When millions of small businesses were forced to close due to COVID-19, we took action in a big way. In just 5 weeks, we created Small Business Live, a one-day musical experience to raise money for the small businesses hit hardest by COVID-19, with a focus on those run by women and people of color.
Artists like Ms. Lauryn Hill, 2 Chainz, Brittany Howard and Leon Bridges delivered unforgettable performances from unique locations, and others joined to share stories from the businesses they know and love.
The result? $1MM in donations for the Accion Opportunity Fund, 9.7MM live stream viewers, and most importantly, an outpouring of love and support for the small businesses that need us most.
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Featured artists
HOSTED BY DJ Jazzy Jeff & Naomi Ekperigin
with Taylor Cassidy
Small BusinessES
2 Chainz + K&K Soul Food Atlanta, GA
“We are a family owned and operated restaurant that has been servicing the Atlanta community since 1968. We are happy to continue to provide a taste of southern soul in which every bite is served with love. We want to continue to be the preferred choice of our patrons looking for a home cooked meal.”
– Kimario Smith, owner & operator
Allen Stone + Terrain Spokane, WA
Dedicated to ensuring local artists thrive, From Here features the work of over 70 creative businesses. From painters to poets, metalsmiths to woodworkers, printmakers and more, the shop is a showcase of what Spokane creatives have to offer. A program of arts nonprofit Terrain, we believe art and creativity have the power to transform Spokane into a stronger, more economically diverse, just, and vibrant city.
Bam Marley + Sneaker Buyers Miami, FL
Brandi Carlile + Easy Street Records Seattle, WA
Easy Street opened in 1987 in West Seattle. Seattle was on the verge of a music revolution and at the epicenter of Gen X / slacker lifestyle. Easy Street’s owner, Matt Vaughan was only 19 years old at the time and a peer and friend to many of the bands and record labels that were coming up. Easy Street has been a cultural hub. Known for its support of local talent, but also for helping to break international acts out of Seattle. Their used vinyl collection is world class. Easy Street has certainly struggled during the COVID pandemic. Artists such as Eddie Vedder have donated some of their CD and record collections back to the store and Easy Street was the first record store to start doing deliveries. To date, during COVID, Easy Street has completed over 800 personal deliveries throughout Seattle. They have beefed up their website and shipped music all over the world. Curbside, take out, To-Go, they’ve done it all. If you’d like to donate directly to Easy Street: PayPal — andy@easystreetonline.com
Brittany Howard + Fanny's House of Music Nashville, TN
Fanny’s House of Music is a full service musical instrument store with new, used and vintage gear, lessons, repair, as well as vintage clothing! Owned and operated by women and named after the all-female band Fanny, our mission is to provide a store that is comfortable for ALL, especially women, children and beginners. Future Fanny’s SCHOOL of Music will expand our lesson program, offer music therapy and supply a space for the community.
Chicano Batman + Espacio 1839 Los Angeles, CA
iLe + Baraka Coffee San Juan, PR
Baraka Coffee is a Micro Coffee Roastery established in 2014 by two lifelong friends in Puerto Rico. Because Puerto Rico is a coffee producing country, we are obliged to roast only local coffee. We work directly with the best local coffee producers and pay fair prices to create a sustainable economic chain that everyone can benefit from and ultimately ending up with an amazing cup of coffee.
DJ Jazzy Jeff + Out of the Ordinary Catering Middletown, DE
JUFU + Envirobliss Brooklyn, NY
EnviroBliss is a company whose mission is to help our community and clients by becoming aware of environmental problems that affect their homes, offices, and workplaces that in turn will negatively affect their holistic well being. Our goal translates from making awareness into something positive by correcting such problems. We are one of the pioneer companies in the mold remediation industry to incorporate glycerine-based fogging methods to remove suspended inflammatory micro-particles. We are specialized in fine cleaning for health concerned individuals. We are also trained to install commercial air cleaner and ventilation systems. Our outside laboratories are fully recognized, accredited, and also state-certified. Since 2007 EnviroBliss has been engaged and successfully completed thousands of indoor environmental evaluations and decontamination projects. We are pleased to provide references upon request.
Leon Bridges + Avoca Coffee Fort Worth, TX
Avoca Coffee Roasters is an artisanal coffee provider with two cafes located in Fort Worth, Texas. Credited as being the pioneer in Specialty Coffee of Fort Worth, Avoca Coffee opened its doors 2011 and has since focused on sourcing coffee beans via direct and fair trade. As with many businesses, COVID-19 significantly impacted Avoca Coffee. Prior to the pandemic, our business thrived on creating a space for our community to connect, create, dream and build within our cafes. We strive to elevate the everyday ritual of drinking coffee while bringing friends, colleagues and collaborators together and we are determined to continue this commitment – even while standing six feet apart.
