Blapp is changing the way Black-owned businesses connect with their communities and attract new clientele.
Blapp: Bridging The Gap For Black-Owned Businesses
Jon Laster, a comedian-turned-app developer, created Blapp to help Black-owned businesses thrive. Following George Floyd’s murder in 2020, Laster sought a sustainable way to support his community.
“Blapp works by simplifying people’s desire to help,” Laster said according to ABC News.
In Blapp, users can see nearby Black-owned businesses—from restaurants to nail salons—on a map or in a list and search for products and services offered by Black business owners.
The app’s database is maintained with user feedback and reviews, ensuring it remains up-to-date and relevant.
From 2022 to 2023, the number of Black-owned businesses in the U.S. grew by more than 20,000, with annual receipts increasing by $40 billion and 100,000 new employees added.
“If you make it easier for people to find these businesses, the potential is off the charts,” Laster stated.
How Blapp Is Making A Difference
The platform is providing support to business owners like Frantz Metellus, whose restaurant Rustik Tavern in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, was recently the target of a racist attack.
Following the attack, Metellus saw a swift community response, bolstered by Blapp. “Blapp allows regular people to find Black-owned businesses easily,” he told ABC News.
The app has already gained significant traction, with over 75,000 downloads in its first year. Laster anticipates this number will increase tenfold by year’s end.
“People want to help, and Blapp makes it easy for them to do so,” Laster says.
Looking ahead, he plans to expand Blapp’s reach by adding more businesses across the country, increasing funding, and promoting its services.
