Whitehaven Black Restaurant Week returns: Good eats, music and much more.

Whitehaven Black Restaurant Week is back.

Whitehaven Black Restaurant Week took place in January to commemorate the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday for its first two years. Last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was combined with I Love Whitehaven Week in November, which celebrated all things Whitehaven and its rich economy.

This year's new slot is the week leading up to the Juneteenth holiday from June 12-19.

Pearl Walker, founder and executive director of the I Love Whitehaven Neighborhood and Business Association, said the intention was to encourage consumers to celebrate Juneteenth in a productive way.

"We just want people to be intentional about where their dollars are going, especially during the season of Juneteenth because this is a way to support, honor, reflect and remember our ancestors with our ability to support and sustain economic development," Walker said.

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Here are four things to know about Whitehaven Black Restaurant Week.

New restaurants participating

Eleven restaurants will participate this year. Many of the restaurants have participated in years prior including Bala’s Bistro, Chopmasters Kitchen, Fabulous Flavors and Friends, Kountry Cookin' Soul Food, Lenny’s #45, Lucky Chow, Smooth Living and Uncle Lou’s Fried Chicken.

The list has a few new additions including Kaye's Pints and Scoops, The Vineyard and Memphis Smokes Cigar Lounge.

Gregory Price, owner of The Vineyard, said as someone from Whitehaven, it's an honor to be included in the celebration.

"We just encourage people to come out and give us a try. We're still fairly new in the neighborhood, and we want to get the word out to let people know that we're here," Price said.

"We got great food, we're from the neighborhood and we just want to keep the legacy going."

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Pop-ups and surprises

Walker said some restaurants may offer specials throughout the week and a few surprise meet-ups are possible. To find out when and where, follow the Ujamaa Whitehaven Business Directory Facebook page for more details.

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Walker cited pandemic recovery as a driving force behind this week and asked people to support businesses at their menu prices.

"This is not about the hookups or discounts," she said. "This is about support."

You also might find Councilwoman Patrice Robinson stopping by one of her favorite eateries in Whitehaven.

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"I try to go to a different restaurant during the week so that I can encourage other people to come, and I show my support of all the restaurants here in Whitehaven," she said. "For our economic development, we would like people to come visit us. Just like we run down to Southaven, just stop in Whitehaven. It is an awesome place."

You don't have to leave home

Conscious of the pandemic, Walker said she understands that people may be wary to eat out, but encourages those looking to support Whitehaven's restaurants from a distance by ordering takeout.

Many of the restaurants participating are on food delivery service apps including DoorDash, Uber Eats and Postmates.

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Musical entertainment

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On June 16, visitors are invited to a Jazz and Juneteenth gathering at Smooth Living restaurant at 4412 Elvis Presley Blvd. for the introduction of the Ujamaa Whitehaven  Business Directory, which will be a website listing all the Black-owned businesses in Whitehaven. The event will feature a live performance by Memphis-based musician Tony XP Ivory from 6-8 p.m.

Astrid Kayembe covers South Memphis, Whitehaven and Westwood. She can be reached at astrid.kayembe@commercialappeal.com, (901) 304-7929 or on Twitter @astridkayembe_.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Whitehaven Black Restaurant Week: Entertainment, restaurants, and more