One of the best ways to support the Tampa Bay Black community is to shop small. Here is a list of Black-owned restaurants, shops, crafters and more from around the Bay area.
This is a growing list, last updated January 2024. Please email info@tampamagazines.com with additions. Special thanks for research assistance to Green Book of Tampa Bay, a directory of Tampa Bay Black-owned businesses.
Food & Drink
7th and Grove
1930 E. 7th Ave., Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 649-8422
@7thandgrove
7th + Grove is an upscale southern restaurant and lounge in Ybor City. Our elevated southern food menus deliver a fresh authentic taste with a down-home flair.
Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que / Soul Food
2302 E. 7th Ave. Tampa, FL 33605 (Soul Food)
1609 Angel Olivia Sr. St. Tampa, FL 33605 (Bar-B-Que)
(813) 515-5036 (Soul Food) or (813) 956-0675 (Bar-B-Que)
@alssoulfoodtampa
Al’s Tennessee-style barbecue began in 2003 as a concession stand and has since moved up to the beloved Ybor restaurant. The family restaurant has two locations in Ybor: Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que and Al’s Finger Licking Food Soul Food.
Ben and Jerry’s
1106 Gramercy Lane Tampa, FL 33607 (813)-774-6244
409 Mandalay Ave. Clearwater Beach, FL 33767 (727)-335-3708
@benjerrystampa
These two scoop shops are the first Black-owned Ben and Jerry’s franchises in Florida. Owned by a franchisee group comprised of three African-American men, the owners are the first Black men within the ice cream company to own several branches. Both the Midtown and Clearwater Beach locations serve Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia and the brand’s 52 other signature flavors.
Blue Flame Southern Restaurant & Lounge
1524 E. Fowler Ave.
Tampa, FL 33612
(813) 280-9865
This Southern soul food restaurant is dishing out buffet-style pork chops, fried and baked chicken, ribs and oxtails, plus sides like mac and cheese, collard greens and cabbage. Sunday specials include chitlins, Cornish hen and seafood salad. After dark, Blue Flame turns into a lounge and hosts themed parties and musical performances.
Burnz Restaurant Bar & Grill
1704 N. Howard Ave.
Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 964-6093
Burnz Restaurant Bar & Grill is a new restaurant that serves authentic Caribbean, Latin and classic soul food in an elevated setting, as well as craft cocktails. Guests are also able to host events or utilize space for private dining.
COPA
1047 Central Ave.
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
(727) 623-9199
@copa.dtsp
The wine bar is open Wednesday through Sunday for drinks, tapas and hookah. The lounge was designed by brothers and owners Maxim and Sebastion Thuriere to provide an upscale atmosphere while also paying homage to their cultural influences as children.
Flavaz Jamaican Grille
6467 U.S. 301 S.
Riverview, FL 33578
(813) 488-5114
@flavazjamaicangrille
Flavaz Jamaican Grill was opened in 2017 after the owners could not find good, authentic Jamaican food in their area. The restaurant provides savory Jamaican food, including vegetarian options.
Flipn’ Fries Factory
5840 Grand Oro Lane, Unit #102
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
(813) 501-8706
@flipnfries
Flipn’ Fries Factory, Tampa Bay’s first specialty fries restaurant, serves up crispy loaded fries with flavorful toppings such as honey garlic steak and shrimp, spicy jerk chicken, classic buffalo ranch chicken, Bacon cheese, and much more. This unique concept was conceived by husband and wife team, Jamila and Hunt Nicholson, during the turn of the pandemic and after two short months of opening their doors on National French Fry day in 2022, Flipn’ Fries Factory has become one of Tampa Bay’s hottest new restaurants to visit. You can find Flipn’ Fries Factory at the famous Krate in Wesley Chapel, the perfect foodie and entertainment destination to experience.
Heavy’s Food Truck
(727) 914-0632
Heavy’s Food Truck serves soul food across the Tampa Bay area in its restaurant on wheels. The food truck is run by two chefs with a combined 31 years of experience. If you’re looking to try Heavy’s food, make sure to check out their socials for where they’ll be parked next.
