Black-owned businesses in Orange County, Southern California, are growing, even though the region has a small Black population. Black residents make up about 1.7% of the county’s population, or around 54,000 people. Many of these businesses are located in cities like Irvine. Factors such as relocation, community support, and local advocacy have contributed to their presence in the local economy.
One example is Lynda’s African Delicacies, a restaurant in Irvine’s Airport Business Center. The business was founded by Linda Umaru, a Nigerian immigrant. It has become known for serving African cuisine. Umaru started her entrepreneurial work in 2005 after moving to Irvine. She began with a home-based hair-braiding business and cooked meals for her clients. The demand for her food led her to expand her business.
Her initial 1,200-square-foot salon grew into a 5,000-square-foot braiding salon and beauty supply store on Sky Park Circle, near her restaurant. Lynda’s African Delicacies started as a food truck in 2019. In November 2024, Umaru opened a permanent restaurant location. She plans to expand the space to serve more customers…