Are you passionate about supporting minorities? You’re not alone, and we’re here to help. Blacks have long been disproportionately underserved and repressed in society (both present and past).
Although movements such as BLM have made significant progress, the work we have as a community is far (FAR) from over.
While we might not all be able to march and protest, or donate, one thing we can do is support black-owned businesses when and wherever we can.
One way to do that is as a patron of these fine establishments. And there is no better time than the present to take action.
While the global pandemic affected virtually everyone and every business in some way, Bloomberg reports that black-owned businesses were hurt more than any other race. Of even greater concern is a 41% decline in Black business owners from February to April of 2020 alone.
We think its time we gave back. Don’t you?
In this guide, we highlight a small sampling of some of our favorite products created and sold by black owned businesses around the world.
We hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
Black Owned Business
This season and all seasons, show your support for some of the best black owned businesses out there.
From wellness and skincare products, to business supplies, we’re excited to share with you some of our favorite black owned businesses that are thriving and offering incredible value and products.
These black-owned enterprises made our list for their incredible customer service, attention to detail, innovative product lines, and a drive to better serve their customers.
This black-owned business offers an exciting take on one-of-a-kind eyewear and accessories. With a motto of ‘if you look like a boss you’ll feel like a boss’, their products help to elevate self-esteem, positivity and personal empowerment.
Each frame is handcrafted right in the heart of NYC and worn by thousands of fashion-forward clients ranging from entrepreneurs to A-list celebs.
Inspired by a fusion of global cultures, NRODA embodies its traditional Jamaican heritage, melding that with African, Egyptian and Indian artform. Collections range from bold classical designs to edgy statement pieces, inspiring confidence, individuality and pride.
Black owned Inspire By Tyler features a creative treasure trove of innovative artwork, from premium canvases and posters, to unique accessories.
What makes her artwork so unique? Most pieces are embellished and created using (in part) ethically sourced real hair, creating intricate weaves, delicate waves, interesting curls and a 3D textured and visual appeal.
Featuring designer headwraps that embody a rebellious spirit, Anewow brings to market a unique South African inspired flair, combining fashion with traditional African headwear. These pieces represent self-expression, and a cultural melding of world influences that are as trendy and fashionable as they are affordable.
*As featured on Oprah’s Favorite Things 2020 Episode For this pick, we add something a little sweet to our list. Featuring a robust selection of some of the best raw honey on the market, Zach and Zoe Sweet Bee Farm is a black owned business you won’t want to miss out on experiencing.
Tantalize your taste buds and tap into the healing power and nutritional value of raw honey. Unbeknownst to most, processed store honey strips it of its nutritional value and healing properties. By contrast, raw honey includes all of the vitamins, minerals, amino acids, nutrients and enzymes just as nature intended.
Women put up with a lot to look as good as they do. From handbags to heels, the daily items women accessorize with can take their toll. This is part of what inspired black founder and owner Dr. Liza, one of North America’s leading body and posture experts, to come up with a line of products that offered all the beauty with none of the pain.
After a decade of treating high heel pain for Hollywood celebs and Toronto professionals, Dr. Liza designed and launched her own revolutionary line of highly functional and comfortable, yet undeniably stylish shoes and handbags.
Explore her fashion-forward line of shoulder bags, backpacks, shoes and more.
Celebrate your kink and explore fun ways to enjoy time in and out of the bedroom with your partner or solo. Founded by Jaycee Chester, Overkink seeks to normalize positivity around healthy sex within the black community. The site features a wide selection of tantalizing and exhilarating products for men and women to explore their deepest and most intimate desires, safely and discreetly. From sex toys and accessories, to lingerie and even novelty gifts, there’s something for everyone inside Overkink.
7Eu’genia Shea
Perhaps the BEST skincare products you haven’t heard about, Eu’Genia Shea isn’t just an all-natural shea butter company, its one that proudly supports farmers in Ghana. Since its inception, the company’s mother-daughter duo has focused on providing 90%-plus pure shea butter formulations to market, free from harmful ingredients and chemicals found in most lotions on store shelves.
With lines available for normal, dry and even sensitive skin, the shop has a shea butter formulation to help your hair, lips and skin bring out your inner beauty for all to see.
8The Partake Shop
On a mission to help families find high quality, nutritious and healthy allergen-free snacks, The Partake Shop offers a wide range of products that kid’s and adults alike will rave about. Tailored to cater to those with severe allergies, products include those free from peanuts, eggs, dairy, gluten, tree nuts, soy and artificial flavors.