Luke James + Meals from the Heart Cafe New Orleans, LA
Meals From The Heart Cafe was founded in 2006, in Chef Doucette’s home kitchen. This little “gem,” is a major tourist destination – located at the Historic French Quarter’s Farmers Market. Meals’ mission is to offer and to prepare foods that are lower in sodium, lower in refined sugars, no trans-fats and no GMO’s. We do not serve pork or beef. While we are not solidly vegan, our menu is significantly vegan and gluten-free. Our signature menu includes blue crab cakes, okra gumbos, and pancakes. All of these have a vegan and gluten-free option.
Moon Taxi + Grimey's Records Nashville, TN
Grimey’s New & Preloved Music was founded in 1999 and serves Nashville’s music community by offering a wide selection of new and preloved records and CDs, as well as select tapes, books and movies. The store carries a ton of local and independent releases in addition to beloved classic albums. Grimey’s is also known for hosting really fun in-store performances and events with local and national artists.
MXMTOON + Hella Tea Oakland, CA
Hella Tea is the brainchild of Oakland native, Chantrelle Edwards. Her love of tea, coupled with her passion for Oakland, and a deep appreciation of hip-hop culture, inspired her to bring this vision to life. Hella Tea endeavors to offer an international product, with a unique Bay Area twist.
Nathaniel Rateliff + Mercury Cafe Denver, CO
The Mercury Cafe is powered by the Wind and the Sun. We serve Local, Organic Food, and Community is our purpose. This exploration of food, the arts, politics and community that surround food began on the Ides of March, 1975 in Indian Hills, Colorado. After several incarnations in Denver, we settled here in the center of town in 1990, opening on Halloween. We serve locally-sourced vegetables, fruits, grains, meat, fish and bar selections, augmented with fair trade imports. Ours is an organic menu with meat/fish, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free choices. We treasure our local farmers, ranchers, vintners and distilleries.
T-Pain + Knotzland Pittsburgh, PA
Knotzland is a sustainable brand that specializes in making small batch wares using reclaimed fabrics and materials, reusing them to prevent them from further polluting landfills. All of our products are made in Pittsburgh, PA providing flexible work from home economic opportunities to our community.
Brother Moto Atlanta, GA
Brother Moto is a community based D.I.Y Garage, coffee shop, and lifestyle goods brand in Atlanta GA. Our goal is to allow people of all skill levels and interest to have the ability to work on their own bikes with the right tools and support. We encourage the general public and “moto-curious” to come into our space and for us to remain inclusive and open to the public.
During the Covid 19 pandemic we had to delay our re-location, selling off most of our equipment, pivoting to online sales and slimming our staff down from 12 to 2 employees until we can lock down the next location and re-open. As a company that is built off of community and gatherings it has been heartbreaking not to have our doors open.
CAMERA READY KUTZ Brooklyn, NY
Camera Ready Kutz, Inc. is a barbershop geared towards, but not exclusive to, the LGBTQIA+ community. CRKutz provides a Brave Space where people of all sexual orientations and gender expressions can comfortably get groomed without fear of their personal safety.
The Dripping Root Minneapolis, MN
The Dripping Root is a black woman owned, up and coming cold pressed juice bar located in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The goal is to break the lines between health, wellness & culture & to build in solidarity with those in the community.
Dynasty Typewriter Los Angeles, CA
Since opening in 2018, Dynasty Typewriter has quickly established itself as one of LA’s premier destinations for highly curated entertainment including comedy, music, live podcasts, screenings, and immersive experiences. Named “LA’s comedy clubhouse” by The NY Times, and “LA’s best alt-comedy venue” by LA Weekly, Dynasty prides itself on creating inclusive, enchanting, connective experiences for artists and audiences alike.
Montclair Brewery Montclair, NJ
Montclair Brewery is a husband and wife owned microbrewery and tasting room, featuring original, local-inspired, and culturally intriguing beers. Craft beer devotees and those new to craft beer can enjoy Montclair Brewery fresh brews in their outside beer garden or at home by ordering online for pick up or delivery. A curated selection of their beers can also be found at several New Jersey bars and restaurants.
Real Gymm Keyport, NJ
Studiiyo23 Minneapolis, MN
Studiiyo23. A fusion of ideas: Fashion, Music, Art, Culture, and Sneakers. A place where diverse cultures mix and re-define the boundaries of the traditional retail experience. Founded in 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Studiiyo23 is the State’s premier sneaker and apparel boutique combined with an Art Gallery catering to and supporting the community’s wealth of talent.