We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lyana Blount. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lyana below.

Lyana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think it takes to be successful?

I believe that success comes from a deep passion for what you do, the ability to adapt to challenges, and a strong connection with your community. My journey began during the COVID-19 lockdown when I decided to turn my passion for traditional Caribbean and African-American cuisine into a vegan pop-up kitchen. This was not just about starting a business; it was about preserving my cultural heritage through food, while also making it healthier and accessible to a wider audience.

Success for me has been about innovating within the space of vegan cuisine, making sure that every dish I create carries the warmth and love of the meals I grew up with. It’s also about the feedback I receive from people who appreciate not just the food, but the story and culture behind it. Engaging with my community—whether at food festivals, through social media, or at pop-up events in the Bronx—has been crucial. It’s these connections that help spread the word about Black Rican Vegan and bring more people to experience our unique blend of flavors.

Every challenge, from recipe development to logistics, has been a learning opportunity. Adapting to these challenges and continuously improving has helped me grow not just a business, but a community that supports and enjoys what I do. This journey has taught me that success is more than financial; it’s about making an impact and leaving a legacy that others can draw inspiration from.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Lyana Blount, the heart and soul behind Black Rican Vegan. My journey into the culinary world started from a deep-rooted passion for the rich flavors of my Puerto Rican and African-American heritage. Growing up, food was a central part of family gatherings, a way to communicate love and tradition. As I embraced a vegan lifestyle, I was driven by the challenge of reinventing traditional dishes using plant-based ingredients without losing the essence of their original taste and cultural significance.

Black Rican Vegan began as a small pop-up concept in New York City, born out of the COVID-19 pandemic when I decided to channel my culinary creativity into a business. What sets Black Rican Vegan apart is our commitment to crafting vegan versions of beloved Caribbean and soul food dishes, making them accessible and enjoyable to a broader audience, including those who might not typically explore vegan options.

Our services extend beyond just serving food; we provide an experience that merges cultural heritage with health-conscious eating. The dishes I create are more than just meals; they are a narrative of my life, my family, and the vibrancy of NYC’s diverse communities. From pop-up events to participation in major food festivals, every plate served is a conversation about culture, sustainability, and innovation in vegan cuisine.

I am most proud of how Black Rican Vegan has managed to resonate with so many people, bridging gaps between diverse cultures and dietary preferences. Our unique approach to vegan cooking—maintaining authenticity while innovating—has been recognized and celebrated at venues like the New York Times Food Festival and Vegandale.

To potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that Black Rican Vegan is about more than food. It’s about community, heritage, and pushing the boundaries of what vegan cuisine can be. Whether you’re a long-time vegan or a curious foodie, my goal is to provide you with unforgettable meals that not only taste incredible but also pay homage to the rich histories they represent.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building the social media presence for Black Rican Vegan was a strategic and interactive journey that really helped in growing the brand. Initially, it all started with sharing engaging food content on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. I focused on creating visually appealing and tempting images and videos of my vegan dishes that were rooted in Puerto Rican and African-American cuisines. This visual aspect was crucial because it not only showcased the uniqueness of my food but also demonstrated how vegan food can be vibrant and flavorful.

To further engage with my audience, I started hosting live cooking sessions. These lives were an opportunity for me to connect directly with followers, share cooking tips, and demonstrate the simplicity behind some seemingly complex dishes. These sessions became interactive spaces where people could ask questions in real-time, request recipes, and learn vegan cooking techniques directly from me.

Additionally, I organized cooking classes, which were both in-person and virtual, depending on the situation. These classes were designed to be hands-on, providing a more immersive experience. They were not only about teaching how to cook a dish but also about sharing the cultural stories behind the recipes. This educational component added depth to the cooking experience and helped strengthen the community feeling around the brand.

Customer engagement through social media was another key aspect. Many of my customers would tag Black Rican Vegan in their posts or share stories of their dining experiences. This user-generated content was invaluable as it acted as social proof that people were not only trying out the recipes but loving them enough to share with their own communities.

Overall, the strategy was to create a blend of rich content, live interactions, educational experiences, and community engagement. This approach helped Black Rican Vegan stand out on social media, attracting a dedicated following who were not just customers but became advocates for the brand. This organic growth and genuine engagement were what truly helped elevate Black Rican Vegan within the crowded digital space.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Building the reputation of Black Rican Vegan within the market has been a multifaceted effort rooted in authenticity, community engagement, and consistent quality. From the beginning, I knew that maintaining the authenticity of both Puerto Rican and African-American cuisines in a vegan format would be key. It was important to me that the flavors stayed true to their origins, which resonated well with customers who were looking for genuine taste experiences.

Community engagement has also been pivotal. By actively participating in food festivals, engaging with followers through social media live cooking sessions, and hosting vegan cooking classes, I’ve been able to connect directly with the community. This direct interaction not only helped to build a loyal customer base but also allowed me to receive real-time feedback and adjust my offerings accordingly.

Moreover, customer testimonials and social media shoutouts have significantly boosted our reputation. When customers share their positive experiences, whether it’s through a tag on Instagram or a review on other platforms, it amplifies our reach and lends credibility to Black Rican Vegan. This kind of word-of-mouth marketing has been invaluable.

Lastly, consistency in the quality of food and service has cemented our reputation. Ensuring that every dish served meets a high standard and every customer interaction is positive has helped in building trust and reliability among our patrons.

All these efforts combined have helped Black Rican Vegan carve out a niche in a competitive market and establish a strong, respected brand known for quality and authenticity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.blackricanvegan.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/blackricanvegan
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/lyanablount

Image Credits
Mariana Paleaz Eric Castro