Hogg Batch Coffee
2327 Central Ave.
St. Petersburg, FL 33713
(727) 210-5029
@hoggbatch
Hogg Batch Coffee puts a boozy twist on coffee roosting. Each batch of coffee is soaked in a unique kind of alcohol to pick up the unique depth of flavors provided by the liquor. They have coffee beans soaked in whiskey, gin, Jamaican rum and other types of alcohol. Check out their website for more flavors and to order your own coffee.
Island Crew Restaurant and Catering
2210 E. Hillsborough Ave. #2
Tampa, FL 33610
(813) 237-1968
@islandcrewtampa
The owner of Island Crew Restaurant and Catering, Chef Pappy, grew up in the Bahamas, where he learned traditional Caribbean dishes and family recipes. Island Crew’s menu features island cuisine served fresh daily.
Island Flavors and Tings
Gulfport Restaurant and Specialty Groceries
1411 49th St. S.
Gulfport, FL 33707
(727) 804-1849
@islandflavorsandtings
St. Pete Pier (Prepackaged Baked Items Only)
800 2nd Ave NE,
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Island Flavors and Tings is inspired by the flavors of the Caribbean islands and acts as a restaurant, grocery store and catering service. Now, because of COVID-19, Island Flavors and Tings asks that you order ahead for pick up orders. To view their menu, you can visit their website.
The Jerk Hut
Locations in Seminole Heights, South Tampa and USF area
@jerkhut
This Jamaican restaurant is no stranger to Tampa, with three locations in Seminole Heights (its newest), South Tampa and one near USF’s campus. The iconic restaurant specializes in jerk chicken, sweet plantains, oxtail stew, Jamaican beef patties and its fan-favorite rum punch.
Kay’s Kitchen
11124 N. 30th St.
Tampa, FL 33612
(813) 368-5196
@Kays_chicken_kitchen
Kay’s Kitchen is all about Chicago-style cuisines, from fried chicken to catfish. Kay’s Kitchen also features an authentic Chicago-style mild sauce. So if you’re craving the flavors of the Windy City, you can check out the menu here.
Ladies of the Sea
2705 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33610
(813) 247-2722
@ladiesofthesea2705
This family-owned seafood restaurant mixes soul and the sea. Check out their Instagram highlights for their menu and soulful side dishes.
Mama’s Southern Soul Food Restaurant
3701 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33610
(813) 769-9552
@mamas_soul_food_restaurant_2
The restaurant’s two chefs, Reaves and Katrina, focused their menu around decades of family recipes and traditions. They often visit their guests’ tables to make sure they’re loving their dining experience.
M&R Cafe
3320 E. Osborne Ave.
Tampa, FL 33603
(813) 234-2333
The Rumlin family is serving up home-cooked Southern cuisine Friday through Sunday at this walk-up spot in Seminole Heights. Their food is known to sell out, so call ahead or go online to preorder oxtails, meatloaf, garlic herbed baked chicken or their weekly special, plus sides like mac and cheese, collard greens and candied yams.
PattyeCakes
(813) 444-3602
@PattyeCakesLLC
PattyeCakes was created in 2019 by Pattye L. Sawyer after deciding to share her family recipes with St. Petersburg. Sawyer’s menu of baked goods can be found on her website, where you can also order online.
Pop Goes the Waffle
@popgoesthewaffle
This pop-up waffle shop stops all across St. Petersburg. To find out where the food truck will be next, make sure to follow Pop Goes the Waffle’s socials. The innovative waffle shop can even cater your next event.
Ray’s Vegan Soul
953 Central Ave.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 697-7685
@Raysvegansoul
Chef Ray has taken traditional soul food recipes and transformed them into plant-based options. During COVID-19 closures, Ray’s Vegan Soul launched “Soul to Go,” prepackaged meals with new options each week.
Arts, Culture, Fashion & Retail
Accents Styles Boutique
5508 N. 50th St., Suite 30, Tampa, FL 33612
(813) 461-5888
@accentboutique
Accent Styles Boutique is an online boutique that allows each purchase to help to provide a child in Kenya with an education. Each product sold on its website is handpicked and handcrafted from Kenya. To view Accents Styles Boutique’s products and to find out more about how it is helping children in Kenya, visit their store or website.
