Meet Zerline Hughes Spruill | Co-founder Capstone Crate & Howard University Alumni

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zerline Hughes Spruill and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zerline, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor behind the success of our brand is the people – our clients – and for us that is the Howard University Alumni community. Our business, The Capstone Crate, is built around the Howard Experience and only those who have the lived HU experience will truly understand, appreciate and make use of a Capstone Crate subscription. However, because so many others have heard about Howard and how great it is through movies, fashion, rap and influential Alumni, our clients can also include fans, supporters and lovers of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Another important factor behind The Capstone Crate is the fact that we exist to shine a spotlight on other small, Black-owned, Howard University Alumni-run businesses and brands. While some of the products we curate for The Capstone Crate are highlighted by influencers like Oprah’s Favorite Things, and Drew Barrymore’s Little Yellow Book, many of the brands we feature are unknown to the masses. It is our hope that by featuring these small businesses in our subscription box, on our social media and website, that they get more attention, and that our subscribers like what they’ve received from us and, in turn, become return and repeat customers of these brands.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
On the heels of the racial uprising which led to an outcry of support for Black businesses, along with the need to quarantine during the pandemic, we decided we wanted to personally, and professionally support more Black-owned businesses help keep them afloat, and deliver them direct to customers’ door step. With some fine-tuning, we erred on the side of exclusivity, so our business model roots for everyone who wants to love on Howard University, our alma mater: a subscription box that is filled with creations from Howard University Alumni-run businesses.

Howard was – and still is – the training ground for Black business leaders and is coined “The Capstone for Negro Education.” We aim to reflect the same in the quality of the products we offer and the echelon of service so that each person can experience the absolute best that Bison business owners have to offer.

There is a long list of Howard University graduates that are creating stellar products and services from baked goods and beverages, to housewares and apparel, but locating them is a challenge! The Capstone Crate provides subscribers the chance to get to know different types of Howard Alumni-run businesses, try their products on for size all without lifting a finger. It is also important that each box surprises and delights the recipient and leaves them wanting to purchase more products from our featured business partners. Each subscription box is themed with ideas reminiscent of our time at Howard University.

The Black community is disproportionately affected by COVID-19 – in all areas of livelihood. Black-owned, small businesses are closing their doors and facing uncertainty. So much that the Washington Post reported “the number of working African-American business owners in the United States plummeted more than 40% … a far steeper drop than other racial groups experienced.” When it comes to sustaining a productive business, promotion and marketing is necessary. The Capstone Crate aims to solve the challenge behind finding a comprehensive listing of Black-owned businesses to regularly support – not just on special occasions and Black History Month, but every day. The Capstone Crate was created to expose Howard Alumni and others to the plethora of Howard Alumni, Black-owned businesses in a thoughtful and curated way.

Black consumers are hungry to support Black businesses. Our solution is to box up as many Black businesses as possible on a quarterly basis and ship them to the doorsteps of subscribers – with a particular target audience in mind. The Capstone Crate allows an exclusive, but massive niche of consumers – Howard University Alumni – a creative way to purchase from Black-owned shops, stores and brands, and show support to our community and the Howard University school community.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
MLK Library rooftop for outdoor presentations, music and more – downtown, D.C.

Blacksonian – that’s what we call the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) to see Black history’s past, present and future! The restaurant/cafeteria is great for soul food spanning the West to the East.

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens for a picnic and wildlife watch – the nation’s only national park devoted to aquatic plant life! Lotus and lilies in July, turtles, osprey and ponds to enjoy year round.

Kennedy Center for its FREE daily performances at 6p on its Millennium Stage.

Lunch at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) – buffalo burgers, yucca fries, sauces and seasonings!

National Harbor – restaurants galore, waterfronts and an observation wheel, but I’m here for taking the ferry from there to Georgetown and/or Alexandria, VA, and back.

Black-owned eats: St. Vincent Wine for wine, charcuterie and more on Georgia Ave.; Pennyroyal Station in Mt. Rainier, Md; and custard (not ice cream) in Old Town Alexandria, VA at Mmm Goodies!

Stan’s downtown for happy hour for the best friend wings and cocktails you’ll find in D.C.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A shout out, of course, goes to Howard University who molded me and Capstone Crate’s co-founder. The encouragement of friends, whether Howard Alumni or otherwise, is also especially appreciated and very necessary. Without that nudge, that raw honesty and support, we can’t turn our ideas and dreams into realities.

Website: www.capstonecrate.com

Instagram: @capstonecrate

Facebook: /capstonecrate

Image Credits
Capstone Crate