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Black Business Month
Did you know that black-owned businesses account for about 10% of all U.S. businesses and about 30% of all minority-owned businesses?
August is National Black Business Month! Help us celebrate by recognizing black-owned businesses in our community.
If you are interested in being a part of our Black Business Month business spotlight program, please fill out our online form.
Calvert Digestive Disease Associates Endoscopy and Surgery Center LLC
Owners: Drs Dolores Rhodes-Height, MD and Y. Renee Bright, MD
985 Prince Frederick Blvd, Prince Frederick
Dr. Rhodes-Height and Dr. Bright own Calvert County's first doctor-owned endoscopy center. Calvert Digestive Disease Associates (CCDA) offers care that is personal, innovative, and financially mindful.
Dr. Bright and Dr. Rhodes-Height met over 20 years ago while serving in the US Navy. Both are board certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology and have they been in practice together since 2011 as Gastroenterologists in Calvert County. They have a fun, energetic friendship that is infectious to staff and patients at CDDA.
Calvert Digestive Disease Associates Endoscopy and Surgery Center LLC Website
Calvert Dog Academy
Owner: Elizabeth Ashley
Meet Elizabeth Ashley, owner of Calvert Dog Academy. Elizabeth is also one of the three dog trainers providing instruction and training to clients across Calvert County and Washington, DC.
Calvert Dog Academy provides on-site and in-home dog training using fear-free training techniques. Foster dogs, puppies, and dogs of all ages and temperaments are welcome.
Chesapeake Windsail Cruises
Owner: Nate Pope
4160 Mears Ave, Dock A, Slip 15, Chesapeake Beach
Meet Nate Pope, owner of Chesapeake Windsail Cruises. Founded in 2018, Chesapeake Windsail Cruises specializes in daily public and private sailing cruises around the Bay and guided walking tours through North Beach.
Nate seeks to combine fine food, entertainment, and the beauty of the bay on his vessel Eternal Hope
Dillon's Power Washing
Owner: Keith Gross
120 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick
Meet Keith Gross, owner of Dillon’s Power Washing.
Born and raised in Calvert County, Keith grew up in Lusby with his four brothers and one twin sister. After graduating high school, he followed his passion for food by working at the Lighthouse Inn in Solomons for ten years. In 2001, Keith learned pressure washing from his late brother-in-law Jason Dillon, and they worked together until 2003.
Keith has a passion for being a business owner. He also owns JASZ Chicken and Waffles in Washington, D.C. Keith enjoys reading and listening to books that teach leadership, financial growth and self-improvement.
Dunkirk Sports Zone
Owner: Derrick Minor
Meet Derrick Minor, owner of Dunkirk Sports Zone.
Derrick is a dedicated member of the community who is committed to uplifting local athletic clubs and teams. Dunkirk Sports Zone is a homegrown business specializing in top-quality athletic gear and equipment.
Dunkirk Sports Zone offers a comprehensive range of products, including uniforms, cleats, specialty sport-specific equipment, sportswear and essential items like mouthguards and socks, all vital for success on the field. “In the Zone” – that's where you'll be when you join hands with Dunkirk Sports Zone.
Elon Roshell Day Spa & Health
Owner: Elambert Richardson
230 West Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick
Meet Elambert Richardson, owner of Elon Roshell Day Spa & Health.
Elambert started as a massage therapist in 2003, carrying her table from events and private homes and filling in as needed at a spa in Solomons. She eventually began renting her own space in 2005 inside another small business and working for the local hospital’s wellness center as needed. She expanded into renting space out of the former World Gym in 2007 and, shortly after that, in 2009, opened in her current location in Prince Frederick.
After 20 years of massage therapy and limited skin care, Elambert continues to expand her business to reach the needs of the community. At Elon Roshell Day Spa & Health, they are concerned with overall health-related issues, focusing on healing naturally and providing a place to relax and restore. Dry Salt Therapy is their newest addition, and they plan to have visiting therapist that will offer events related to natural health and wellness.
Just Cutts Lawns, LLC.
Owner: Tallis R. Ford
Meet Tallis R. Ford, owner of Just Cutts Lawns, LLC. Originally from Washington, DC., Tallis graduated from Bowie State University, majoring in Business Administration. After meeting his wife Crystal, they moved to Calvert County, where they live with their four children.
Tallis started Just Cutts Lawns, LLC as a way to build generational wealth and provide quality lawn service to customers. Just Cutts Lawns, LLC is a certified and licensed minority-owned company. Just Cutts Lawns, LLC provides services such as mowing, trimming, edging, pruning, seeding, aeration, snow removal and fertilization.
Kelly's Kickin' Cuisine
Owner: Kelly Brown
Kelly Brown delivers as the owner of Kelly’s Kickin’ Cuisine. Located in Prince Frederick, Kelly offers dishes piled high of fried shrimp, chicken wings and other soul food entrees.
Kelly also offers macaroni and cheese, green beans, and other sides and sandwiches at her food stand.
Kid's Campus Early Learning Center, Inc.
