New York (CNN Business) Ifi Akpandak has a new venture he hopes will make it easier for Americans to find and support Black-owned restaurants in their local communities. "I noticed a lot of people reaching out to me based on my background in corporate America asking how they can support Black-owned businesses," Akpandak, a former Goldman Sachs principal trader and resident New Yorker, told CNN Business on Friday. Brava is a monthly subscription service for digital gift cards to local Black-owned restaurants that gives customers a list of regional eateries owned by African Americans. Currently Brava's website lists 19 New York City restaurants in its database, but Akpandak plans to add eateries in additional metro areas such as San Francisco before taking it nationwide. Since funds are deducted automatically each month, Brava is also a source of guaranteed monthly revenue for Black restaurateurs at a time when many are struggling to stay in business.

Source: CNN December 22, 2020 14:26 UTC