As we end February we say goodbye to another Black History Month. But we support our black-owned businesses all year long, every year. According to Washington County statistics, the Black population has grown 36% in the past 10 years or so and that is a most welcome trend. Hillsboro has been a community that has had a low or non-existent Black population in the past, so we are very encouraged by these numbers.
It is standard practice during Black History Month to look for historical figures of great note and achievements. But what are we to do when those people do not exist because they were not here? As a historian, I am always reminded history is happening every day with every tick of the clock. The year that was 2020 was one of the most historic years in American history. People we meet today are making history right now. So through the right lens, we must realize that anyone and any actions taken qualify for being historic the moment they are in our past.
That said we want to recognize 3 outstanding new black-owned Hillsboro businesses. All three opened during COVID-19. All three helped to keep the downtown district from suffering rising vacancy rates. All three are creating jobs, shoppers, and new vibrancy to our city. The fact that they are black-owned businesses is noteworthy given the month we are celebrating and the past that we all share. They are historic in that sense and we want to celebrate them before the month is gone.
Meet these three great new Businesses and their owners.
Photo Dirk Knudsen
DeVita Davis: Richest Ornament Beauty – https://www.facebook.com/RichestOrnamentBeautyCo
149 SE 3rd Street Hillsboro, Oregon – “Black-Owned Beauty Supply Store, providing quality natural hair care products and services to PDX metro westside.” We met DeVita when she opened in her first spot and we immediately hit it off. She is a shining light, a fantastic businesswoman, and we are so lucky to have her here.
DeVita chose Hillsboro over remaining in Beaverton. She drove looking for locations close to MAX light rail and after a review of all possible locations ended up in downtown. We spoke this AM and she reflected upon her decision:
“We have been doing great. We have actually been able to grow and hire an additional stylist through this time. Coming here has been a true blessing! The reception from the businesses here and the community has been incredible. There was something about the Vibe of the location and the people that made me come here. I am so very glad we did,” she stated.
She will grow in Hillsboro and hopes to be an active part of the community for a long long time to come. Her line of hair care products is extensive and her salon is adding staff- great new jobs for our city to be proud of! We salute DeVita and her family and friends who support her business!
Photos Dirk Knudsen
Wendell Williams and his Fiance with his partner Gabriel – Blitz Card Board – 235 East Main Street
Here are some local kids doing big things in the world of collectible sports cards and memorabilia. We knew Wendell as a teenager as he went to local schools with our kids. He was always a great influence on the people around him and has a fantastic smile and energy! That has not changed and his fiance Laura and partner Gabriel are cut from the same cloth. This dynamic group will open their store very soon and have thousands of followers on Instagram. Jerseys hang in the window, valuable collectors cards will be ready to go, and I am told there will be some fun stuff for the kids too! We see the energy and fun times being had at Blitz Card Board starting very soon! Welcome to you all and thank you for picking Hillsboro as the home of your business! Check them out right here!
Photo Dirk Knudsen
Anne Johnson – Mamancy Tea & Chocolates- 131 SE 3rd street – Hillsboro, Oregon-
Here is an incredibly talented woman and her business that is now taking off in Hillsboro. This tea and chocolate wonderland is the second store for CEO Anne Johnson. I can sing her praises for paragraphs but let me say the teas are divine and the hand-made chocolates are otherworldly. We spent some time with Anne this week and did an on-camera interview and store tour. Tea and Chocolate lovers unite- this is a paradise on earth in downtown Hillsboro! Anne, we welcome you and Mamancy and hope you stay for eternity.
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Black History Month happens every year. We think these wonderful people and businesses made history this year and we look forward to celebrating that for years to come! They join the list of businesses listed by the City on their page! Here is to all of you that have been and are making Black History here in Hillsboro, Oregon!
Wow! I’ve been living in Washington County for the last 10 years and so thankful that I can experience Beaverton and Hillsboro with new Black owned businesses joining other businesses I have enjoyed in downtown Hillsboro. Welcome to a great city who wants to embrace all cultures.
Deborah – It will take folks like us to keep this wonderful development going. There are people in this town who do not share our views! But love and equality for all is the only way! These businesses are all going to do great – I am supporting them all and I hope you and your family and friends will help that to happen!
Thanks to much!
Dirk
Where is Mamancy located. According to Yelp, it’s on Cornelius Pass not downtown Hillsboro?
We take great care to have 110 percent accuracy in all we do. Based on my video and tea and chocolate that I just got at 3rd and Main they are most definitely in downtown Hillsboro.
Thank you for supporting and highlighting black owned businesses! I’m excited to get my daughter some new hair products and then head over for some chocolates’! My daughter (who is mixed race), and myself moved over here to Hillsboro about 15 years ago. We moved out there from N Portland, where back then in our neighborhood, there were gang turf wars happing a lot and I wanted to try a new neighborhood. Hillsboro was my choice to start my daughters education entering 1st grade. We’ve always loved and appreciated the safety and peace here, but was definitely lacking diversity for black people. The only people of color we would see were people from India whom a lot work in our tech industry over here at the Intel campuses. For hair supplies, and other specialty items related to black culture, we would have to travel back to Portland, as there was nothing here. I hope with the help of word of mouth and articles like this people will start to see more much needed diversity and want to move to this area. It’s really beautiful here with so many conveniences.
Rose-
Thank you so so much! Matters of race are so highly charged that even writing about businesses owned by people of color and our Black Community is hard for me. In my personal life, I can say that many of my best friends are black and of various races. The fact is that no matter how I treat them and everyone, there are those who choose to fall into the foolish ways of our past. This article has had many wonderful comments. But on social media here in Hillsboro it elicited threats to me and local businesses- even online I had to take them seriously. I reported them and we will not cease in our efforts to make Hillsboro a better place! Thank you for your support of these beautiful people and their businesses and here is to a future with more and more color, blacks and whites and all tones in between!
Gratefully;
Dirk