Owner: Yomi Badmus-Mumuni
3185 W Ward Road, Suite 201, Dunkirk
Meet Yomi Badmus-Mumuni, owner of Kid’s Campus, an early learning center based in Dunkirk. Yomi has always had a passion for childcare and her interest in early childhood education led her to open a daycare center at her home. After several years of in-house operations, she jumped at the opportunity to purchase what is today’s Kid’s Campus.
Kid’s Campus focuses on giving young children a head-start in literacy and math skills, socialization, physical movement and other life lessons in a preschool setting.
Loving Arms Childcare Center
Owner: Crystal Ford
700 Yardley Drive, Prince Frederick
Meet Crystal Ford, owner and operator of Loving Arms Childcare Center.
Founded in 2017, Loving Arms Childcare Center in Prince Frederick is proud to provide quality care for more the 40 families in Calvert County. In August, Crystal will be opening her second childcare business called Young Kings and Queens Before and After Care, which is currently accepting registration. Interested parents can contact them directly at 443-917-8251.
Crystal is also the proud owner of Ella’s Whimsy Clothing Boutique, which opened on November 19, 2022, and Bright Beginners Publishing.
Loving Care Senior Services
Owner: Lisa Height-Gross
288 Merrimac Court, Prince Frederick
Meet Lisa Height-Gross, owner of Loving Care Senior Services. Loving Care Senior Services is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit residential service agency licensed through the Maryland Department of Health. They offer ideal solutions for children, adults and seniors who need assistance with daily activities such as routine personal care, laundry, mobility assistance, and other services that encourage continued independence.
Mel's Boutique Salon
Owner: Mel Lamina
10379 Southern Maryland Blvd, Dunkirk
Meet Mel Lamina, owner of Mel’s Boutique Salon. With over 15 years of experience in the hair industry, Mel opened her salon in 2021. She has a passion for beauty, education, laughter and transforming her guests from the inside out.
My Mustard Seed
Owner: Tresor Thomas
Meet My Mustard Seed owner, Tresor Thomas. Tresor created My Mustard Seed, a company focused on organic, non-GMO microgreens to inspire communities to take control of wellness through plant-based products and traditional services.
Based in St. Leonard, My Mustard Seed specializes in micro-arugula, broccoli, cress, kale, kohlrabi, and mizuna as part of the Farm to Table movement.
Naturally Silky Soap
Owner: Leila Mitchell
Meet Leila Mitchell, owner of Naturally Silky Soap. After retiring as a pharmacist, Leila set out to create natural body products after recognizing the harmful ingredients in commercial body products.
Founded in 2014 and located in Huntingtown, Naturally Silky Soap offers handmade soaps and body products using vegan ingredients and cold-process production.
Scuba Center & Outdoor Rec
Owners: Fred Sr., Bev, Fred Jr. and Jabari Lyles
13876 Solomons Island Road, #572, Solomons
Meet The Lyles Family.
The Lyles own and operate Scuba Center & Outdoor Rec in Solomons. Founded in 2017, owner Fred Lyles Sr. is a retired firefighter who specialized in water rescue. Fred Sr. has has a passion for scuba diving his entire life and has been diving for over 40 years, with 35 of those years as a scuba instructor. His wife, Bev, and sons, Fred Jr and Jabari have supported his passion by working as a family to run the full-service scuba store.
The store has a team that provides scuba training, sales and service of scuba equipment and travel for both divers and non-divers. The store stayed afloat during the stressful pandemic time and is ready to meet customers diving and traveling needs.
S.J. Johnson Inc.
Owner: Saquane Johnson
5601 Solomons Island Road, Huntingtown
Meet Saquane Johnson. Johnson is the owner of S.J. Johnson Inc., who has been proudly serving central and southern Maryland for over 15 years with propane service and pool water delivery. Johnson helps keep your family warm and cool all year round!
Based out of Huntingtown, Saquane truly believes in treating his customers the way he wants to be treated and that his employees make all the difference in the business’s success.
Smelly Kids Company
Owner: Andrea Thomas
Andrea is the owner of Smelly Kids Company, which specializes in natural, hand-crafted bath and body products. Andrea and her family started Smelly Kids Company to help other families feel comfortable about what they use, while taking inspiration from kids to find what they would enjoy. That is why all of their products are "inspired by kids, for kids!"
T-Lo's Diner
Owners: Mark and Tara Jones
36 Dalrymple Road, Sunderland
Meet the owners of T-Lo’s Diner, Mark and Tara Jones.
Founded in 2022 with a genuine heart for serving the community, T-Lo’s Diner is nestled in Sunderland, offering a delectable menu focused on American comfort food.
Therapy Cafe
Owner: Alison Stenson
65 Duke Street, Suite 106, Prince Frederick
Alison is the owner of Therapy Cafe. Therapy Cafe is a place where anyone and everyone can accomplish their own internal greatness and successes in a judgement-free zone. A place where you can be your true self to discuss all the highs and lows, ups and downs. A place where everybody does not know your name. We provide exclusivity, discreteness, and accessibility.
Yard Card Genie LLC
Owner: Julia Sampson
Julia is the owner of Yard Card Genie LLC, which serves southern Maryland, offering beautifully executed yard art and custom party favors for every occasion.
Since 2021, Julia (the Genie) has served more than 400 satisfied clients. She has a strong network of business partnerships throughout Calvert County and believes in supporting schools and other local businesses in her community.