African Extravaganza
1405 Tampa Park Plaza St., Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 228-7272
@africanextravaganza
African Extravaganza features authentic African clothing, accessories and decorations on its website. You can shop for the entire family because they sell men, women and kids clothing. Check out their selections here.
Founder Sherrel Sampson crafted a one-of-a-kind formulation to calm scalp irritation. A new revolutionary formula, the ScalpBliss™ Collection offers a long-lasting, concentrated itch-calming serum, infused with powerful, natural botanicals including aloe vera, lavender, witch hazel, manuka honey, jojoba and peppermint oil to give your scalp a blissful itch-free feeling. Available in CVS, Sally Beauty and more.
Cultured Books
Pop-up bookstore location: The Well
833 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33712
(727) 328-4822
@culturedbooks
This St. Petersburg-based children’s bookstore has a mission to promote self-love for people of color. The bookstore hosts story times, book clubs and community events. On Sundays, Cultured Books can be found on 22nd St. S. in St. Petersburg, or you can visit their website to purchase books.
Debonair Prints
4011 E. 21st Ave #105, Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 443-0283
@debonairprints
This screen printing shop located in Tampa, near Ybor, works with its clients one-on-one to create something unique. Debonair Prints prints for events, business and local creatives looking to get their ideas out there.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum
2240 9th Ave. S., St. Petersburg, FL 33712
(727) 323-1104
@WoodsonMuseum
The mission of this museum is to teach and preserve African American history to a diverse audience through museum activities. The African American history of St. Petersburg is a constant and central focus of the museum, but the museum also features different exhibits focused on African American history.
Every Dollar Countz LLC
Tampa, FL
(910) 358-0815
@wegonnalearntoday
Matthew D. Hale, the author of Black Historical Figures, is a retired U.S. Marine and disabled veteran. He received his bachelor of arts in computer science from Campbell University and his master of science in computer engineering from Boston University. Hale spends his down time making music, traveling, playing, and developing his own video games. In 2020 he developed an interactive website to provide access to Black History through games, music and videos. The website grew into the Black Historical Figures workbook series to supplement the black history curriculum taught in schools.
Everything Ariel Boucor
13542 N Florida Ave., Suite 214, Tampa, FL 33613
(813) 498-8036
@eaf813_
Everything Ariel Boucor has an assortment of women’s clothing, shoes and accessories. In addition, the boutique also offers a selection of home decor that includes wall art, canvases and more.
KYVintage Apparel Store
1101 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 995-4659
@ky.vintage
Kyle Middleton owner of KYVintage, sells and thrifts vintage clothing in his downtown shop, including sports jerseys, coats and more. Check out Ky’s Gems to see the most exclusive items currently for sale.
Tampa-based founder Diandra N. Harvin launched her luxury loungewear brand in October 2021. Noite Rose offers dresses, rompers and sets, ranging from $80-$160 offered in sizes Small to 2XL made from fabrics that are sourced in the USA and feel like butter on the skin.
Posh Wicks
@Posh_wicks
Owners Christa Ezell & Taiba Terrell launched their Luxury, non- toxic, Coconut Soy Wax candle Company November 2023. Each candle is hand poured in small batches with high quality ingredients. We strongly focus on natural, clean, and sustainable products.
Timari Candle Collection
(813) 803-0714
@timaricandleco
Timari Candle Collection is an all-natural Tampa-based home fragrance company that is committed to bringing non-toxic fragrances into your home. Their products are made in small batches to ensure that each home receives a quality product. Lots of care and attention to detail is given to each and every product.
Xplore Possibilities, LLC
(813) 720-7386
Rewa Chisholm is a Tampa native and started Xplore Possibilities, LLC in November 2017. She creates handcrafted canvas word art. “Allow the word of God to settle in your spirit as you speak a single word,” she says.
Health & Beauty
Blue Hibiscus Organics
@blue.hibiscus.organics
Blue Hibiscus specializes in handmade, plant based, natural soap and body products. All products are all natural, cruelty free and plant based.
