D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Thursday visited three new Black-owned businesses in historic Anacostia that have received city funding: Sweet Tooth Cafe and Cakes, Sapodilla’s Caribbean Restaurant and Grounded.
The businesses are recipients of the District’s Food Access Fund and Neighborhood Prosperity Fund programs. Together, 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.
“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. “Today, we’re happy and proud to be in historic Anacostia — on Mayor Barry’s birthday — celebrating three fantastic Ward 8 businesses.”
Sweet Tooth Cafe and Cakes and Sapodilla’s received support from the Food Access Fund, created by Bowser to increase neighborhood food access points, particularly in Wards 7 and 8. The program has awarded $23.4 million to support 26 businesses in Wards 5, 7 and 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.
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. It includes a teaching kitchen to support food workforce development and nutrition education.
The mayor then visited Sapodilla’s on Marion Barry Avenue 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.
Finally, Bowser stopped 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.”
Kristina Noel, executive director of the Anacostia Business Improvement District, who accompanied the mayor, 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.”
During the event, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) announced it will provide Sapodilla’s and Sweet Tooth Cafe with one-year memberships.
“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.”
Bowser also 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.