Tourism Accelerator Previous Cohorts
2025 Cohort
Baraka and Bilal
Baraka and Bilal provide hand-crafted, flavorful dishes that showcase East African traditions and are available for events seeking unique, memorable cuisine. Founded in 2013, by UWEAST (United Women of East Africa Support Team), this initiative empowers refugee women by teaching them entrepreneurial skills that honor their cultural heritage.
Owner: Sahra Abdi | Black, woman-owned business
Info: 6553 University Ave. San Diego, CA 92115 | [email protected] | (619) 501-7804
Bloom & Rooted
Bloom & Rooted is San Diego’s premier partner for luxury plant and floral design. We specialize in curating bespoke plant rentals, native floral displays, and event decor that embodies the timeless beauty of Southern California’s landscape. We also offer eco-conscious floral installations that reflect San Diego’s commitment to sustainability and the environment.
Owner: Felicia Booker | Black, woman-owned business
Info: 1835 Imperial Ave San Diego, CA 92123 | [email protected]| (858) 717-4426
CatchHer IceCream
CatchHer IceCream is an homemade, upscale, adults-only, liquor-infused ice cream brand.
Owner: Sheena Lyte | Black, woman-owned business
Info: 9932 Mesa Rim Road, Ste A San Diego, CA 92121 | [email protected] | (213) 802-5155
Flour Atelier
Flour Atelier is a boutique modern bakery specializing in Asian inspired flavors from the Philippines and Japan.
Owner: Chrisell Nguyen | Asian, woman-owned business
Info: 4240 Kearny Mesa Rd 116, San Diego, California 92111 | [email protected] | (619) 321-9927
Movement Matters Collective
Movement Matters Collective is a community-focused health and wellness organization offering inclusive, accessible movement experiences. We provide pilates, dance, and yoga classes to promote physical and mental well-being in our boutique wellness space, as well as tailored wellness services for organizations, events, and conventions.
Owner: Latoya Mckelvin-Westpoint | Black, woman-owned business
Info: 3014 C St. Unit E, San Diego, California 92102 | [email protected] | (315) 516-6274
Mujeres Brew House
Mujeres Brew House is San Diego's first and only all-female and Latina-owned and operated craft brewery in San Diego.
Owner: Carmen A. Velasco Favela | Latina, woman-owned business
Info: 1983 Julian Ave San Diego, CA 92113 | [email protected] | (619) 213-4340
Purpose First
Purpose First is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that hosts community cleanup events in San Diego. We provide education, sponsor eco-friendly events, and have rescued over 7,000 lbs of trash from entering the ocean.
Owner: Gregor Coffaro | Veteran-owned business
Info: 960 Sapphire St. San Diego, CA 92109 | [email protected] | (619) 490-3078
Sunny Bites Food Tours
Sunny Bites Food Tours offers immersive walking food tours that showcase the culinary gems and local culture of San Diego’s off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods, starting with North Park. By partnering with local businesses, we provide guests with a unique and flavorful experience that supports the community while highlighting the rich history and vibrant food scene of each area.
Owner: Rachel Murray | Woman-owned business
Surje Coffee Co.
Surje Coffee is a dairy-free, gluten-free specialty coffee shop, offering culturally inspired coffee mocktails and community-centered events. We also provide catering through our mobile coffee cart, delivering our unique coffee experiences to off-site events, expanding our reach and customer base.
Owner: Valerie Urrutia | Latina, woman-owned business
Info: [email protected] | (626) 419-1732
The Old Town Soap Company
The Old Town Soap Company is a Black, Woman, and Veteran-Owned personal care and wellness brand based in UTC. We specialize in zero-waste, plant-based products like soaps, body butters, serums, and beard oils, alongside unique soap-making classes. We provide endless possibilities for product customization for retail and wholesale customers.
Owner: Ernestine Brown | Veteran, Black, woman-owned business
Blulite Bonfires
BluLite Bonfires is a family-owned and operated service dedicated to curating unforgettable beach experiences that leave lasting memories and contribute to the improvement and sustainability of our beach community.
Owner: Rene Contreras | Hispanic/Latino-owned business
Info: 1864 Thomas Avenue San Diego, CA 92109 | [email protected] | (858) 349-0074
Danielle Monique Designs
Danielle Monique Designs is a full-service event design company specializing in elevated floral and balloon decor.
Owner: Danielle Rainey | Black, woman-owned business
Info: 6768 Rio Plato Court San Diego, CA 92114 | [email protected] | (901) 340-7155
McClean Photography
McClean Photography provides exceptional Commercial and Health Care Art that promotes healing and well-being. All artwork is created by Coast Guard Veteran, Brian McClean. Brian is a passionate photographer with a unique vision for capturing beauty and inspiration in the world.
Owner: Brian McClean | Veteran, Service-disabled, Black-owned business
Info: 4422 Alabama St. Apt 4 San Diego, CA 92116 | [email protected] | (907) 738-6789
Love & Bake (formerly Mya’s Catering Company)
Love & Bake is a baking company that bakes nostalgic desserts with love in every bite. We offer pickup, delivery, personal orders and services for events.
Owner: Amaya Ford | Black, woman-owned business
Info: 6426 Skyline Drive San Diego, CA 92114 | [email protected] | (619) 415-4259
Neet Sheets
Neet Sheets is ergonomic, patented, and innovative bed linen that addresses the stressful and challenging task of bed-making. Our sheets decrease bed-making time by 47% and reduce mattress lifting efforts by 75%.
Owner: Ruth Young-Loaeza | Hispanic/Latino, woman-owned business
Info: 9450 Mira Mesa Blvd, Suite C #306 San Diego, CA 92126 | [email protected] | (619) 366-0177
Point Loma Tea
Point Loma Tea is a specialty loose leaf tea shop, tea bar and tea room and gift boutique.