Caribbean Mystique Spa
8608 Hunters Village Road
Tampa, FL 33647
(813) 991-7390
@CaribbeanMystiqueSpa
The island-inspired spa has been helping people go on a tropical getaway without leaving Tampa since 2013. Led by owner Andrea Nash, Caribbean Mystique offers massages, facials and skin care, waxing and sugaring, and body wraps and scrubs. Select a spa package for a mini-vacation, or ask about the Invest in Your Health membership program for special pricing on services.
Central Station Barbershop and Groomer
2325 Central Ave.
St. Petersburg FL, 33713
(727) 317-3701
@centralstationbarbershop1
Led by master barber Antonio Brown, Central Station Barbershop & Grooming provides clients with high-class haircuts, exceptional service and a great experience.
CurlyCoilyTresses
813-575-2249
@curlycoilytresses_
This Tampa-based natural hair care brand nurtures the hair and scalp and delivers lasting moisture and hydration to help curls look their best. The treatments, moisturizers and serums are available in sets or singles and come with a satisfaction guarantee.
Ignite Fitness Studio
13144 N. Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, FL 33618
(813) 252-5333
Ignite is an upscale boutique studio in the heart of Carrollwood offering fitness classes for every fitness level. It offers an upscale experience with the perfect balance of luxury and relaxation to help you reach your goals.
Locs of Wisdom
4939 E 7th Ave.
Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 284-6908
@locs_of_wisdom_
This full-service hair salon focuses on keeping its clients’ hair and scalp healthy. The salon offers cuts for all hair types and the entire family, offering children’s haircuts.
My Shade & Texture
4202 E Busch Blvd., Unit 1
Tampa, FL 33617
(813) 984-4569
My Shade and Texture describes itself as a “beauty bar for naturalistas.” The goal of this store is to offer affordable and attainable products to all women. The store’s Beauty Curators are there to assist anyone in finding the best products for a person’s color and texture. You can order products online or choose curbside pick-up.
Pink Butterfly Bush Steam Lounge
1025 Professional Park Dr., Suite 2
Brandon, FL 33511
(813) 461-4107
@PinkButterflyBush
Tampa-based Feminine Wellness Lounge offering Yoni Steam Services, products, certification and retreats. Each product used in their treatments are organic and catered to each individual’s needs. To find out more about their services, you can visit their website.
Pure With Love
(301) 281-1386
@Pure With Love
After noticing many store-bought soaps weren’t made with wholesome ingredients, Jasmine Elhaddad created Pure With Love. Now she’s making natural and handmade soaps, bath products, moisturizers, cosmetics, skincare and more. For now, order via her site; Pure With Love will open a retail location later this year.
Renewed Vision Wellness Center
(850) 368-3054
Renewed Vision Wellness Center offers virtual life coaching and holistic wellness services, operating from Tampa Bay and Texas since 2021. Services include individual life coaching sessions, as well as workshops geared toward family resiliency, specializing in children and teen issues that address emotion regulation, cognitive distortions, self image and esteem challenges, nonviolent communication; a relationship preparedness program; and a caregiver support program with health and wellness management strategies.
Salon Brazyl
5320 Ehrlich Rd,
Tampa, FL 33624
(813) 789-0960
@tishlovestexture
Founded in 2006 by Tish Hankerson, Salon Brazyl caters to clients with curly/textured hair, addressing the integrity of hair first and foremost. The salon offers specialty services like the Wash and Go Experience for healthy defined curls, as well as cuts and color services formulated by Hankerson.
Slammer Tennis World
21100 Fountain Garden Rd,
Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638
(866) 423-8343
Slammer Tennis World is a family-owned business that was started by Marvin Tyler with a mission to enrich the lives of members of the community through the sport of tennis. It offers classes for all age groups from kids to juniors to adults with the goal of teaching the community about tennis and living a healthy life.
Slarutan Cosmetic Laboratory, LLC
6201 Johns Rd., Ste. 1,
Tampa, FL
(813) 999-8020
Under the leadership of owner and CEO Thomas Faucette, Jr., this cosmetic manufacturer can produce, create and re-engineer cosmetic product formulations. It also does private label with low minimum order quantity.
