Crowdsourced Black-Owned Businesses We Can Support
A small way we can actively engage in supporting Black people in our daily lives is to buy from Black-owned businesses. Recently, I asked the Lazy Genius community to share the businesses they love in their communities and corners of the Internet. I’ve rounded them up here. By no means is this a comprehensive list of all of the businesses that are making and creating and doing wonderful work in our communities and nation. I will continue to update it, so consider referencing it when you need to buy a gift, treat a friend to a meal, refresh your closet, or furnish your home.
Food & Restaurants
Emma Key’s Flat Top Grill -- Greensboro, NC
A burger joint known for its 16 burgers and unique location in a restored 1950’s barbershop.
Uncle Cheesecake -- High Point, NC
A custom cheesecake bakery offering 73 flavors of cheesecake owned and operated by firefighter Daniel Gray.
The Cookie Society -- Frisco, TX
A boutique bakeshop specializing in gourmet cookies. They ship nationwide. Owned by husband-and-wife duo Jeff and Marissa Allen.
Phillip Ashley Chocolates -- Memphis, TN
A luxury chocolate boutique specializing in chocolates, truffles, and confections shipped nationwide. Owned and operated by Chef Phillip Ashley Rix.
Mert’s Heart & Soul -- Charlotte, NC
Soul food restaurant in the heart of Uptown.
Bestow Baked Goods -- Raleigh, NC
Opening a new location in June, Bestow Baked Goods specializes in cakes, cookies, and breakfast pastries. P.S. She made a Dwight Schrute cake.
Portrait Coffee -- Atlanta, GA
Their goal is to empower and equip Atlanta natives and residents with genuine career and life opportunities in the world of coffee.
Jeddah’s Teas -- Durham, NC
Tea to the people, for the people.
Book Stores
Mahogany Books -- Washington, D.C.
An award-winning independent bookstore specializing in books written for, by, or about people of the African Diaspora.
Brave and Kind Bookshop -- Atlanta, GA
Bunnie describes her shop as “a thoughtfully curated little neighborhood kids bookshop with a unique selection of diverse, classic, artful stories, creative workshops, story clubs and special gifts.”
EyeSeeMe -- University City, MO
They have the largest collection of great African American books for children in the United States.
Fulton Street Books & Coffee -- Tulsa, OK
Fulton Street aims to be a place to call home; “a space to build community and to change our city through civic discourse. It is a space on a mission to increase literacy, with people at the center of all the work that we do.”
Shelves Bookstore -- Charlotte, NC
Abbi has created a “place where people of all ages can shop for great stories, participate in meaningful discussions, get insight from prominent guest speakers, and meet new lifelong friends and colleagues.”
Here Wee Read
Not a bookshop, but Charnaie is a Diversity & Inclusion expert who runs the Instagram account @hereweeread and is committed to helping readers find diverse books, educational products and raise curious kids.
Apparel & Accessories
For the Love of Tees
Vanessa offers a fun mix of graphic tees and apparel and created the company to combine her love of Christ with her love for a comfy tee.
Geek Chic Fashion
Lysandra makes modern, stylish, and comfortable women's clothing and offers gifts and accessories in her online shop.
YEPRACISMSUCKS
Singer/songwriter Tasha LaRae started Racism Sucks ® as a brand movement for people who acknowledge the existence of racism & take constant action within their circle of influence to stop the harm it causes.
Kemi Telford Store
England-based designer Kemi Telford designs beautiful skirts, dresses, and tops and offers a skirt of the month.
Creatively Blu
Creatively Blu specializes in custom shirts, drinkware, bags, and more on their shop on Etsy.
Jewelry
Stella & Haas
Jenni curates a cool and stylish collection of jewelry and accessories for all.
BR Design Co
Sisters Carlene and Cassandra create polymer clay jewelry and accessories based in Charleston, South Carolina.
