerging Retail Initiative, a new program focused on helping food entrepreneurs operating in shared spaces open their restaurants. Applications will open March 14.

In addition, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW)  offered a gift to Sapodilla’s and Sweet Tooth Cafe.

“We are proud to welcome them into the RAMW family with a one-year membership and look forward to supporting their growth and success in Ward 8,” said Shawn Townsend, RAMW president and CEO. “Mayor Bowser’s continued investment in food access and economic development is critical to ensuring that all communities across D.C. have vibrant, locally owned dining destinations.”

Touring Grounded, The Neighborhood Prosperity Fund

Bowser’s final stop was at Grounded, a plant shop, café and wellness studio founded by Mignon Hemsley and Danuelle Doswell that focuses on physical, mental and emotional wellness.

“This visit is very significant and historical,” Doswell said. “It means a lot to have her here. We have worked hard for five years to bring the intersection of nature and wellness to Ward 8.”

Grounded received funding from the Neighborhood Prosperity Fund, which aims to stimulate community development, economic growth and job creation by leveraging local funds to attract private investment to emerging communities.

Kristina Noel, executive director of the Anacostia Business Improvement District, accompanied the mayor during the tour and emphasized the importance of the visit.

“It is extremely important that this area gets attention,” she said. “Her visit says that we are a part of this city. This can help us increase the walking traffic in the area and help our businesses.”