9The Lip Bar
Based out of Detroit, this beauty company was founded by none other than Melissa Butler. Butler wanted to buck the trend of media setting the standard for everyday beauty, taking back the reins and launching a company focused on inclusivity and diversity.
Her product lines feature natural ingredients and are vegan, paraben-free and non-toxic, ideal for a wide range of skin tones.
10Posterity Paper
Touted as ‘not your gmom’s stationery’, Posterity Paper was founded by Tiffany Grimes Georgia native. Inspired by her own grandmother, and tired of boring generic birthday and greeting cards found at department stores, Grimes sought to inspire a new generation of thoughtfulness through stationary. Her products help women ‘show up’ for the people they care about most in their lives.
11Clare
Simplifying paint shopping, Clare is on a mission to inspire customers to create a home that speaks to their creative heart, personality and style. Re-imagining a whole new type of shopping experience, they offer an incredible selection of paint swatches and high-quality paint supplies. Coupled with expert design advice and support that continues well after the paint has dried, this interior-designer led company eliminates the guesswork out of getting colors right.
12Curls Dynasty
Exclusively designed for women who are making the transition to natural hair, along with those curl poppin’ naturalistas, Curls Dynasty helps women find the perfect bundle for their hair goals.
Products are simple, effective, and easy to use on textured and difficult to hydrate curls. Formulated from essential all-natural ingredients and using no harsh chemicals, fragrances, artificial dies or preservatives, these backed by science formulas are proven to hydrate, soften and strengthen hair.
Herbal Goodness is dedicated to helping people embrace a healthy lifestyle and take control of their own wellbeing through superfood products. This women-owned business sources premium quality, non-GMO, organic ingredients and manufactures every product in the United States.
Originally from Nigeria, Herbal Goodness’ founder Dr. Unoma Okorafor grew up eating organic papayas and recognized the inferior quality of the GMO papaya found in the U.S. This motivated her to start her own company using only the most organic foods and herbs, including papaya, guava, bamboo, moringa, avocado leaf, chanca piedra, mango leaf, Graviola (soursop), and cat’s claw.
Every ingredient undergoes rigorous lab tests to ensure they’re free of toxic heavy metals before being included in Herbal Goodness’ range of superfood products, that includes:
- Herbal extracts
- Supplements
- smoothie powders
- Teas
- Nutraceuticals
These superfood products are designed to promote different aspects of wellbeing and are categorized depending on their health benefits.
- Immune system
- Digestion
- Energy
- Cell support and rejuvenation
- Metabolism
- Focus
- Hair, skin, and nails
In addition to supporting sustainability and the environment, Herbal Goodness also donates 10% of its profits to the WAAW Foundation, an organization supporting the education of girls and women in Africa.
14Renewskin Inc. DBA Tautusa
Since 2006, RenewSkin Inc. DBA TautUSA has helped millions of women revitalize their skin and fight the signs of aging with its range of supplements and skincare products.
Taut’s success stems from the Japanese beauty technique of using collagen to restore the youthfulness of skin, naturally reversing the signs of aging. Its use of hydrolyzed marine collagen replenishes the skin’s lost collagen to improve firmness, creating a more youthful appearance.
In partnership with its Japanese manufacturer, Taut combined the manufacturer’s patented hydrolyzed collagen technology with its own proprietary formula. The result was Taut Collagen Drink, the first high-potency liquid collagen drink.
Containing a high concentration of marine collagen and anti-aging ingredients, the drink was sold in single-serve glass bottles and became a huge success in Asia. Expansion into the U.S. market came with the launch of TautUSA, introducing Taut Premium Collagen to women looking for a healthy and natural way to look younger.
Today, TautUSA’s collagen-based product range includes masks, supplements, powders, and serums, all with one thing in common — to reduce fine lines, firm-up sagging skin, and rejuvenate the skin.
Taut Premium Collagen has featured in many of the major health, wellness, and beauty publications, transforming the brand into one of the most recognizable names in the luxury skincare industry.
ComboInk supplies businesses, homes, and organizations across North America with affordable ink and toner cartridges. All its products provide the same print quality as named brands but at a discounted rate.
Customers can choose from compatible cartridges for big-name brands, including:
- Hewlett-Packard
- Epson
- Canon
- Lexmark
- Brother
By buying in bulk and selling its products online, ComboInk keeps its costs low and passes the savings onto its customers.