Beauty
Thank God Its Natural (@tginatural)
A manufacturer of natural hair and skincare products, currently sold in Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Sally’s Beauty, and Walgreen’s.
The Honey Pot
A natural, plant-based line of feminine care products by Bea Dixon.
OMG Wellness Bar -- Winston-Salem, NC
A brick and mortar wellness boutique offering natural products and bodywork services including massage therapy, cupping, Reiki, aromatherapy, spiritual coaching and wellness programming.
blkandgrn
A one-stop-shop for Black-owned natural products and non-toxic marketplace by all Black artisans.
For New Moms and Babies
Happy Mango - Atlanta, GA
Carries eco-friendly baby gear, from clothing to cribs, plus gifts, books and more.
West Coast Dipes at Crunchy Boutique -- Arlington, TX
The team behind Crunchy Boutique started West Coast Dipes to offer an afforadable, beautiful, and quality line of products for babies to natural-minded families across the US. Founders Keema, Brandon, and Lauren are all originally from California, hence West Coast Dipes.
Milky Mama -- Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Using her knowledge as a Registered Nurse and love for baking, Krystal Duhaney creates treats to support lactation health for nursing mothers.
Hutch Baby -- Cincinnati, OH
An upscale, vibrant, & fun apparel line for infants, toddlers and kids up to 14-16Y.
For Kids
Very Puzzled
Jjigsaw puzzles to provide endless fun and topics of discussion that can be used as an exciting way to learn.
Puzzle Huddle
Jigsaw puzzles for children from diverse backgrounds.
Home Goods & Gifts
Zen Succulent -- Raleigh and Durham, NC
A modern terrariums and plant craft line with two neighborhood plant and gift shops located in North Carolina.
Posh Candle Co. -- Los Angeles, CA
Handpoured soy candles with limited-release collections. Shop reopens June 8.
Mama BooClay
Nicole makes gorgeous handcrafted Bible covers.
Bright Black Candles
This family-owned business uses scent as a medium and candles as a platform for sharing positive narratives about Blackness.
Pin and Proper -- Greensboro, NC
Brandi makes enameled pins and greeting cards
The Best Today Guide
They exist to equip women with resources to be proactive and intentional with their time so they can show up as their BEST one TODAY at a time.
Satya and Sage
Handmade, eco-friendly candles and unique essential oils.
The Wonderffle
Mike Bradford an engineer, culinary enthusiast, and world traveler, AND he created The Wonderffle Stuffed Waffle Iron!
Addictive Apothecary
A family-based business offering all-natural candles and bath and body care products, including fragrances, body butters, and body balms.
Farms and Farmers
Amber Tamm
A floral designer, horticulturalist, and farmer, Amber Tamm shares her journey of taking care of Mother Earth from Brooklyn.
The Hillbilly African
Farai is creating a space for folks to welcome plant medicine into their lives.
Soul Fire Farm
Soul Fire Farm is committed to ending racism and injustice in the food system.
Herban Farm
After a trip to Jamaica, Ras decided to follow in his parents’ footsteps. In 2010, he began growing herbs on an urban farm while developing recipes with his friends and family.
Photography & The Arts
Stillshots Photography - Greensboro, NC
Ashleigh Crawley provides editorial, high-fashion, and wedding photography.
Music in the Woods - Stamford, CT
A nonprofit committed to enriching lives through community outreach, music education, mentorship.
Solid Treasures
Kendria is a self-taught metalsmith who shares her evolving journey with her craft on Instagram.
The House of Roushey
Offering floral illustration and lettering, Christy’s work adorns mugs, greeting cards, pins, and more on her Etsy shop.
The Hive -- Charlottesville, VA
A drop-in arts and crafts bar in Charlottesville offering workshops, parties, crafting, coffee and snacks.
Another great resource is @officialblackwallstreet, the largest Black-owned business discovery app. And Danielle from Maine just told us about Black-Owned Maine, a list of businesses to support in the state of Maine.
