Louisville just got a historic upgrade in health care. Good Brothers Pharmacy, the city’s first Black-owned pharmacy, has officially opened its doors in the Russell neighborhood, and the excitement is real, AfroTech reports.

The vision comes from longtime friends turned founders, DeShawn King and Isaiah Jones. King, now the CEO, and Jones, the COO, have been committed to health equity since their college days, when they first noticed a need for more personalized care near Northern Kentucky University and the University of Cincinnati. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed them to think even bigger, and now their idea has transformed into a brick-and-mortar reality on West Main Street.

“Good Brothers Pharmacy is more than a business; it’s a promise,” King told WLKY Channel 32. “It’s a promise that we are going to stay here forever and we’re going to make an impact on the west Louisville community.”

And that promise shows up in every detail. The pharmacy is built on pillars of trusted relationships, patient-friendly services, community empowerment, and culturally competent care. From over-the-counter medications and health screenings to immunizations, curbside pickup, and free delivery, the space is designed to feel like more than just a stop—it’s a resource. They even offer medication therapy management, sitting down with patients to break down prescriptions and ensure no one is confused about their health plan.

“A lot of patients don’t know that. As a pharmacist, you are the first contact that a patient has for medical reasons … Some people aren’t comfortable going to hospitals or making appointments. They come here in their most vulnerable states looking for medical advice,” said Michaela Brooks, a Louisville native and the pharmacist-in-charge at Good Brothers Pharmacy.

The timing couldn’t be better. After a nearby CVS closed in 2024, residents were left with the nearest pharmacy nearly two miles away downtown. That gap in access made this grand opening even more critical for the community.

“It is awesome to be able to see the residents of West Louisville be able to have access to equitable resources,” said Nefertia Mason, a mental health practitioner in the area.

Good Brothers Pharmacy isn’t just filling prescriptions—it’s filling a need for care, representation, and connection. King and Jones have taken a dream rooted in equity and turned it into something that will make a lasting mark on West Louisville.

Cover photo: College Friends Open First Black-Owned Pharmacy in Louisville, Kentucky/Photo credit: Good Brothers RX/Instagram