Legacy moves forward when the next generation refuses to let it stand still. Detroit’s Black-owned businesses are more than brick and mortar—they are cultural landmarks, economic engines, and pillars of the community. This is part two of a continuing series on Detroit’s Black generational businesses, highlighting those who have cemented their place in the city’s history while forging new paths forward. The stories of Baker’s Bible and Bookstore, Harry’s Barbershop, and Chapman’s Jewelry represent the deep roots of entrepreneurship, resilience, and community. These businesses continue to thrive because of a commitment to excellence, legacy, and the people they serve.
Chapman’s Jewelry has been family-owned since the 1960s, built on Eli Chapman’s vision of ownership and generational wealth. A bus driver by trade, he understood the value of having something to pass down. His grandson, Max Chapman, now runs the business alongside his brother and cousin, upholding the same values that built its foundation. “Chapman’s Jewelry was started in the 1960s in Detroit by my grandfather Eli Chapman with the intention of building something that he could pass along to his sons. He was a bus driver for the city of Detroit but always had a vision and strong entrepreneurial spirit. I am very honored, along with my brother and cousin, to continue that legacy today as the third generation of owners of Chapman’s Jewelry,” said Chapman.
Chapman’s Jewelry represents a long-standing commitment to family and community. “For our family, the business has been so instrumental in allowing us to not only work and build together as a family, but also to pour into the community that we serve. We are blessed to have so many long-standing clients who have been with us from the beginning. I think for me as a third-generation owner, it is always gratifying to see people come in with jewelry or watches that they bought from my uncle or my grandfather over 30 years ago.”
Chapman acknowledged the city’s role in supporting legacy businesses. “We are very thankful to the city of Detroit, Council President Mary Sheffield, and Lauren Stovall with the Institute of Legacy Preservation for supporting us, and really seeing us as valued drivers of our city economy. I think legacy businesses offer a unique glimpse into the past in a lot of ways because our core values of offering great customer service and high-quality products have stayed the same through multiple generations. I would also say we represent a look into the future because we all share the common goal of wanting to continue to grow and take the next steps forward. We want to be leaders and continue to drive the city forward. I
don’t know that any of that is possible without not only the support of the city of Detroit but also so many great people who have continued to patronize our businesses over the years.”
Harry’s Barbershop has been in its current location at 14512 Mack Ave. since May of 1977. “Prior to that, our late dad, Curtis Harry, opened his first brick and mortar not too far away, on Freud and Lenox. We have been in the community for decades,” said Kimberly Harry. “Our dad believed in community, he believed in hard work and perseverance, he believed in being authentic and providing his customers with top-notch service. He also believed in networking and working collaboratively with the community.”
Harry’s Barbershop continues to be a space where connections are built and knowledge is passed down. “Not only did customers receive a great haircut, but often great advice, and lifelong lessons—something they looked forward to! It remains a place where customers and neighbors can stop in for a haircut, stop in to talk politics or to hear a good joke, or just great conversation. It was and remains a cornerstone of the community. Honesty, authenticity, and hard work! Our dad believed you never meet a stranger…everyone must be treated with respect and dignity. He believed and always honored that philosophy.”
Harry’s Barbershop has become a multigenerational tradition. “There are people who fondly remember their very first haircut at Harry’s, and many of those same customers have brought their sons and grandsons to Harry’s. It’s part of a family tradition that continues. Harry’s Barbershop has always been about serving the community, and that will be our continued focus moving forward.”
Walter Baker’s passion for entrepreneurship started early. Raised in Alabama, Baker and his family moved to Detroit when he was nine years old. By age 11, he had established his own paper route and was actively learning how to generate profits and build up a consistent clientele. “I learned from being a paperboy how to manage pennies. Back then you made three cents on a paper,” Baker recalled. “So I learned how to keep my paper route booked.”
Over the years, Baker’s interest in entrepreneurship grew as he enrolled in business and vocational classes in high school. By 1970, Baker got the chance to put his business acumen to work in the real world. “I went to visit my grandmother in Alabama and had the opportunity to purchase a [sundries] store,” he said.
Jumping on the opportunity, Baker spent the next seven years navigating the world of small business ownership as he ran the brick-and-mortar store and gained important skills that
would stay with him over a lifetime in business. “I learned quite a bit about business at the market,” he said. “How to go about calculating percentages, how to go about marking up [products], and things you’ve got to do in business.”
By 1978, Baker was ready to explore new avenues of entrepreneurship. After selling the general store in Alabama, he returned to Detroit and spent the next 15 years earning trade licenses and working as a self-employed contractor. In 1993, Baker found his calling when he opened Baker’s Bible and Bookstore at 10200 Grand River Ave. “We are in our second generation and thank God daily for simply still being here! It’s a blessing,” shared Carla Baker.
In the early 1990s, after saving money to invest in a business together with his daughter, Carla, and son, Kelsey, Baker called a family meeting to discuss ideas. “We had some options, and we settled on the bookstore because we are, of course, very religious people.”
“As a family, we all kind of came together and said, ‘hey, we want to support this and want to do what we can to create a family business,’” Carla Baker recalled. The bookstore, which has remained in the same location in Detroit since it opened over 27 years ago, quickly established itself as a popular resource for the city’s religious community.
These businesses stand as living proof of what it means to build something that outlives you. Detroit recognizes their value, and through the city’s grant program, they have received the investment needed to continue their work. Over $300,000 in grants have been awarded to 16 legacy businesses to assist with building beautification, business consulting, and operational improvements. This investment ensures that these businesses continue to serve their communities for generations to come.
Detroit’s Black-owned businesses represent decades of resilience, hard work, and community engagement. Their success is a reminder that legacy is carried forward through intention, dedication, and the willingness to adapt. The next generation is watching, learning, and preparing to take the baton. This is what legacy in motion looks like.
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