One app is making it easy to support BIPOC—and enjoy a great meal in the process. It's called EatOkra, and it shows users where they can find Black-owned restaurants near them, no matter where they are.
According to its website, EatOkra’s mission “is to provide a food-themed directory that encourages fellowship through one specific avenue, black food.”
Co-founded by New York couple Anthony Edwards Jr and Janique Bradley, the app is available on both Android and iOS devices. Originally launched in 2016, the program now spans over 30 U.S. cities and includes more than 1,200 restaurants.
“We could look at articles and blogs, but no app did all of that for me and let me press a button to take me there,” Edwards said in a statement, according to the Washington City Paper. “There had been a lot of talk in 2016 that was heavily racial-related. We wanted to do something to help Black people.”
Here’s how it works: The app—which is completely free to download and use—takes your location and provides a list of restaurants in your area. The results are also sorted into categories including breakfast, local eats, Caribbean cuisine and more.
Most of the entries came in via word of mouth. "People are submitting restaurants to us within the app or direct messaging us on social media. Any way they can tell us,” Edwards said. Users can even add a restaurant and rate them via the app.
An app that supports the Black community and points us in the direction of delicious food? Now that’s an idea we can get behind.
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