The Original Vibe!
Experienced the largest Black owned food festivals in the Midwest!
Food vendors, retail vendors + curated vendors, live performers, and thousands of guests!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2025
Taste of Black STL 2025 Officially Cancelled.
St. Louis, MO — It is with deep gratitude and a heavy heart that we announce the cancellation of The Taste of Black STL 2025, originally scheduled for September 12–14, 2025 at Soldiers Memorial Plaza.
Like so many cultural celebrations across the nation, funding plays a crucial role in making events of this scale possible. In 2024, we were proud to secure our first corporate sponsorship — a major milestone for our festival. Unfortunately, due to widespread DEI program cutbacks, that funding was withdrawn. Historically, The Taste of Black STL has been “funded by the people (our vendors) for the people (the City of St. Louis).” However, this year, many vendors chose not to participate, making it financially impossible to host the event.
For the past eight years, The Taste of Black STL has proudly served as the largest Black-owned festival in the Midwest — a platform that:
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Showcased the talents of incredible chefs from across the region.
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Cultivated and empowered Black and Brown entrepreneurs, many of whom grew from side hustle into thriving retail shops, food trucks, and brick-and-mortar restaurants.
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Helped businesses develop logos, marketing strategies, and professional branding.
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Provided referrals, mentorship, and the confidence to enter other festivals and markets.
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Created a vibrant space for community, culture, and economic growth.
It has been a beautiful journey to witness these success stories and to be part of a movement that legitimized and elevated so many businesses in our community. While it is sad to see this chapter close, we understand that people have choices — and sometimes, we are not the chosen few.
We remain deeply proud of our city, its resilience, and its vibrant cultural spirit. We love STL and everything about it and pray it continues to flourish so the world can see just how dope she really is.
To the businesses who registered for the Taste of Black STL 2025 — please check your email for details on your refund.
See you around STL!
Aisha James
Founder, The Taste of Black STL
“The Black Taste” - Largest Black-Owned Festival in the Midwest
Join us for the "Taste of Black St. Louis Weekend" filled with food, music, and community!
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A Blast of Culture and Flavor!
The Taste of Black St. Louis was amazing! The food was out of this world, with so many delicious options. The vibe was super fun and lively, with great music and cool vendors. Perfect for a fun day out with family and friends.
Can’t wait for next year!
Foodie Heaven!
If you love food, you’ll love the Taste of Black St. Louis! So many yummy dishes to try, plus awesome live music and cooking demos. The energy was fantastic, and everyone was having a great time. Highly recommend it for a delicious and fun experience!
Kids Zone Big Fun!
The Kids Zone at the Festival was a
hit with my son! He loved the face painting, games, and exploring with all the other children. There were so many activities to keep him entertained. It’s a fantastic family-friendly event, and we’ll definitely be back next year!