WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — According to Pew Research Center, only 3% of businesses in the U.S. are Black-owned. Two local businesses share their stories on the resilience and growth they see as we highlight Black Business Month.
Imani and Fontraz’e Wheaton, owners of Noble Nine Bakery, say it’s a place to belong.
“We are like those kind of kids that were not always included in everything. So we’re kind of making our own crew,” Imani said.
This crew is growing in Wichita, where they have created a place to include everyone.
“We want people to feel that they have a space to go to. And I don’t think there’s enough spaces like that for everybody,” Imani said.
The bakery started as a hobby for the duo and turned into pop-up shops across the city. It is now a brick-and-mortar business. Fontraz’e says he learned baking from his mother.
“Whenever we have free time, we just think about how to make new things and spin this, add some of this, that,” said Fontraz’e.
Fontraz’e says working with his wife is fulfilling and a full-circle moment. They both wish more young Black people would take a chance on themselves and pursue their passions.