It's been a few months since the country seemed to have a collective awakening in the wake of the George Floyd's and Breonna Taylor's deaths. At that time, nothing seemed more important in our world right than making sure that Black Lives Matter.
And guess what, Black lives still matter even as the protests have quieted down. Black lives has been disregarded for a long time and it's time to stand up again systemic racism. But it isn't just about protesting, although that makes up a large part of the fight. It's also about making the world more inclusive to people of color. And making sure their voices, ideas, and livelihoods are heard, amplified, and respected.
An easy way to be an ally right this moment? Keep buying from Black-owned businesses. There are tons of Black-owned businesses to shop from and it's wild how many amazing ones there are that have yet to get the attention they deserve. Keep putting in the work.
Click through to check out some of our favorite businesses. Their products range from books to beauty to self-care items to fitness wear. And all are founded and run by Black people in the US. Some products are specifically for Black people in fact, but all can be appreciated by the rest of us, any time. Today is a good day to start.
The Honey Pot
When people think about "clean" or "organic" beauty brands, they often think of Honest Company, among others, but allow us to introduce The Honey Pot. It's a company founded by Bea Dixon that specializes in 100% natural feminine care products.
Normal Wash ($10, The Honey Pot)
Threee Chic
There are plenty of jewelry shops out there, but Philly-based Threee Chic is one of our favorites. Founder and artist Brianna M. specializes in chic, handmade, dangly-style earrings, many of which have a gold touch. Her models are women of all backgrounds, but many women of color.
The Idea Girl
Looking for a consulting business that can help brainstorm names, churn out flawless logos, or build a beautiful website? Look no further than The Idea Girl, a business dedicated to "help leaders go from business to brand through design, strategy, community, and connectivity." It was started to specifically help Black women reach their goals.
Black Girl Sunscreen
White cast from sunscreen is an annoyance for anyone, but for Black women especially. Now there's an inclusive sunscreen that is made by women of color because as they say "we get sunburned, too." According to the website, "Black Girl Sunscreen uses NO parabens, or other harmful chemicals while infusing the finest ingredients to shield and moisturize your melanated skin without the dreaded white residue common with most sunscreen."
Black Girl Sunscreen ($19, Black Girl Sunscreen)
Emanate Essentials
The self-care industry is a growing one, and for good reason. Times are stressful. It's good to find products that help alleviate that stress and simply feel good. Emanate Essentials, owned by Sha, makes natural aromatics that do just that. The company's products include bath salts, natural perfumes, soaps, body scrubs, and aromatherapy candles.
Eight6 Boutique
Fashion is always in style. Shop from a Black woman who is chic as she is business savvy. Elyse is the owner and operator of Eight6 Boutique and we can't get enough of her styles, one of which is shown here.
Beetle Juicy Maxi (39, Shop Eight6)
Brown Girls Club
Ditch the same old, same old party supplies from places like Party City and Dollar Tree. Go for items that are more unusual and representative for many children, like these party supplies form the Brown Girls Club. The business also sells children's books that owner Crystal Swain-Bates also helps write.
Party Supplies ($29, Brown Girls Club)
Y-Fit Sportswear
White fitspo influencers aren't the only ones who know how to create a fitness wear business with items that fit well and look chic. Enter Y-Fit, the fitness wear brand that has everything from leggings to tank tops and jumpsuits for men, too.
Seasoned Vegan
Yummy food? That's also vegan? Sign us up. We'd like to present, Seasoned Vegan, a Black-owned eatery based in Harlem, New York City, cooking up comfort food with a vegan twist. Chef Brenda Breener is behind the incredible menu and also can deliver nationwide.
Source Booksellers
Books are vital to an educated society and we need that education and the representation that books provide, now more than ever. Source Booksellers in Detroit, Michigan, does just that. The bookstore also has an online store. Owner Janet Webster Jones first opened the brick-and-mortar store in 2002.
Mr. Cory's Cookies
Cookies come first when it comes to Mr. Cory's Cookies and they look absolutely amazing. Three dozen handmade cookies are just $35. Mr Cory, who started the business to raise money for a car at just 6 years old, has the help of his mom, Lisa, and each work hard to make these yummy treats.
Mr Cory's Cookies, 2 dozen ($29, Mr Cory's Cookies)
Mixed Up Clothing
Bi-racial people are often left out of the race conversation, but it's important for them to know they are loved and included, too. Afrolatina Sonia Smith-Kang, the founder of Mixed Up clothing understands this more than most, and decided to create a clothing line with a focus on celebrating mixed-raced children.
Mixed Onesie ($22, Mixed Up Clothing)
Little Muffincakes Baby Boutique
Baby clothes and items all tend to look the same, but not when they're from the Little Muffincakes Baby Boutique. The store's items are inclusive of the Black community with adorably fun bibs, burping cloths, sheets, and other items that reflect who the child is.
Bibs ($15, Little Muffincakes Baby Boutique)
Harper Iman Dolls
Handmade dolls are so special, but ones that accurately reflect what all children look like is even more amazing. If American Girl isn't on the docket, there's always Harper Irman Dolls. Every doll is handmade and has a one-of-a-kind look that celebrates Black women and girls' hair texture and skin tone.
Handmade Keepsake Doll (from $98, Harper Iman Dolls)
Grace Eleyae
If one wants to spoil themselves look no further than Grace Eleyae's online store. She has everything from silk pillowcases to silk scrunchies, headwraps, and more. As she says on her website, "We design our products with your hair care in mind."
