ROCHESTER, N.Y. — August is Black-owned business month, a way to highlight the Black entrepreneurs across the country.

News10NBC TODAY was live from at Equal=Grounds, Rochester’s LGBTQ+ coffee shop on South Avenue. Monique Chatman is the owner of the business started by Harry Bronson and his husband John White-Bronson back in 2006.

Chatman’s love for coffee started with her eldest daughter. Chatman said being a business owner gives her freedom and allows her to serve others. She said that she’d rather work 24 hours a day for herself than eight hours a day for someone else.

Chatman wants everyone to feel welcome at Equal=Grounds, with people often interacting by playing board games at the coffee shop.

“I want them to feel community. When everyone walks in, everybody calls each other friend, even if you don’t know the person behind the counter,” she said.

Chatman said this month offers people time to reflect on how Black-owned business have contributed to the economy. She would like to see Black-owned businesses to collaborate and to give new businesses owners’ advice.

“Each one can each one. Because somebody has already done what you want to do successfully,” she said.