Blacker the Berry Juicery wants to Increase Black Health Leaders and Consumers

By Maya Mackey

Dr. Dominique Lavel is the founder and visionary behind Blacker The Berry, a cultural movement transforming how the Black community experiences wellness. With roots in Richmond, VA and a Ph.D. in Business Psychology, he bridges the gap between wellness and authentic representation through his deep commitment to amplifying Black voices and experiences.

Since founding Blacker The Berry in 2021, Dominique has built the brand from a premium juice company into a lifestyle movement that celebrates Black heritage through wellness products, cultural goods, and community experiences. In early 2024, he expanded the brand’s presence to reach consumers at the Inglewood Farmers Market, creating a weekly touchpoint with the community he serves.

Lavel’s passion for health and wellness, combined with his expertise in business psychology, drives his unique approach to creating products and experiences that resonate with cultural authenticity. Through Blacker The Berry, Dominique is realizing his vision of creating spaces where wellness feels natural, accessible, and culturally relevant for the Black community.

The also aspires to raise awareness around the food inequities within the U.S. prison system and improve food quality within that same system. 

Below is our conversation about  the origins of Blacker the Berry, its current  impact, and how the community leaders can continue to support the health and wellness venture. 

1. What inspired you to create this business specifically? “I saw a gap in how wellness was being presented to our community. It wasn’t just about creating another juice company – it was about building a movement where wellness and culture could coexist authentically. 
2. Why did you choose to run your business in Inglewood? “Inglewood represents the perfect intersection of culture, community, and opportunity. This city has such a rich Black history and culture, and we’ve found an incredible community here.  Whether it’s through mobile delivery, ad-hoc events, or in-person at the local farmers market, our weekly interactions with our customers have helped shape our vision for what Blacker The Berry can become in this community.”
3. How would you like to see the Mayor and City Council continue to help small businesses thrive amongst the higher level development in the city? “We need policies that ensure development uplifts existing communities rather than displacing them. As a vendor at the farmers market, we see firsthand how important accessible spaces are for small businesses to grow. Support could include grants for business improvement, programs helping small businesses scale up, and ensuring developments include spaces for local businesses to establish permanent locations.”

4. What’s the best part of running your business? What is challenging about running your business? “The best part is our Saturday mornings at the farmers market is connecting with our community face-to-face. When someone tells us they finally feel seen in the wellness space, or when they bring their family to try our products – that’s everything. The challenging part is managing growth while staying true to our mission. We’re building something that hasn’t existed before, starting from our market stand and growing towards our vision of a permanent wellness space. Each challenge pushes us to innovate and create something truly special for our community.”

So where can you find this dynamic and tasty juicery? Blacker the Berry currently takes orders online via their Instagram account (@blackertheberryjuicery) and they sell their juice every Saturday at the Inglewood Farmers Market from 9AM – 1PM. Online order forms are listed in their Instagram Bio Link, and orders are ready for pickup within 48 hours. 

As for the future of Blacker the Berry, The vision is to create what I call a ‘Black Disney’ of wellness – a space where our stories, our health, and our community can thrive together. Something bigger than products, something that could transform how we approach wellness entirely.”