Services
America’s Most Reliable Movers
2300 4th Ave. S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Pinellas: 727-434-2278 | Hillsborough: 813-293-MOVE (6683)
@americasmostreliablemovers
This moving company can help you with any space, be it your office or home. They offer moving services in the Tampa Bay area and will help you move across Florida. For more information on their services, check out their website.
Bay Riders Water Sports
9024 W. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, Fl 33615
(813) 557-2291
@bayriderswatersports
Bay Riders Water Sports is a family-friendly experience, new to the Tampa Bay and Town ‘N’ Country area. It offers a variety of licensed and insured watercraft, including jet ski tours, boat rentals, kayaks, private event hosting and more. Bay Riders also has food trucks providing a variety of cuisines onsite.
Bricks & Bubbles
(813) 419-3979
Cleanliness has never been more important. Sara and Shane Jones run this full-service janitorial company, which offers all kinds of custodial services, floor care, special event services and COVID-19 disinfecting.
Bee Sure Heating & Cooling
5668 Fishhawk Crossing Blvd. #328
Lithia, FL 33547
(813) 423-0084
Tiffany and OJ Mitchell keep Tampa Bay homes and businesses cool. They service residential and commercial A/C systems, coolers, ductwork systems, repairs, installations and new construction.
Coleman Intellect
5333 Baywater Dr.
Tampa, FL 33615
(870) 210-9541
@colemanintellect
Coleman Intellect is a digital marketing and creative agency that helps tell the visual story of organizations’ diverse dreams. The Black-owned, Tampa-based organization is dedicated to making a difference through innovative content that addresses the complex social world around us.
Concierge Healthcare Training Services & Consultants
206 Oakfield Dr,
Brandon, FL 33511
(813) 856-5104
Concierge Healthcare Training Services & Consultants provides health and safety trainings to multiple industries, individuals and families and raises awareness on heart health education and the importance of knowing CPR in minority communities. It has a location in Brandon and also provide mobile services.
Creative Kidz Learning Academy Preschool
6130 Florence St.
Gibsonton, FL 33534
(813) 677-1300
This preschool is located in Gibsonton and would be perfect parents looking for childcare in the Riverview area. To find out more information on their childcare services, you can call the preschool at (813) 677-1300.
CWworks
812-214-5726
Created by Michael Wiggs and Cecil Coleman, CWworks is here to provide all your cleaning and janitorial needs. They strive to make their customers happy. If you’re not happy, they’re not happy. They are a certified, licensed, and insured cleaning company and would love the opportunity to discuss being your dedicated cleaning provider. They currently offer commercial, residential and disinfecting services.
Epic Sleepover
Serving the Tampa Bay area
(813) 906-9940
Inspired by ultimate sleepovers across the world, Epic Sleepover’s Sleepover Specialists will help you choose a theme, deliver and style the tents (indoors or outdoors), and remove the tents the next day. They provide a range of themes for boys and girls limited only by your imagination. They’ll help you plan your next birthday party, sleepover party, movie night or any occasion.
Hair Only Here
(813) 284-8880
support@haironlyhere.com
Hair Only Here is an online directory that is based out of Tampa, offering free business listings to hair professionals and vendors of hair products. Visitors to the site can search for hair salons, barber shops, hair treatments and hair care products, bridal hair accessories and pet hair grooming services in their local area. The purpose of this directory is to provide an efficient and convenient way to locate anything that relates to hair. You will therefore find this directory to be a one-stop shop for everything about hair.
Ithra Tech Support
13361 N. 56th St., Suite 004
Tampa, FL 33617
(813) 540-1077
Ithra Tech Support provides IT services to small- and medium-sized businesses across many key industries, such as nonprofit, law, finance, general contractors and others. If you are looking for high-quality and efficient IT services that will help streamline your business processes, then Ithra Tech Support could be a great partner for your business. Its services also include unlimited help desk support and cyber security protection and training.
Kingdom Seminars
(678) 926-8713
Kingdom Seminars is a business specializing in a number of coaching services. These services include finances, human services, mental health and more. To read about all of their services check out their Facebook page.
