When the COVID-19 pandemic began, the financial instability resulting from mass closures to protect communities from the spread of the virus negatively impacted small businesses. Black-owned businesses were among the worst hit by the closures. Many businesses saw their revenue plummet since the beginning of the pandemic and were barely able to hold on. Business owners did everything they could to keep their businesses, and in the process, some were lost.

When public health regulations permitted, Big Black Brunch partnered with Black-owned restaurants and vendors to bring customers back to their doors.