February is Black History Month, and to celebrate and honor some of Pittsburgh’s hardest-working business owners and entrepreneurs, we’ve gathered up a list of Black-owned businesses that focus on wellness, whether through training the mind, fueling the body, or uplifting the community.

If you’re still on your “new year, new me” grind or are just looking to find new ways to feel a little bit better this winter, check out some of our favorite Black-owned local businesses that can help you reach your goals and feel your best with their healthy snacks, nutritious meals, and comprehensive wellness services.

Vibe Bellevue

Vibe Bellevue makes it clear from the second you walk in the door – they’re ALL about good vibes! Co-owner George Luck serves up delicious protein smoothies, protein coffees, and energizing teas with a friendly smile on his face, and while you may feel like you’re cheating on your diet, you’re definitely getting a healthy treat. Their strawberry cheesecake Valentine’s Day special is a protein-packed smoothie that looks like an irresistible dessert for under 300 calories! Get fit and enjoy the treat, too – and the vibes, of course.

Quick Drip IV

Bo Trasada has been a pioneer in bringing IV hydration therapy to Pittsburgh, and if you haven’t given it a try yet, you’ll want to drop in after your next big night out. When you visit Quick Drip IV’s cozy, relaxing lounge on Carson Street in the South Side, you can treat yourself to a menu of IV hydration cocktails that will have you back on your feet in no time, from electrolytes and anti-inflammatory remedies to cure that hangover or custom solutions to help you reach your fitness and immunity goals this winter.

Live Fresh Juicery

When we spoke to Live Fresh Juicery co-owner Brett Gillam last year, he told us, “I believe health and nourishment are the number-one keys to a successful life.” Well, based on the success he’s had last year, he must be right! Since then, Gillam and his partner (and fiancee) Catey Burget have opened a second location of their popular Homestead juicery on the North Side. The menu at Live Fresh features cold-pressed juice, smoothies, acai bowls, and wellness shots that will keep you feeling energized and enriched all day long.

Wild Rise Bakery

Want to know a secret? Even if you haven’t ordered from Wild Rise Bakery yet, you might have tried some of Oliver Pinder’s baked goods already. His extensive menu of bread, pastries, cookies, and other sweet treats is entirely gluten-free and many items are often vegan, too. However, his baked goods aren’t just available in his Homewood bakery – he’s a supplier for vegan cafe Viridis, local ice cream icons Millie’s, and pop-up events with local businesses including KLVN Coffee Lab. Of course, you can get some tasty, GF baked goods delivered to your own home by ordering through the Wild Rise Bakery website.

Everyday Cafe

At Everyday Cafe, there are three pillars of health you can satisfy in just one visit: health of the body, health of the soul, and health of the community. Co-owner Cynthia Wallace has built a restaurant that’s not just a cozy coffee shop with eye-catching latte art, nor is it just a made-to-order deli-style restaurant with nutritious, comforting meals served all day long. Everyday Cafe is more – it’s a business with the heart of the community in mind, celebrating the art, culture, and creativity of Homewood and even encouraging the growth of other businesses nearby.

Shape Training

If you want to get in seriously good shape, Yardon Brantley and his team of trainers at Shape Training is your go-to guy. A former Duquesne football player himself, Brantley leads a style of training at Shape that focuses on a strong, elite lifestyle – not just building a better body, but building the inner strength to achieve your goals through the support of a knowledgeable training community that has your back. Drop by a class at their East Liberty gym to learn more about the possibilities – but prepare to be pretty sore at first, like I was. (Totally worth it though.)

PowerBites!

PowerBites! co-founder Sharif Rasheed’s Instagram bio says it all: “I make food taste better.” In just three years, Rasheed’s PowerBites!, his brand of tasty, plant-based snacks perfect for when you’re on the go, have been popping up on shelves all over the place (including Whole Foods). Combining ingredients like nuts, chia seeds, oats, dates, and other good-for-you snack essentials, PowerBites! are beloved by athletes, busy parents, and even kids – and if it’s kid-approved, you know it tastes great.

This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.
Kaidia Pickels

Kaidia is a native Pittsburgher and a content writer for a local marketing agency. She loves to travel, try new dishes at local restaurants, and drop in to fitness class throughout the city. She's a die-hard Pens fan as well as an amateur baker and mixologist — sometimes combining both in one recipe!

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