Love Logan Productions
3812 W. Linebaugh Ave., Ste. 216
Tampa, FL 33618
(973) 626-9720
@loveloganpr
Love Logan is a celebrity and entertainment publicist with 15 years of experience working at Bad Boy Entertainment, Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and ABC-NBC. She recently opened her doors in Tampa Bay and is open to new clients.
New Tampa Party Rentals
Venue Location:
3919 N Highland Ave
Tampa, FL 33603
(813) 755-0696
NewTampaPartyRentals@gmail.com
New Tampa Party Rentals rents party equipment to help you create amazing, memorable events that won’t cost you a fortune. They rent tables, chairs, tents and more. Check their website for a complete list of items.
NFM Lending
3325 W Bearss Ave., Tampa, FL 33618
(813) 867-7232
With Anna Ferjuste and NFM Lending, you can be confident that your transaction will start with getting to know your financial situation to determine the loan that best meets your current and future needs. Ferjuste is dedicated to streamlining the loan process in order to shorten the time from loan application to closing without sacrificing service or quality.
Spartan Group Realty
3104 N. Armenia Ave., Suite 2
Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 321-9149
Owned and founded by Army veteran Renee Thompson, Spartan Group Realty focuses on residential and commercial real estate around Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Thompson and her team are passionate about giving back to members of the U.S. military and their families, as well as teachers, healthcare workers and first responders. They are highly experienced in military relocation.
The Gardener Landscaping
(813) 695-2562
The Gardener Landscaping started with a simple vision: to turn a passion for tropical plants and nature into a company serving the outdoor needs of the residents and business of the Greater Tampa Bay Area. Over 25 years later, it continues to focus on this basic mission as it creates beautiful, sustainable and robust South Florida landscapes while building friendships with so many across the Tampa Bay community.
Charities & Nonprofits
Deuces Live St. Pete
833 22nd Street South, Ste.
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
(727) 433-8237
@deuceslivestpetemainstreet
Deuces Live is a nonprofit organization created with the goal of revitalizing South St. Petersburg’s historic 22nd Street. The street, nicknamed “The Deuces,” is a a hub of African American life in the city, and Deuces Live St. Pete is meant to encourage its prosperity and continued growth. To find out more about its mission and its initiatives, check out Deuces Live St. Pete’s website.
The Make It Out Foundation
P.O. Box 530133
St. Petersburg, FL 33747
(727) 275-0358
@themakeitoutfoundation
The Make It Out Foundation is intended to help incoming freshmen, graduate students and transfer students hailing from St. Petersburg who are pursuing higher education at Florida A&M University. The foundation provides a scholarship, dorm essentials, education, mentorship and more. If you’d like to find out more, click here.
Pinellas County Urban League
333 31st St. N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33713
(727) 327-2081
The Pinellas County Urban League serves all 24 Pinellas county municipalities. Its goals are to encourage economic development, encourage education, provide housing and healthcare. To learn more about Pinellas County Urban League’s initiatives and work, you can visit their website.
St. Pete Strong
@iamstpetestrong
This nonprofit organization is sponsored by the Dreamfaith Foundation, which is a 501c3 nonprofit meant to empower families in under-served areas. St. Pete Strong celebrates and recognizes St. Petersburg natives who have excelled in their communities and jobs. The money raised for St. Pete Strong goes toward scholarships, educational workshops and the expansion of Dreamfaith Youth Conferences. To learn more about the organization, you can click here.
The Stompdown
19046 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., #144
Tampa, FL 33647
(813) 400-3078
@thestompdown
The Stompdown is a nonprofit organization specializing in signature events, such as The Stompdown, the nation’s largest step show. The Stompdown also focuses on community-based initiatives, such as back-to-school giveaways, youth empowerment workshops and community service. The Stompdown always welcomes new collaborations and partnership opportunities.
Young Kings and Queens College Prep & Mentoring
(727) 804-6289
@youngkingsandqueensinc
Young Kings and Queens College Prep & Mentoring provides mentoring to African American youth. The goal is to help encourage kids to pursue secondary education and to explore their post-high school graduation options. To find out more about their mission, you can visit their website.
Sources: Green Book of Tampa Bay, @ava.gray, @hollyeasters
