DC Sweet Potato Cake Reopens After Reflection and Renewal: A Call to Support Small Businesses Across America

DC Sweet Potato Cake Reopens After Reflection and Renewal: A Call to Support Small Businesses Across America

Former white-collar crimes lawyer April N. Richardson shares a powerful message with local entrepreneurs and communities nationwide, urging renewed support for small businesses in a rapidly changing economy.

Washington, DC – After closing her bakery for a month to refresh her business, April N. Richardson, Esq., Co-Owner of DC Sweet Potato Cake, has reopened with more than just a new brand. Having left her career as a white-collar crimes lawyer with the federal government to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams, April is calling on communities across the country to reflect on the importance of supporting small businesses in their neighborhoods. Her open letter is not just a personal story but a nationwide call to action for local businesses that are struggling in today's economy.

Open Letter to Communities and Entrepreneurs Across America
From April N. Richardson, Esq.

When we temporarily closed our doors in July, it wasn’t just to get new equipment or rebrand. It was a moment to reflect. Over the past two years, we’ve faced challenges we never expected, and I realized how quickly the world—and downtown communities across the U.S.—are changing. They are leaving small businesses behind.

In 2022, when we first opened in the heart of downtown DC, we hoped people would embrace us as part of their community. We opened when other corporate owned restaurants left, determined to bring something sweet to an otherwise difficult time. But even with amazing baked goods and friendly smiles, there were days when we watched people pass by, choosing new places instead of local businesses like ours.

I remember one week when only 20 customers walked through our doors. Even so, we opened again the next week, and I made sure to pay my employees so they could keep their jobs, despite the challenges we faced. That’s what small businesses do—we show up, even when it’s hard, because we believe in our communities. And we hold on to the hope that our communities believe in us, too.

I left a wonderful career in white-collar crimes law with the federal government to build this bakery—a true entrepreneur's dream. But that dream should never become a nightmare. Across the country, small businesses like mine are holding on by a thread, while foot traffic fades and people are drawn to new ventures. Many of us are quietly struggling, even as we provide jobs, pay taxes, and keep local economies alive.

While we were closed, I noticed something else. I watched as restaurants and small businesses, desperate for foot traffic, begged influencers to review them, hoping it would bring people through their doors. It was disheartening. Has it really come to the point where we need an outsider’s approval to remind people that local spots matter? It felt like we were back in high school, waiting for the "cool kids" to tell us what’s worthy of our time and attention.

But why should we need an influencer to validate what’s already great in our own cities and towns? Businesses like mine—small, local, and deeply rooted in their communities—depend on you, not outsiders. We’re not just here to sell cakes. We’re here to be part of the fabric of our neighborhoods.

Many of you will read this and nod your heads, thinking, “She’s right.” But the truth is—I don’t want to be right. I want to be proven wrong. I want to see the commitment to small businesses revived, not just for DC Sweet Potato Cake but for all the little guys across America who took a bet on your desire to have us here.

With DEI programs being rolled back and the memory of George Floyd fading from the forefront, it’s easy to see how quickly disparity can return when we stop paying attention. It’s as if the further we move from those pivotal moments, the easier it becomes to forget the commitments we once made—to stand for equity, to support our communities, and to invest in businesses that reflect those values.

In this game of entrepreneurship, I’ve never leaned on my womanhood or my Blackness to guilt anyone into supporting me. But I won’t shy away from reminding you that businesses like mine—small, Black-owned, and local—matter. So many of us are being quietly pushed out, not just because of rising costs but because people have stopped voting with their dollars.

As we reopen our doors, we’re filled with hope. Hope that you’ll remember the little bakery that chose to stay when so many others left. Hope that you’ll choose to support us, not just because we’re local, but because we’re a part of what makes this city—and this country—special.

Thank you for giving us a place in your hearts and in your communities. We can’t wait to continue sharing sweet moments with you, one cake at a time. See you on Sept. 18th!

With heartfelt gratitude,
April N. Richardson, Esq.

About DC Sweet Potato Cake:
Bringing the warmth of unique sweet potato desserts to the heart of Washington, DC. It is dedicated to creating delicious, meaningful experiences while celebrating resilience and community. Located just two blocks from the White House, the bakery continues to serve locals and visitors alike. Their products are found in local Wegmans, Safeway, and QVC.

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