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Meet Mario Mack, a 12-year-old African-American boy from Fairfield, Alabama, who is the young entrepreneur behind J’s Pop-Up Shaved Ice. Starting when he was just 10 years old, he embarked on a journey to bring his business vision to life, all while keeping up with his studies.

From its start, Mario was driven to succeed like his mom, who inspired his independent spirit and paved the way for him.

“She really liked to work for herself, and I saw that, like, early on when she started and I thought it was really cool,” Mario told CBS42. “So, I wanted to do my own thing and start a food truck.”

Fast forward two years, and he bought his first trailer. Now, he’s on a mission to expand and level up his business by investing in a larger one. This ambitious young entrepreneur is saving up for that big step.

Urban Impact Birmingham, an organization helping new business minds like Mario’s, plays a role in his journey. Its program manager Courtney Craig said they are passionate about providing opportunities to all entrepreneurs. From programs to capital access, they’re dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship in the community, especially young entrepreneurs which has been increasing lately.

“It’s necessary. We need to have a wraparound approach in our community when we’re serving entrepreneurs and we need our kids to have something productive,” Courtney said.

For Mario, his business isn’t just a side hustle — it’s his passion. Despite his tender age, he’s living out his entrepreneurial dreams. And he already has his future plans set out, saying, “I want to own my own restaurant and I want to be able to cook.”

But Mario’s dreams aren’t just his own; he wants to inspire fellow young minds. He firmly believes that with determination, anything’s possible. He’s an example of turning passion into reality.

Moreover, balancing school during the week and running his business on weekends, Mario makes the most of his time. He’s also a kind-hearted soul, often setting up shop at local parks in Birmingham. There, he treats the homeless to free shaved ice at least once a month.

Be sure to follow J’s Pop-Up Shaved Ice on its official Facebook page.

Tiara Darnell, an African American female entrepreneur from Washington, DC, has brought a taste of home to Mexico City with the opening of Blaxicocina, the first and only successful soul food restaurant in the country’s capital city of more than 16 million residents. With a culinary journey that spans cultures and generations, Tiara’s flavorful creations are finding a warm embrace among both Black Americans and curious locals.

When Tiara first arrived in Mexico City in 2021, she says that she quickly realized that her beloved Old Bay seasoning wasn’t as common in the area as it was in her hometown in Maryland. She said it sparked the idea of opening Blaxicocina using recipes handed down by generations, according to DCist.

To bring the flavors of home to Blaxicocina, she relied on a surprising source: her mother. She brought her bulk-sized containers from Restaurant Depot, meeting her need for Old Bay seasoned fries, among others. What’s more, the restaurant also offers other dishes that embody the heart of soul food like fried chicken, cornbread, carrot cake, and sweet tea.

However, crafting authentic soul food in Mexico posed unique challenges. Ingredients crucial for traditional recipes were hard to find. The cornmeal for her cornbread and the coating for fried green tomatoes had to be painstakingly crafted from scratch, the Mexican way. Collaborating with local farmers, she even sparked the growth of collard greens, a soul food staple not commonly found in Mexico.

Blaxicocina transcends its role as a restaurant; it’s a hub for a growing community of Black Americans who’ve chosen Mexico City as their new home. The restaurant even has ties to a “Blaxit” movement — a departure from the U.S. in search of a better life abroad. For Tiara, the decision was driven by a desire for a higher quality of life and escape from systemic racism.

Tiara’s inclusive approach extends beyond her menu. She’s striving to integrate with the local community, working with Mexican vendors, staff, and contractors. Her aim is to enrich the community rather than exploit it, fostering cultural exchange and mutual respect.

“Mexico City definitely feels like home. I have a really great community around me. I have friends that are family at this point, and I just feel really connected here, culturally, socially, in a way that I just didn’t in the U.S,” she said.

Be sure to follow Tiara and her restaurant on Instagram @Blaxicocina

Also, you can support the business by going to its location at Caleta 554, Narvarte Poniente, Benito Juárez, 03023 Ciudad de México, CDMX.