By Andrea Stevens
AFRO Staff Writer
astevens@afro.com
Across Maryland, Black-owned businesses founded by military veterans are building stronger communities through entrepreneurship, service and family legacy. From gourmet kitchens to cybersecurity firms and laundry services, these veteran entrepreneurs are using the skills they gained in uniform to create jobs and lasting impact.
B’More Mojo
B’More Mojo is a carry-out restaurant in Owings Mills, launched during the Covid-19 pandemic by Marine Corps veteran Nathaniel Batey, his wife and their son, a trained chef. The family had already been running a food truck but decided to take a leap when the opportunity for a permanent space opened up.
“My son was an executive chef at a hotel before the pandemic,” Batey said. “When everything shut down, we pivoted. We had the food truck and were using a kitchen as a commissary. The building’s owner suggested opening a carry-out, and we gave it a try.”
B’More Mojo offers handcrafted burgers, wings, cheesesteaks and breakfast sandwiches. All meat is ground in-house using a brisket and sirloin mix, and their wings are served with a variety of house-made sauces. Batey, who served in Vietnam and later retired after working for 42 years at the Social Security Administration, reflected on his unexpected journey into entrepreneurship.
“I never planned to be a business owner,” he said. “But being a veteran teaches you how to adapt. My son needed a kitchen and I saw an opportunity to help. Now I’m running a business in my 70s, and it’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve done.”
Black Fox Group
In Prince George’s County, Black Fox Group, founded in 2018 by retired Army senior leader Marcellus “Fox” Wade, is transforming veteran leadership into high-level tech consulting. The company provides cybersecurity, IT consulting and data analytics services to both government agencies and private-sector clients. Black Fox Group is a certified service-disabled, veteran-owned small business. The firm is steadily growing and seeks to support the next generation of professionals through mentorship and training opportunities in tech fields.
The firm holds several international business management certifications, and has earned multiple awards, including the 2021 University of Connecticut School of Business Veteran Impact Award, the 2022 Department of Labor HIREVet Medallion Gold Award, and the 2023 SBA Veteran‑Owned Small Business of the Year Award. The firm’s mission is to empower clients through technology and sustainable solutions while bridging gaps for communities in need.
The Laundry Basket
The Laundry Basket, founded by Army veteran Hyacinth Tucker, began in Maryland and has since expanded into Northern Virginia, Northeast Ohio and even Toronto, Canada. Tucker started the business after recognizing a need while helping a friend.
“I was visiting a friend and saw how I could help take something off her plate,” she said. “That moment inspired me to start the business.”
Now in its third year, The Laundry Basket offers full‑service wash‑and‑fold, eco‑friendly cleaning and delivery. Tucker credits her military background, teamwork, attention to detail and mission focus with enabling and sustaining the business.
“Those values have helped me grow in ways I never imagined,” she said.
Dobbs Defense Solutions
Dobbs Defense Solutions (D2S), based in Baltimore, was founded in 2019 by Erica Dobbs. After over a decade of service in the United States Navy, Dobbs built D2S to deliver mission-driven solutions to federal clients while creating opportunities for underrepresented communities.
D2S specializes in cybersecurity, systems engineering and mission support for the Department of Defense and other national security clients. The company is a certified service-disabled, veteran-owned small business and is focused on recruiting and mentoring the next generation of diverse tech talent.
Dobbs is committed to building a legacy of service and excellence. D2S emphasizes integrity, innovation and community impact as core business values.
RightDirection Technology Solutions LLC (RDTS)
Based in Baltimore and founded in 2007 by Marine Corps veteran Joey Hutchins, RightDirection Technology Solutions LLC (RDTS) helps government agencies use technology more effectively and securely. Its work includes improving computer systems, protecting digital information, supporting help desks, and making sure projects run smoothly.
RightDirection is a certified service‑disabled, veteran‑owned small business and is also recognized by several federal programs that support small and minority‑owned companies. The company has worked with major agencies like the IRS and the National Institutes of Health, helping them manage data, improve software, and stay up to date with the latest technology.