Today I am sharing twenty Black-owned businesses that you need to shop from. I created this list for Black History Month. However, please consider supporting these businesses year-round. This list is not exhaustive. So, if you know a great Black-owned brand not listed here, please let me know.
Did you know that Black people comprise approximately 14.2% of the U.S. population, but Black-owned businesses comprise only 2.2% of the nation’s 5.7 million employer businesses? Black people have historically been excluded from entrepreneurship through systemic racism and discrimination. That is why it is so important to invest in Black-owned businesses. When you support Black-owned, you invest in those communities.
Firstly, there are many ways that we can and should empower Black communities to end oppression. However, supporting Black-owned brands is an important action everyone can take the next time we shop online. If you’d like to learn more about the underrepresentation of Black businesses and solutions, this Brookings article is an excellent resource.
[This post was published in February 2021. It has been updated as of February 2022.]
Splendor Revival
I featured Splendor Revival in my Small Business Saturday blog post last year. I love browsing their vintage selection at the Little Light Collective. If you are local to Columbus, be sure to stop by sometime.
Splendid Rain Co
Splendid Rain Co makes clothes for modern activists. Olatiwa Karade started the brand when she was 19 years old to create conversations about race that center the needs and wants of Black people.
Jane Dottie Vintage
Tatyana ZW Alanis started Jane Dottie Vintage to create an eco-friendly alternative to fast fashion. It carries vintage apparel and accessories, from claw clips to vintage denim. Also, the JDV collection is made-to-order and therefore zero waste!
Dynasty George
I instantly fell in love with Dynasty George when I came across it. The company hand-makes some of its feminine and vintage-inspired pieces in Brooklyn. It also partners with a factory in India to sustainably create other pieces. Dynasty George is releasing a new collection soon, and I’m keeping a close eye on it to shop ASAP.
Label By Three
Label By Three’s designs clothes that are thoughtful and produced in Arizona. But unlike most brands, it exclusively uses dead-stock fabric from across the United States. The designs are minimal and look great on all body types.
Two Days Off
Two Days Off is a carbon-neutral brand that creates clothing that you will feel good wearing. The brand focuses on ease, durability, and timeless designs that will never go out of style.
Galerie.La
Celebrity stylist Dechel McKilian founded Galerie.La to make sustainable shopping easier. As a result, she has curated space for ethical fashion from emerging sustainable brands.
Grant Blvd
Grant Blvd is committed to racial justice and the planet. It exclusively uses reclaimed fabrics, which means it doesn’t use new resources to create garments.
Gracemade
Gracemade is a lifestyle brand that creates fashion-forward modest apparel. It designs and manufactures products in Los Angeles. Also, it gives back by donating a portion of proceeds to charity.
Hope for Flowers
Hope for Flowers founder Tracey Reese has worked in the fashion industry for more than 30 years. After that time, she wanted to start a brand with a commitment to sustainability and responsible practices. So, Hope for Flowers was born.
Ten Wilde Jewelry
Tenisha Wilde founded Ten Wilde, an all-gold jewelry brand that reflects her own personal style. Ten Wilde designs in Los Angeles, and aims to create timeless pieces for the multi-faceted woman.
Yam NYC
Yam NYC hand-makes jewelry in Queens, New York City. You’ll find a lot of floral and pearl accents in the pieces. Plus, Yam NYC uses recycled materials.
Briogeo
Briogeo creates natural and effective hair care products for all types of hair. My personal favorite product is the scalp revival shampoo. I love how transparent Briogeo is with its practices and partnerships. If you want to learn more, read about its impact and sustainability here.
Zou Xou
Zou Xou offers ethically-made footwear for women. Argentinian shoemakers hand-make the shoes using age-old techniques and premium leather. Sensible, well-made shoes are worth the investment. Trust.
Oui the People
Oui the People is best known for their popular safety razors. It also offers other body care products, such as bath soaks and serums. A quote from their website that I love: “We believe beauty shouldn’t come at the expense of our psyche. Rather than pursuing flawlessness, we aim to build efficacious products, designed thoughtfully, that help you feel great in the skin you’re already in.”
Mented Cosmetics
KJ Miller and Amanda E. Johnson wondered why it was difficult for them to find the perfect nude lipstick. So, they created Mented Cosmetics. Also, the website has a Shade Finder tool to help you find the perfect shade of lipstick or foundation.
Alaffia
Alaffia creates natural hair, face, and body products. It is Fair for Life certified (a fair trade certification) and Good Manufacturing Practices certified. Also, the company’s impressive Empowerment Projects are funded by its profits.
Linoto
Linoto creates 100% pure linen bed sheets. All products are made at its workshop in Westchester County, New York. Also, it is a low-waste company, using recycled plastic-free packaging to ship its products.
Estelle Colored Glass
Estelle Colored Glass creates the most beautiful glassware. The glassware is definitely an investment piece, but the quality and craftsmanship are unbeatable. I would love to buy a set for myself soon.
Aya Paper Co.
Aya Paper Co. is an eco-friendly stationery company that creates cards and gifts. Founder and Creative Director SaVonne Anderson is an advocate for environmental justice. So, she knew that she wanted Aya to be a sustainable business.
Lastly, thank you for reading this post. I hope you discovered a few sustainable & ethical Black-owned businesses. Also, I hope you will consider supporting them the next time you shop. If I missed any of your favorite businesses, please leave a comment.
Thanks for reading,
Kyndal