Fed up with anti‑Black violence and feeling that ‘America does not deserve [them],’ many Black Americans are choosing to “blaxit,” or exit the U.S. for new lives abroad from Costa Rica to Mexico City.

With no formal culinary training and zero hospitality experience, Tiara Darnell fearlessly launched Blaxicocina, Mexico City’s first and only soul‑food restaurant, building community by serving the classics with a Mexican twist–fried chicken, cornbread, collard greens, and more to locals and expats alike.

Washington, D.C.‑born Tiara Darnell made history by opening Blaxicocina—the first and only soul‑food restaurant in Mexico City—bringing generations of family recipes like fried chicken, cornbread, and collard greens to locals and expats alike.

Tiara Darnell brought Blaxicocina to Mexico City, combining soul food’s comforting roots with Mexican flavors and traditions to create a vibrant culinary and community space.

Black American entrepreneurs—including Tiara Darnell, William ‘Bud’ Lee, Mark Bishop and Brian Gerrard—have built thriving businesses in Mexico, blending U.S. roots with local opportunity to realize their entrepreneurial dreams.

Blaxicocina, Mexico City’s only soul food restaurant, founded by queer, Black, Washington, D.C. native Tiara Darnell, serves a heartfelt taste of home to ex‑pats and LGBTQ+ locals alike.

In Episode 65 (12:12-13:26), Tiara Darnell shares how family-rooted soul‑food pop‑ups evolved into her restaurant, Blaxicocina, Mexico City’s first Black‑owned soul‑food joint where she blends ancestral recipes with Mexican ingredients to nourish community, identity, and belonging abroad.

In this episode, restaurant entrepreneur, Tiara Darnell, discusses the process of starting a business in Mexico City, her dreams for the culinary experience and community she’s building, and experiences working cross-culturally and balancing love and business with her partner, a Mexican national.

In episode 65 of the Blaxit Global podcast, Tiara Darnell takes listeners on a journey through how a family‑rooted pop‑up in Maryland transformed into Blaxicocina—Mexico City’s first Black‑owned soul‑food restaurant—where she blends ancestral recipes with Mexican ingredients to build community and find belonging abroad.