Silk Scrunchies ($38, Grace Eleyae)
Photography by Tatyanna Chamere
White photographers dominate the industry, whether it's editorial photos or wedding bookings, and it's time for that to change. Tatyanna Chamere is an extremely talented photographer with a portfolio (on her website and Instagram account) to back it up.
Strive Publishing
There can never be enough children's books in the world, especially books that tell stories about Black kids and for Black kids. That's where Strive Publishing comes in. Founded by Mary Taris, it aims to "break barriers book by book" and accepts donations on its website.
The Picture Box book ($16, Strive Publishing)
Propa Beauty
One can't go wrong with a nude lipstick. So why not get one or two from a Black-owned beauty brand that has amazing options to choose from that are designed with darker skin tones in mind. This nude called Clo$er from Propa Beauty is $12.
Clo$er Lipstick ($12, Propa Beauty)
Brooklyn Tea
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Brooklyn Tea
Brooklyn Tea is based in Brooklyn, as its name implies, but the artisan tea shop ships nationwide. And who doesn't love good tea? There's all kinds of teas and tea boxes to buy as well as tea education for Brooklyn locals. A bonus: "Brooklyn Tea proudly partners with Tahuti Ma'at to provide compost for their beautiful community garden in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY."
Little Pie Company
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Little Pie Company/Goldbelly
Goldbelly works with partners to deliver gourmet foods from around the country. The company partners with The Little Pie company, a Black-owned business based in New York, which makes delicious New York cheesecakes, pies and more. Broadway veteran Arnold Wilkerson started the pie company in 1985 and well, the rest is tasty history.
Besida
Cloth face covers and masks will be a necessary fashion item for at least another year, so why not get a chic one from Besida? Besida sells dresses and other clothes but masks, too. All items are ethically made in Nigeria.
Buttah Skin
Skin care is outpacing makeup as the health crisis has kept many of us at home instead of running about outside. Beauty brand Buttah Skin is definitely one to add to the skin care lineup, especially with its new rosewater toner, made specifically for darker skin.
Harriett's Bookshop
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Harriet's Bookshop
Small bookshops are places to always try to support, but we think Harriet's Bookshop should definitely be high up on the list. It's a Black-owned shop based in Philadelphia but it also sells books online, especially titles written by Black authors.
Peju Obasa
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Peju Obasa
Peju Obasa is a fashion label and designer who makes insanely chic items, including these purses. According to Obasa's About page, "Her work is rich in colour and texture, embracing printing /dyeing and tenacious knitting techniques to create innovative pieces."
Oma the Label
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Oma the Label
Gold hoops and other accessories, like layered necklaces, are super in style right now and Oma has all of the above and more. According to Oma the Label's About page, "the brand was created by Neumi Anekhe, a new york based fashion stylist that started the brand in 2018, because she saw a need for more brands representing people of color."
Stella & Haas
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Stella and Haas
Speaking of layered necklaces and gold pieces, we just love all of the jewelry sold by Black-owned jeweler Stella & Haas. (This writer bought a pair of hoops this holiday season). It also sells zodiac-themed pieces and tarnish-resistant chains. Founded in 2018 "as a Black, Female-owned business, Stella&Haas is a place of inclusivity and representation for all."
The Black Home
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The Black Home
It's impossible to have enough or even too many candles. Everyone loves Diptyque candles but these from The Black Home home decor brand are just as chic and are labeled with different virtues and empowering figures. They're made with a 100% renewable, eco-friendly soy coconut wax blend and formulated without paraffins and phthalates. The candles are hand-poured in New York. Founder Neffi Walker specifically uses dark tones in her items.
Black Pepper Paperie Co.
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Black Pepper Paperie Co.
Black Pepper Paperie Co. makes small but chic trinkets and home items like this black pepper plate. Other items include incense holders and soap holders. Just act fast, as the handmade items sell out quickly. The designs have special meaning because they're "rooted in memory and cultural influences from across the African diaspora."
BookCense
Small businesses aren't just about fashion or handmade items. They can be financial services, too, as seen by this company called BookCense. It says it can help people with bookkeeping needs or business consultations.
HRLMGIRL Apparel
Standing for Black lives doesn't have to just be online. It can also be a clothing as seen by this T-shirt line called GRMLGIRL Apparel founded by a Black woman from Harlem, New York. This tee in particular matches the times and says "We Made America Great." Proceeds from sales of this shirt donated to a bail-out fund called Act Blue Charities.
We Made America Great ($25, HRLMGIRL Apparel)
Maya's Cookies
Maya Madsen created Maya's Cookies in 2015, after not being able to find yummy vegan cookies anywhere. So she got to work, developing her signature gourmet vegan cookie, which today ships nationwide from San Diego and has made Maya's Cookies the number one Black-owned gourmet vegan cookie company. This pack is the Black History Month Collection, which includes cookies named for Hank Aaron, Debbie Allen, and Amanda Gorman.
Maya's Cookies The Black History Month Collection, $29 for six cookies
Rebecca Allen
Rebecca Allen is a former investment banker who set off to design her own shoe line. Her shoes promise to "fill a void in your closet" with three timeless designs—a flat, a classic heel, and a chic strappy heeled sandal—in five different shades of nude. So classy!
Rebecca Allen The Skim in Nude III, $150
Psst: If purchasing an item on this list, CafeMom may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
