Black History Month takes on a tasty dimension in Greater Boston, thanks in large part to State Rep. Chynah Tyler of Roxbury, who started the Black Restaurant Challenge in 2018 as way to elevate Black businesses and cuisine in her neighborhood and beyond.

The challenge encourages everyone to check out at least one Black-owned restaurant during the month. Tyler and her staff have compiled a helpful list of eateries that has grown each year.

Tyler said she launched the campaign after hearing from many of her constituents when she first took office.

“One thing that rose to the top of all the concerns I have heard amongst all business owners was they had problems growing and accessing capital and sustaining as a whole,” Tyler told The Reporter.

“The purpose of this movement is to be able to ensure that Black restaurants are able to sustain and to help these businesses grow economically so they are able to thrive. That was my inspiration behind this.”

This year’s month-long challenge launched with a Feb. 3 event at Grace by Nia, the popular Seaport eatery and club owned by Nia Grace. The evening event, which was open to the public, was held on a Monday to allow for more participation from other restaurateurs, many of whom close their businesses on Mondays.

Tyler called it “a great way to be able to show folks that they are welcome here [in the Seaport]… with free parking from WS Development just to make it easier for folks to show up.”

Tyler’s list of participating restaurants includes 25 Dorchester eateries and 10 in Mattapan, including Bon Appetit, Bred Gourmet, Down Home Delivery, M&M’s BBQ, and Island Style Jamaican, among others.

Tyler is also using her social media platforms to highlight Black-owned businesses like Destiny's African Market, a grocery store located in Randolph that offers a diverse selection of authentic African and Caribbean food products, spices, and other ingredients.

“I got a chance to spend time with Adebukola and the family. They are truly an amazing family from Nigeria,” said Tyler, who also posts videos of her visits to local restaurants.

Above, Rep. Tyler (second from right) with (left to right) Bentley Sweven, Sola Ajao, and Henry Ajao at Destiny's African Market. Photo courtesy Swevenaire

“The struggle for a lot of them is trying to upscale from being a microbusiness to a small business and it takes a lot of capital to do this,” Tyler said. “The community can help by simply doing what we always do, which is dine out and shop at your local market.

“That helps increase their revenue and something that easily can be done,” she noted. “Go to your local mom and pop shop down the street. It's a great way to see people like us win.”

Tyler has made it her personal mission to visit all of the businesses on her list over the years and in doing so, she says she finds that “they're all amazing!”

“While I cannot choose a favorite, one restaurant I do want to highlight is Rhythm and Wraps located in Brighton, a vegan fast food joint that will also be opening a new spot in Nubian Square. The food is amazing, and I would recommend it to all. I think it's cool how a lot of the menu items emulate Black culture and hip hop.”

For more info about this campaign, visit @bostonblackrestaurantchallenge on Instagram. And use the hashtag #bostoneatsblack to find other posts.

Sherri Cajuste is the founder of the Haitians of Boston platform. The Reporter and Haitians of Boston share content through a media partnership. Follow her on Instagram @haitiansofboston.