SHOPPE BLACK

In today’s ever-evolving food industry, brands that resonate culturally while prioritizing health and wellness are rare.

But A Dozen Cousins, founded by Ibraheem Basir, has managed to achieve just that—offering a unique blend of family values, cultural authenticity, and nutritious foods. In an exclusive interview with Shoppe Black, Ibraheem shares the inspiration behind his brand, its growth journey, and what the future holds for A Dozen Cousins.

The name “A Dozen Cousins” has a deep personal meaning for Ibraheem. He explains, “The brand is named after my nieces, nephews, and my first daughter. When we were preparing to have our first child, I already had 11 nieces and nephews, so my daughter became the 12th cousin.” This family connection is the heart of the brand, symbolizing the role that family, food, and culture have played throughout Ibraheem’s life.

Growing up in Brooklyn, Ibraheem was surrounded by a rich Black and Latino melting pot of cultures, where food was more than just sustenance—it was a way to celebrate and spread love. “I grew up eating Creole, Caribbean, and Latin American cuisine. Food was always a way to mark holidays and special occasions, and it’s something I wanted to bring to others through A Dozen Cousins.”

Ibraheem started his career working at a large national food brand, but as he learned more about health and wellness, he noticed a gap in the market. “There were very few brands that hit the right combination of being health-focused, using high-quality ingredients, and staying culturally relevant,” he said. This observation led to the creation of A Dozen Cousins, with a mission to celebrate culture through food while promoting healthy eating.

The brand’s first product, seasoned beans, was chosen with intention. “Beans are one of the healthiest foods on the planet,” Ibraheem explains. “They’re also emotionally significant for many cultures. We wanted people to feel like they were treating their bodies well, while also connecting to their culture.”

A Dozen Cousins started with seasoned beans, a product that resonated with customers for its convenience and authenticity. “For about two years, beans were the only product we sold,” Ibraheem recalls. As demand grew, the brand expanded its offerings to include rice and seasoning sauces.

“When we saw that 90% of our customers were eating our beans with rice, we knew it was time to expand into that category,” he says. But, as with everything A Dozen Cousins creates, the rice had to stand out. “We decided to cook our rice in bone broth, making it more nutrient-dense with seven grams of protein and a few grams of collagen.” This focus on both taste and health is what sets the brand apart.

Today, A Dozen Cousins offers a full portfolio of products, allowing customers to create entire meals. “You can put together a high-quality dinner using just our products. Grab a couple of pouches of our beans, rice, and seasoning sauces, and in 20 minutes, you’ve got a delicious meal.”

A Dozen Cousins is now available in over 8,000 stores, including major retailers. When asked about his strategy for expanding the brand’s retail presence, Ibraheem emphasizes the importance of standing out. “Retailers are looking for the same thing as consumers—products that are new, interesting, and different from what’s already out there,” he says.

He highlights the brand’s unique value proposition. “When we launched our beans, most of what was on store shelves were plain cans of beans. We offered something more convenient, something that didn’t require chopping, seasoning, or cooking time. That’s how we were able to grow our distribution so quickly.”

But getting onto retail shelves wasn’t easy. Ibraheem shares how persistence and creativity played a role. “We’ve done a lot of hustling—cold emails, sending products to headquarters, and attending trade shows. It’s not always a smooth line, but we’ve seen success.”

Running a food brand requires a delicate balance between operational demands and creative development. Ibraheem credits his team for helping him maintain that balance. “We have a great team in place—our director of supply chain ensures we’re producing on time and on spec, while our VP of sales helps us meet retailer requirements. That gives me the headspace to think about the future of the brand and product development.”

For Ibraheem, creativity is about doing things differently. “We launched a white bean chili last year at Whole Foods, and it’s now our number two seller there. It’s a product that didn’t exist in the market, and we made it our own by using white beans, tomatillos, and jalapeno for a vegan twist on a classic chili verde.”

When asked about his vision for the next five years, Ibraheem is clear: he wants A Dozen Cousins to be synonymous with Creole, Caribbean, and Latin American cuisine. “The goal is for people to think of A Dozen Cousins when they’re preparing a meal from these regions. We want to be their sous chef, the brand that helps them put together a meal that’s delicious, healthy, and culturally authentic.”

Achieving that goal involves more than just creating great products. “You need great packaging, an emotional connection with consumers, and a solid business model. But ultimately, it’s about getting to that point where people know you, your products are in their pantry, and you’re part of their routine.”

Yaba Baker is the founder and CEO of Just Like Me World, a company dedicated to empowering Black children through books and animated content that address mental health, self-love, and pride in Black history.

In this interview, he shares the personal story of trauma that inspired him to create content that fosters positive mental health for children, particularly in underserved communities.

https://youtu.be/bc3jJs11tmM?si=PeOksqOFtMTyNutk

The Black Hoteliers & Investors Association (BH&IA) is a membership-based, nonprofit trade association focused on growing the valuation of the independent, Black-owned boutique hotel and resort market to $8 billion by 2060.

BH&IA provides its investor and owner members with innovative models to scale their hospitality brands, increase returns, and collectively impact the industry.

In this interview, S. Lovey Parker, Executive Director of the BH&IA highlights the challenges and opportunities facing Black hotel owners and investors, as well as the organization’s efforts to address these issues through marketing, capitalization, and community support.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJzRVJNSvr0

Tiffany Kelly is the founder and CEO of Curastory, a platform that empowers creators to seamlessly produce, edit, and monetize their video content across multiple channels from a single hub.

Curastory not only streamlines the content creation process but also connects brands with creators, simplifying the complexities of legal and financial negotiations.

In this interview, Tiffany reflects on the pivotal experiences that shaped her entrepreneurial journey, from observing the rapid transformations within the media industry to identifying the immense potential of the creator economy.

