Black September Campaign Celebrates Local Restaurants

HAMPTON ROADS

The Hampton Roads Greenbook® (HRG) is promoting Black September, a month-long campaign designed to celebrate American entrepreneurship, local pride, and community unity through the support of small businesses across Hampton Roads.

The campaign highlights three restaurants in each Hampton Roads city, hand-selected by HRG founder Seko Varner, as examples of local excellence in business ownership and service. Residents are encouraged to patronize these restaurants, share their experiences, and leave feedback through the Hampton Roads Greenbook app or website.

“Black September is a celebration of American exceptionalism at the local level,” said Varner. “When we dine at neighborhood restaurants, we aren’t just enjoying a meal – we’re supporting the small business owners who embody the American dream of opportunity, resilience, and innovation. This campaign invites everyone in Hampton Roads to come together, break bread, and strengthen the bonds that unite us.”

Featured Restaurants by City

• Chesapeake: Cutlass Grill, Toastique, Kookies Cakes and Shakes
• Norfolk: Major Phillie Cheesesteaks, Brothers’ Restaurant, 350 Grace
• Virginia Beach: Bilu’s Colombian, Ibis Cuisine, Happy Cafe
• Portsmouth: Beyond Vegan Cell Food, Yaad Vybz Bikkle, Victory River Bistro
• Williamsburg: Tipsy Bean Cafe, Hibachi Buddha, Juicing Life Bar
• Newport News: Vegan Kartel, De Rican Chef, Mystic Jamaica
• Hampton: George Restaurant, Coaster’s Beach Grill, Mango Mangeaux
• Suffolk: Renee’s Restaurant, Sugar Mama’s Bake Shop, A Taste of Everything

One spotlight is Mango Mangeaux in Hampton, which has announced plans to close in January 2026. “It’s a reminder that our local treasures deserve our support now,” Varner noted.

“This campaign is about removing division and celebrating what unites us: family, food, and community pride,” Varner said. “When local businesses thrive, our schools, neighborhoods, and cities thrive too. That’s the essence of American exceptionalism.”

About the Hampton Roads Greenbook®

The Hampton Roads Greenbook® is a digital ecosystem featuring more than 2,000 businesses, professionals, and organizations. Its mission is to increase resource circulation and promote community prosperity by connecting citizens with local enterprises. Free to all Hampton Roads businesses, the platform combines technology and community-building to strengthen the region’s economic and cultural fabric.