Southern Roots Vegan Bakery, founded in 2018 by Cara and Marcus Pitts in San Antonio, is proving that vegan desserts can combine taste and ethics. The Black- and woman-owned business started as Cara’s hobby and grew into a nationwide success inspired by Marcus’s transition to a plant-based diet. The Pitts have self-funded their bakery, overcoming challenges with limited capital and earning support through grants like the Fearless Fund Women of Color Grant.
The couple’s community-focused approach includes initiatives like donating over 1,000 treats to essential workers during the pandemic and collaborating with the San Antonio Food Bank. They’ve also perfected recipes, such as their signature donuts, after months of testing and now create many ingredients from scratch.
Southern Roots ships to all 50 states, features on Amazon, and partners with local establishments like the Grand Hyatt Riverwalk. They’re expanding to Sprouts Farmers Market locations and aim for national recognition, with dreams of being featured in Oprah’s Favorite Things.
The Pitts credit their success to teamwork, balancing Marcus’s strengths in logistics with Cara’s focus on operations. They remain committed to innovation, including plans to become dye-free, and are inspired by other Black entrepreneurs like Tabitha Brown. As they grow, Southern Roots Vegan Bakery continues to make waves in the vegan dessert world.