Founder Andrew Young set up the company in 2003 after paying out for an expensive ink cartridge to print flyers for his IT business. Initially operating out of a cramped garage, ComboInk’s base today is a 20,000 square foot warehouse in San Francisco’s Bay Area with more than 40 employees.
Visitors to ComboInk’s website can search by brand, cartridge number, or printer model to find the ideal replacement cartridges. In addition to ink and toner, ComboInk sells a range of printing accessories, including photo paper, cables, and ink refill kits that let customers reduce waste and help the environment by refilling their empty cartridges.
ComboInk’s company motto is “better ink, better prices”. It believes in offering customers great value with high-quality products at the lowest price possible. ComboInk stands by the quality of its ink and toner cartridges and offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee valid for a year from receiving an order.
Nude Barre has changed the way women buy bodywear by creating a line of underwear and hosiery to match all skin tones. Its range of stylish tights, bralettes, shorts, and panties come in 12 different shades in a bid to combat colorism in the fashion industry.
Founder Erin Carpenter came up with the idea of Nude Barre while working as a professional dancer. Undergarments were an essential part of her outfits but, at the time, nude hosiery was only available in beige. Carpenter had to dye her hosiery to match her skin tone.
In 2009, after leaving professional dancing, she started Nude Barre using $3,000 of savings. The initial focus was on developing different nude shades of hosiery but the product line soon expanded to include bras, underwear, and facemasks.
October 2020 saw Nude Barre close a $1.4 million seed round with investments led by Freestyle Capital.
Each of the 12 distinctive shades are named after a time of day. Customers can find the ideal match to their skin color among the different hues on the website. Nude Barre uses eco-friendly materials and its range of fishnet stockings, bikini panties, bralettes, and opaque tights are designed to ensure women feel comfortable when wearing nude.
Boujee Hippie helps women boost their self-awareness and overall wellness through a range of products. Its fashionable apparel and feminine care, skin care, and weight loss products are aimed at modern, sassy women who care about their appearance.
Boujee Hippie’s range of Bawdy Shapewear is designed to sculpt the body and emphasise the assets of curvaceous figures. Products include yoga shorts, 360 shapers, sweatbands, and girdles to slim the waist and highlight the hips, bust, and butt areas.
To encourage women to manage their weight in a safe and effective way, Boujee Hippie offers Nazuri slimming aids that work together as a weight loss program.
- Meltdown Detox: Dietary supplement capsules to reduce bloating and support the digestive system.
- Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies: Natural supplements curb the appetite and provide a natural source of energy.
Both items are included in the Slim Down System, the company’s signature weight loss solution.
Boujee Hippie cares for the feminine hygiene of women with its Yoni Care range. The products are formulated using a blend of herbs, making them free from harsh chemicals and alcohol. These herbal washes and steam treatments can help keep the private’s clean, balance pH levels, and increase blood circulation.
The skincare line includes scrubs, creams, exfoliating pads, cleansers, toners, and moisturizers made from natural ingredients. Each item tackles a different skin concern, such as dark spots, uneven skin tone, acne, and enlarged pores to leave the skin brighter, smoother, and more radiant.
Skincare company Minty + ReliePH produces naturally derived, fragrance-free products that are gentle on the skin and help soothe irritation. Its primary focus is on developing natural products to help people affected by eczema, rashes, and dry skin.
Founder Mariah Woodson is familiar with sensitive skin issues having grown up with eczema and contact dermatitis. After years of trying various methods to help ease symptoms, she created a collection of skin care products designed to treat eczema and keep it at bay.
Minty + ReliePH’s signature product, its Multipurpose Ointment is made from plant-rich ingredients, including shea butter, beeswax, sunflower oil, zinc, and avocado oil. The combination of these natural ingredients helps to nourish the skin, relieving sensitivity and eczema.
Being free of parabens, dye, petroleum, and sulfates, the ointment is designed for everyday use as a full-body moisturizer for both adults and children. Its plant-based formulation means it can be used safely on delicate areas, such as the lips and eyelids.
The application can also be made as a spot treatment for particularly itchy or irritated patches of skin. In addition to providing key nutrients and moisturizing dry skin, Minty + ReliePH’s Multipurpose Ointment can help accelerate the healing time of skin wounds.
Have A Favorite Black-Owned Business You’d Like Added?
We love highlighting the best black owned businesses in America and around the world. If you have a favorite business, store or shop we’ve missed, let us know and we’d be happy to give them a look to be considered for inclusion.
