Akim Vann's bakery in Brooklyn is among the businesses getting a little extra boost to recover from the pandemic, as a featured eatery in Black Restaurant Week, an annual campaign that starts late June.

 "I've had people say and I've had people write 'this is the best chocolate chip cookie I've ever had,'" said Vann, who isn't shy about bragging on the tasty treats and the vibe she offers at The Bakery on Bergen.

She said she has a loyal customer base, but surviving the pandemic has been tough.

"We had a challenging year. I actually had to close for about a month, so I still feel like I'm playing catch up, although I do have a lot of support," said Vann.

"I'm excited for anything Black, because we have such history and culture and I feel like we up the ante with regard to anything, whether it's food or music," she said. 

Black Restaurant Week started in 2016 in Houston. Co-founder Falayn Ferell said the campaign expanded to New York for the first time last year when the pandemic was in full swing, but kept its goal of supporting Black business owners.
 
"It's free for them to participate and we don't take any percentage of the revenue or sales earned throughout the week," said Ferrell.  "It being the pandemic, we've seen businesses just kind of like getting that extra financial push to keep their doors open."

The week, which runs from June 25 to the Fourth of July, is meant to show the best of the Black culinary experience.

"My treats are really delicious but we have to keep in mind that it's not just that people are patronizing our businesses that are Black-owned, we are excellent.  It's Black excellence," said Vann.

And because the Black Restaurant Week directory is also free for diners, Vann said one's tastebuds really can't go wrong.

"You are also being exposed to some products and services that you may not have experienced before, and so I think it's a win-win situation," she said.