She recounts how her early career at ESPN, where she played a key role in developing essential data metrics, ignited her entrepreneurial spirit and inspired her to establish Curastory.

Join us as we delve into Tiffany’s journey, the obstacles she has overcome, and the innovative solutions she continues to pioneer in the dynamic world of digital media.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlOmIKHRFMU

Nasir Qadree, the founder of Zeal Capital Partners, a venture capital firm based in Washington, DC, joins Shoppe Black co-founder, Tony O. Lawson, for an insightful conversation on inclusive investing and the unique approach of Zeal Capital Partners.

During the interview, Qadree discusses his journey into venture capital and underscores the significance of supporting diverse management teams and mission-driven entrepreneurs. He outlines Zeal Capital Partners’ dedication to redefining the foundations of wealth through strategic investments in education, employment pathways, financial technology, and health equity.

Zeal Capital Partners operates under an inclusive investing mandate, ensuring both financial returns and social impact. Qadree’s background, which diverges from the traditional VC path, allowed him to create a differentiated strategy that resonated with limited partners. This approach helped Zeal raise significant capital, even amidst challenging market conditions.

The conversation delves into Zeal’s focus areas:

Future of Work: Investing in technologies that reskill and upskill workers to address the skills gap.

Financial Technology: Supporting ventures that expand credit access and combat biases in credit systems.

Health Equity: Investing in companies that improve access to affordable healthcare and address social determinants of health.

Qadree discusses the challenges of raising capital for a mission-driven firm and shares his strategies for convincing limited partners to back Zeal. He emphasizes the importance of having a strong conviction in one’s vision and being disciplined with the cap table. Additionally, he advises founders on navigating the VC market, focusing on market understanding, product differentiation, and investor alignment.

As Zeal Capital Partners continues to grow, Qadree remains dedicated to inclusive investing, supporting diverse entrepreneurs, and driving meaningful social change. The firm’s comprehensive post-investment support ensures that portfolio companies receive the necessary tools and guidance to scale and succeed.

Watch the full interview below to learn more about Nasir Qadree’s inspiring journey and Zeal Capital Partners’ innovative approach to venture capital.

https://youtu.be/UiHfUfPfUZY

The Entertainment Football League Association (ENTFLA) is redefining the sports and entertainment landscape with a unique blend of professional indoor football and high-energy live events. From pre-game tailgating to post-game concerts, ENTFLA offers fans an immersive experience unlike any other.

Founded by entrepreneur Douglas Freeman, ENTFLA is more than just a sports league. It’s a platform for community engagement and economic growth. With a focus on profitability and expansion, Freeman is building a business model that attracts investors and positions ENTFLA for nationwide and global success.

Backed by a seasoned team of industry experts, ENTFLA is committed to making a positive impact on its host cities. Through strategic partnerships and community initiatives, the league aims to unite communities, support local businesses, and provide opportunities for youth.

As ENTFLA continues to grow, its vision is to become a dominant force in the sports and entertainment industry, with a global reach and a lasting legacy.

Key points:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjMsiC4DV5A

Gregory Boler Jr. is the founder and managing partner of KMT Partners, a company that sources and executes unique industrial development opportunities in primary and emerging markets along the East Coast.

In this interview, Gregory shares his journey from a mechanical engineering student and football player at Florida A&M University to a leading figure in industrial real estate development. He delves into his strategic investment approach, market focus, and the emerging trends shaping the industrial sector.

With insights on creating generational wealth and navigating complex projects, this conversation offers a comprehensive look into the expertise and ambition driving KMT Partners.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IMYVA9p4q8

NAAGA is a membership-based organization dedicated to helping African Americans learn about their rights and responsibilities as firearm owners.

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Shanea Daniels, Director of Chapters and Memberships for the National African American Gun Association (NAAGA).

Shanea shares her thoughts on the importance of gun safety and education within the Second Amendment community.

We’ll also learn about the upcoming NAAGA 2024 National Summit in Dallas, Texas, happening July 25th through 28th. The summit offers a variety of activities for gun enthusiasts of all experience levels, including training sessions, educational workshops, and social events.

Stay tuned as Shanea dives deeper into the summit’s theme, “It’s Bigger Than Us,” and explains how NAAGA promotes a holistic approach to well-being for its members.

Atlanta-based ECOMSPACES provides a collaborative workspace that caters specifically to the needs of online retailers.

From marketing assistance to private offices, dedicated desks, and inventory management solutions, ECOMSPACES equips entrepreneurs with the resources they need to thrive.

In this interview, co-founder and CEO Maïré Bavarday-Rosa shares her inspiring journey from a bedroom startup to a global e-commerce support hub.

Topics Covered:

• The founding story of EcomSpaces

https://youtu.be/yl5vNeF3oPA?si=Fdur6vpOyrZTyI25

What do you get when a Military Submarine Force Veteran and an Optometrist join forces to tackle diabetes? You get LensRxLAB, a healthcare startup on a mission to revolutionize diabetic eye care with cutting-edge technology, affordability, and social responsibility.

In this interview, Anthony Miles and Dr. Chalise Furman explain how their product addresses the needs of diabetic individuals, offering both healthcare delivery platforms and specialized lens technology.

They emphasize the importance of partnerships, both in terms of investors and strategic alliances, to scale their business and make a meaningful impact. They also highlight their commitment to diversity and social responsibility, aiming to serve communities at large while also achieving financial success.

Their ultimate goal is to build LensRxLAB into a billion-dollar company, driven by innovation, service, and partnerships.

Having secured $830,000 in seed funding, they now aim to raise $3.1 million to scale up their operations, including production, staffing, and facility development.