TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — It's a visit with the potential to change lives.
Starex Smith, known as 'The Hungry Black Man', spent two days in the capital city visiting black owned restaurants. Eating and vlogging his way through Tallahassee, posting video updates on platforms like Facebook, visiting places like Leola's Crab Shacks new location off of Adams Street.
"We really wanted to be able to showcase as a black business owner, that we can be part of professionalism and that we do different types of food, and that we do really really good food, and that we work very very hard," said Erick Mckinnon, owner of Leola's Crab Shack.
The trip comes during a time when African-American businesses in Tallahassee are asking for more support from the city and county, Smith says he and entrepreneurs, can use their platforms to help these businesses.
"During the social unrest of George Floyd and what that brought, it brought this sort of awareness and almost magnifying glass on the plight of black businesses," said Smith.
It's one of the reasons why visit Tallahassee and the capital city chamber of commerce teamed up with the foodie to shine a positive light on black owned restaurants, hoping people in Tallahassee and beyond will give them a chance.
"Get out and visit these establishments. They are phenomenal," said Kerri Post of Visit Tallahassee.