Owner: Sherryann Stevenson | Veteran, Black, woman-owned business
Info: 2770 Historic Decatur Road, Bldg 14, Ste 103San Diego, CA 92106 | [email protected] | (619) 598-8500
Ringer’s Roller Rink
Ringer’s Roller Rink is San Diego’s premier outdoor roller skating experience, offering a vibrant atmosphere for people of all ages to enjoy.
Owner: Nili Goldfarb | Middle Eastern, woman-owned business
Info: 6060 Federal Boulevard San Diego, CA 92114 | [email protected] | (619) 889-1550
S&S Friendly Ranch
S&S Friendly Ranch serves as a premiere venue and agricultural host in the Tijuana River Valley for events and local partnerships that foster an environment of learning, financial empowerment, and collective work. As a Black-owned and operated neighborhood ranch, our story began in 1980 and we’re 3 generations into stewarding the land.
Owner: Diamond Brandon | Black, woman-owned business
Info: 2105 Hollister St. San Diego, CA 92154 | [email protected] | (619) 900-5369
The Mental Bar
The Mental Bar is your own personal source for the highest quality coffee and tea. Our emphasis on serving our therapeutic and restorative refreshments are what set us apart.
Owner: Daneyel Walker | Black, woman-owned business
Info: 6325 Imperial Ave, Suite 103 San Diego, CA 92114 | [email protected] | (619) 438-1036
The Studio Door
The Studio Door is Hillcrest’s premier art gallery, showcasing an array of contemporary masterpieces alongside of artist studios.
Owner: Patric Stillman | LGBTQ+ owned business
Info: 3867 4th Avenue San Diego, CA 92103 | [email protected] | (619) 994-2263
In 2023, the San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) announced its next Tourism Accelerator cohort. The initiative, one of the first of its kind in the country, is designed to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the local tourism industry by providing free membership, mentoring, education and networking opportunities to businesses owned by people of color, women, veterans and those who identify as LGBTQ+.
The second-ever cohort, which was selected from nearly 50 applicants, reflects the diversity of the region and the industry, embracing a wide range of business types with owners from a variety of backgrounds. They include:
Négociant is an urban winery located in Hillcrest’s Uptown District.
Owners – John Rinaldi and Mike Baker
Veteran, LGBTQ+-owned business
Hey Sugar is a Southern Comfort dessert shop that provides nostalgic treats that remind you of the good old days.
Owner – Chantanaya Buie
Black, veteran, woman-owned business
Supporting local, women, Black, Indigenous and people of color-owned brands, SIP Wine & Beer makes beer and wine fun, engaging and accessible.
Owner – Cassandra Schaeg
Black, woman-owned business
Educates, inspires, and connects youth living in underserved Pacific coastal communities through the study of migratory marine life.
Owner – Janaira Quigley
Woman-owned business
Kebab Craft is a fast-casual Mediterranean eatery with a California flair.
Owner – Shannon Salhany
Black, woman-owned business
Valdes Language Services provides top quality translation and interpretation services with the goal of bridging the English-Spanish language gap in San Diego.
Owner – Laura Valdes
Hispanic/LatinX, woman-owned business
JA Cooley Museum / Frank the Trainman
JA Cooley Museum was founded by Jim & Carmen Cooley in 1997. Jim passed away in 2019 and Carmen, an immigrant from Mexico, continues to operate the museum with the help of her daughter, Carmen.
Owner – Carmen Cooley Graham
Hispanic/LatinX, woman-owned business
A photo booth business offering two options for events: a PRO and a MINI. One is a printing photo booth (PRO), and one is a digital booth (MINI).
Owner – Lucy Yates
Hispanic/LatinX, woman-owned business
FeMAVEN Getaways is a modern approach to travel, with curated getaways, allowing female travelers to discover the world with like-minded women while indulging in new experiences.
Owner – Jazmin Cornejo
Hispanic/LatinX, Indigenous/Native American, woman-owned business
Ortega's is a full service upscale casual Mexican restaurant with dine in, take out, a private banquet room, and a full bar.
Owner – John Haugland
LGBTQ+, Guamanian-owned business
In 2022, The San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) announced the first participants selected for its Tourism Accelerator pilot program. The initiative, one of the first of its kind in the country, is designed to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the local tourism industry by providing free membership, mentoring, education and networking opportunities to businesses owned by people of color, women, veterans and those who identify as LGBTQ+.
The first cohort, which was selected from nearly 50 applicants, reflects the diversity of the region and the industry, embracing a wide range of business types with owners from a variety of backgrounds. They include:
Provider of portable access mats that ensure stable surfaces for mobility device users to easily access outdoor recreation over sand, grass, gravel and snow.
Owner - Kelly Twichel
Female-owned business
A full-service marketing and PR agency focused exclusively on the hospitality industry.
Owner – William Lopez
Hispanic/Latinx, LGBTQ+-owned business
Bar and restaurant.
Owner – Cristian Liang
Asian-owned business
Jamaican cuisine caterer and food truck.
Owner - Jacinth (Elaine) Williams
Black, Jamaican, female-owned business
Improvisational comedy shows and classes.
Owner - Amy Lisewski
LGBTQ+, female-owned business
Creative-youth developer and technical training company in the field of video and photography.
Owner – Regina V. Greenlee
Black, veteran-owned business
Lesbian/LGBTQ+bar.
Owner – Moe Girton
LGBTQ+, woman-owned business
A boutique travel and event company with concierge-style services.
Owner – Nita Cintron
Black, woman-owned business
Luxury picnic event company.
Owner – Lauren Kimmons
Woman-owned business
Event company with a focus on empowering diverse communities.
Owner – Lauren Garces
Asian, African-American, woman-owned business