Nia Grace

 

Nia Grace is an award-winning entrepreneur, recently named by *The Boston Globe* as the 2023 "Restauranteur of the Year." Featured prominently in local and national media, her work and influence have been acknowledged in publications such as *The Boston Globe*, *Boston Magazine*, *EATER Boston*, *Time Out Boston*, and *The Boston Business Journal*. 

Nia has worked in the restaurant hospitality industry for over 20 years, driven by her passion for creating spaces that bring together friends, food, and music. Her leadership has transformed dining into an experiential journey, exemplified by her popular venues, Darryl’s Corner Bar and Kitchen and Grace By Nia, which have been named top Boston restaurants and entertainment destinations.

Beyond her hospitality ventures, Nia is committed to fostering community and belonging. Before purchasing her first restaurant, she dedicated a decade to the nonprofit sector, fundraising and marketing for community-based human service organizations. Her career led her to collaborate on projects with MTV, HBO Def Poetry, The Major League Baseball Players Trust, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Active in her community, Nia is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. She has served on boards for the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts and the Boston Cultural Council and is currently committed to boards like the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, Boston Center for Youth and Families, the Roxbury YMCA, and Meet Boston – The Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Among her accolades, Nia was most recently listed as a "Power 50 Movement Maker" by the *Boston Business Journal* and was acknowledged in the "40 Under 40" class of 2020. She is a recipient of the prestigious Pinnacle Award sponsored by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce for her outstanding leadership as an Emerging Executive. *Boston Magazine* recognized her as one of "The 100 Most Influential Bostonians" for 2021 and 2022, and the *Boston Business Journal* honored her in 2023 as one of five "Women Who Mean Business"