Highlighting Black-owned businesses in El Paso

Black people make up less than 5% of El Paso’s population, according to a 2023 article from Next City. The United States military brings in Black families, some of whom make El Paso their permanent home and begin to grow their businesses. In honor of Black History Month, here are a few Black-owned businesses in El Paso. Blue Collar Shaved Ice Kenneth Broomfield, 35, is the sole owner of Blue Collar Shaved Ice. Growing up in a military family, Broomfield and his brother sold shaved ice like a lemonade stand. After graduating from college in 2011, Broomfield revisited the idea of shaved ice, starting his own business in 2013. Blue Collar Shaved Ice started in a food truck, attending numerous events and farmer’s markets throughout the city before transitioning to a shop on the second floor of The Shoppes at Solana in August 2020. Aside from this frozen treat, Blue Collar Shaved Ice also sells churros, chicken in waffles and polar ice. “The first year, it was strictly only shaved ice, and then I kinda had to shut the truck down for this two-month span, December through January-February,” Broomfield said. “To stay sustainable and to be able to operate for...