Happy Black History Month from all of us at Kush Groove! This February, we’re taking time to reflect on what it means to celebrate this important month as a Black-owned and Black-led company in the cannabis industry.
Kush Groove was built from the ground up by Black leaders and entrepreneurs who saw an opportunity to create something meaningful in a space where our community has historically been excluded and criminalized. We’re not just participants in this industry—we’re shaping its future with intention, purpose, and a deep commitment to our community.
This month matters to us because it’s a reminder of the resilience, innovation, and excellence that Black people have brought to every industry we’ve touched. It’s also a time to acknowledge that our work doesn’t stop in February. For us, honoring Black history means showing up every single day to build a business that reflects our values and creates opportunities for others who look like us.
Kush Groove started with a vision: to create a cannabis company that truly represents the people who have been most impacted by the War on Drugs. Our founders knew firsthand the challenges that Black entrepreneurs face—from limited access to capital and banking services to navigating an industry that’s still finding its footing when it comes to equity and inclusion.
The cannabis industry has a complicated history with Black communities. While Black people were disproportionately arrested and incarcerated for cannabis-related offenses for decades, we’ve been largely shut out of the legal market that’s now generating billions of dollars. That reality drives everything we do. We started Kush Groove because we believe Black people deserve to be at the table—not just as employees, but as owners, decision-makers, and leaders.
Our leadership team makes decisions through a lens shaped by our lived experiences. We understand what it means to navigate systems that weren’t built with us in mind. We know the importance of creating spaces where Black professionals can thrive without having to code-switch or dim their light. That perspective influences how we build our company culture, who we hire, and how we show up in our community.
Representation matters, especially in an industry where the stakes are so high for our community. When customers walk into our space or interact with our brand, we want them to see themselves reflected in our leadership, our staff, and our values. We’re intentional about hiring Black talent at every level of our organization, from entry-level positions to executive roles.
Being Black-led also means we feel a deep responsibility to open doors for others. We’ve benefited from the Black entrepreneurs and activists who fought to create space in this industry, and we take seriously our role in paying that forward. Whether it’s through mentorship, partnerships, or simply being visible proof that Black-owned cannabis businesses can succeed, we’re committed to making the path easier for those who come after us.
Our company culture reflects our values. We celebrate Black excellence, we create space for authentic conversations about race and justice, and we build relationships with our community that go beyond transactions. We’re not trying to fit into someone else’s mold—we’re creating our own blueprint for what a successful, values-driven cannabis company can look like.
Black History Month is important, but our commitment to our community doesn’t start in February and end in March. We’ve built our business model around supporting Black communities 365 days a year through intentional partnerships, equitable hiring practices, and community investment.
We stand on the shoulders of Black pioneers in the cannabis industry who paved the way for businesses like ours to exist. People like Wanda James, who became one of the first Black dispensary owners in the country, or Dasheeda Dawson, who’s been a tireless advocate for cannabis equity. These trailblazers fought through barriers we can barely imagine, and their work made it possible for us to build Kush Groove. We honor them by continuing the fight for justice and equity in this space.
Education is a cornerstone of our mission. We’re committed to raising awareness about cannabis justice reform and how decades of discriminatory enforcement have devastated Black families and communities. We partner with organizations working to expunge cannabis-related convictions, support formerly incarcerated individuals reentering society, and advocate for policies that prioritize equity in the legal cannabis market. Our customers deserve to know the full story, and we’re here to tell it.
We also believe in building economic power through collaboration. That’s why we prioritize working with other Black-owned businesses and suppliers whenever possible. From our packaging suppliers to our marketing partners, we’re intentional about keeping dollars circulating within our community. When Black-owned businesses support each other, we create a stronger economic network that benefits everyone.
Giving back is non-negotiable for us. We’ve established mentorship programs that connect aspiring Black entrepreneurs with the resources, knowledge, and networks they need to break into the cannabis industry. We support community initiatives focused on Black youth, providing educational opportunities and showing young people that there’s a place for them in this growing industry. We also contribute to organizations doing critical work around criminal justice reform and community healing.
For our customers who want to support Black-owned businesses in the cannabis space, here’s what you can do: Be intentional about where you spend your money. Research the ownership of the dispensaries and brands you support. Share Black-owned businesses with your networks. Advocate for equity programs in your local cannabis markets. And understand that supporting Black-owned businesses isn’t just good for our community—it’s essential for creating a cannabis industry that’s truly diverse, equitable, and representative of the people who’ve been most affected by prohibition.
The future of the cannabis industry depends on who gets to shape it. At Kush Groove, we’re committed to ensuring that Black voices, Black leadership, and Black excellence are central to that future. This Black History Month, we celebrate how far we’ve come, honor those who made our journey possible, and recommit to the work that still needs to be done.
Thank you for supporting Black-owned businesses. Thank you for being part of our community. And thank you for believing that a more equitable cannabis industry is possible. We’re building it together, one day at a time.