Upshur Street Becomes a Model for Black Women Entrepreneurs
One block in Washington, D.C.’s Petworth neighborhood is changing what local business looks like. Black women have turned a stretch of Upshur Street into a center of community, growth, and collaboration.
Their businesses do more than sell goods. They support one another, create local jobs, and host events for the neighborhood. These women show how business and community can grow side by side.
Legacy and Empowerment Drive Petworth’s Women Business Owners
Most of these business owners are from Washington. Their work reflects personal stories, family roots, and a strong bond with their community. Alexes Haggins, owner of Flowers by Alexes, opened her shop where she grew up.
“I’ve been here since I was 9 years old,” she said. “We reopened the shop, and we’ve been here and doing really well since then.” Her flower shop is also a venue. Creatives rent it for pop-ups, classes, and workshops.
Nearby, Michelle Smith runs Cookie Wear, a clothing business that has served the neighborhood for 25 years. These women blend personal history with smart business.
New Shops Bring Life and Unity to the Block
Tisha Brown owns Elephant in My Room, a boutique selling clothes and lifestyle items. She started with one rack in her apartment. Now, she runs a full store.
“I started selling clothes with a single rack in my two-bedroom apartment five years ago,” she said. “From there, I did pop-ups… now this is my space.”
Just across the street, Dyane Johnson runs Petworth Cigars. She says local business is not about competition. Instead, it’s about teamwork. “It’s excellent to be able to have the support and integration of different businesses,” she said.
Building Community Through Events and Shared Space
The owners on Upshur Street offer more than products. They open their spaces for people to gather, learn, and connect. At Flowers by Alexes, events like yoga, crocheting, and Pilates give neighbors a place to relax and bond.
“Just coming back, reaching out and reconnecting with the community and how they receive me, it was just a good feeling,” Haggins shared. Her shop is designed to welcome everyone—not just customers, but community members too.
DC Leads the Nation in Black-Owned Businesses
Black women now own nearly 40% of Black-owned businesses in D.C., according to the city’s Department of Small and Local Business Development. Washington also has the most Black-owned businesses per person in the U.S.
The women of Upshur Street are not just part of that growth. They are shaping it. Their way of doing business—locally, cooperatively, and with deep community ties—offers a strong example for others to follow.
