As I mentioned in a previous blog post called 10 ways you can support Black Lives Matter, a great way you can help the Black Lives Matter Movement is to support Black-Owned businesses.
These businesses that I’ve listed below are owned by black women who are inspirational to all. I highly recommend checking out their store after you finish reading this article!
1.Black Girl Sunscreen
We all know how sunscreen has always been made for non-people of color and how on darker skin it tends to leave a residue. Well, this sunscreen created by Shontay Lundy is perfect for those with darker skin. It is made without harmful chemicals and especially for those with melanin-rich skin. It hydrates the skin and uses natural ingredients to rejuvenate your face and body. If you’d like to check it out, I’ve linked it here.
2. Aliya Wanek
Aliya Wanek, a women-swear label founded in 2016, focuses on the connection between ones identity and style. They create stylish clothing using ethical and sustainable methods. If Aliya isn’t sewing the garments herself, then she is working with local contractors in the Bay Area to dye her garments, always looking for ways to reduce the brand’s environmental impact.
3. The Cupcake Collection
The Cupcake Collection is a destination bakery located in Nashville and New Orleans. The Founder and CEO, Mignon Francios, created these delicious cupcakes for locals and tourists from all around the world. All of their cupcakes are baked from scratch and made at home, hence their catchphrase, “Our cupcakes taste homemade because they are homemade.”
4. Womeneur
Womenuer is an online website started by Sharon Beason to help early-stage Female Entrepreneurs in business. Her entrepreneurship-focused site offers digital guides, coaching sessions, skill-building events, resources, and more that is sure to help any female who needs help navigating the business world.
5. TONL
TONL is a photography company run by Karen Okonkwo. Her company helps produce cultural and diverse stock photos. As we all know, most stock photos you find online are not of people-of-color, and this company was created to combat that. On their website you can find more about the narratives of their models, pricing options, and more about her company. I highly recommend checking it out!
6. Lunch on Me
Lunch on Me is a non-profit organization located in Los Angelos, California. The founder, LaRayia Gaston, created this organization to end starvation in her local area by redirecting waste that would normally be thrown away. Over the years by using this process, Lunch on Me has given over 10,000 meals to the homeless community in Los Angelos. As this organization has grown, the founder has gained popularity too. She recently created a video with BuzzFeed detailing more about her work and how she has helped her local community. If you want to watch the video, I have linked it here.
7. The Lip Bar
The Lip Bar is an inclusive beauty brand challenging the beauty standard. The founder, Melissa Butler, says she started this company in her kitchen while she was working on Wall Street because she was tired of the beauty industries’ lack of diversity, inclusiveness, and the unnecessary amount of chemicals used in their products. Through this realization, she started creating her brand, which was Vegan and Cruelty-free and inclusive to all. They have recently launched their products in over 450 Target stores across the US, and have opened their store in Detroit. I highly recommend checking out their products.
8. Alana Ladson Art
Alana Ladson is an intricate artist who’s artistic ideas stem from Black Women and nature. She found as a little girl and through adulthood that Black women were not represented enough in art, and she wanted to change that. To continue her artistic pursuits, she participated in a virtual stage at New Haven where she showed off her amazing artwork. She has also volunteered and organized many types of art fairs where other artists can show their talent. You can read an article here to learn more about Alana Ladson.
9. CurlBOX
CurlBOX, a box that has all the hair care products you might need, is an exclusive and affordable way to explore hair care products delivered to your doorstep each month. The founder, Myleik Teele, created this product so that women would be allowed to try several products for the price of one. This goal of hers stems from a personal experience she had. She went all-natural with her hair 15 years ago, and she had to drive far away and pay for products that were very expensive to maintain her hair. She realized that she wanted to solve this problem, not just for her, but also for other women. And so, CurlBOX was born, and now helps women save time and money on hair products.
10. RunGRL
As quoted from their website, “RUNGRL is a digital media and event platform for Black women that uses running as a vehicle to impact wellness in our community. By thoughtfully curating content and events that share our voices and our stories, we are changing the existing narrative on what it means to be a runner.” This impactful organization was founded by Ashlee Green, who created a community of acceptance in the track and field industry.