Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Culture

BlissMark may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How to discover and support Black-owned businesses during Black History Month (and beyond)

Shannon Cooper
By

Black History Month celebrates the great accomplishments of Black Americans, highlighting the world-changing work of these scientists, politicians, advocates, and everyday heroes. Dedicating a month to celebrating and amplifying Black voices is so crucial, as much of Black history has been suppressed and ignored. Many high school textbooks do not include Black history, and many Black Americans cannot trace their own family history because they are decedents of enslaved Africans.

This month of observance is also important because, while it celebrates how far Black Americans have come in the past 200 years, it also highlights how much injustice still persists. Systemic racial inequality is prevalent regardless of gender, class, and age. To support Black people in your community, here’s a handy guide to find black-owned businesses online and in your community. While this celebration only lasts a month, you can support Black businesses and ventures year-round.

Black woman fashion designer
Prostock-studio/Shutterstock

Browse directories and apps

Official Black Wall Street is an app that includes more than 5,000 Black-owned businesses in ten different countries in its directory. With this app, you can read business reviews, view photos, and get alerted when you are close to a Black-owned business.

Additional web-based databases include:

Recommended Videos

If you’re looking for Black-owned restaurants in your neighborhood, download the EatOkra app. It features thousands of restaurants around the country, and you can connect your GrubHub or DoorDash account to order takeout easily. Avid readers can check out the African American Literature Book Club, a database of Black-owned bookstores across the U.S. On this website, you can also shop for books, learn about Black authors, read reviews, and join the discussion forum.

Related

Check out We Buy Black

We Buy Black is the biggest online marketplace for Black-owned businesses. Customers around the world can buy from independent sellers in the United States and beyond. Nicknamed the “Black Amazon,” you can find everything on We Buy Black from household products to books and clothing, all from Black-owned brands.

With such a diverse collection of merchandise, it’s easy to trade your big, name brand products for ones offered by Black-owned small businesses. We Buy Black even sells a “Make the Switch Box,” a bundle of household essentials like laundry detergent, toothbrushes, and lightbulbs made and sold by Black brands.

Black cafe owners
mavo/Shutterstock

Use social media

Social media is a great tool for finding new Black shops to support. You can take a look at the products or services they offer, read reviews, and may even be able to order goods right through the app. On Instagram, start by following hashtags like #SupportBlackBusiness, #BlackOwnedBusiness, and #BuyBlack. On Twitter, you can search the hashtags like #BlackBusiness, #BlackOwned, and #SuppportBlackOwnedBusinesses to explore new virtual storefronts.

Support Black artists

Supporting Black businesses doesn’t just mean buying from Black-owned shops — it also means purchasing art from Black painters, listening to music performed and produced by Black artists, reading books by Black authors, and watching movies and TV shows with a Black cast and crew. You can find tons of talented artists on social media by viewing hashtags like #SupportBlackArt and #ShareBlackStories.

Many popular websites also make an effort to celebrate Black creatives by sharing curated lists of creators and content to check out. These are just a few lists to help you discover new Black artists:

Black couple working at a farmers market
Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

Shop local

The most impactful action to support Black people in your community is to shop local in your own neighborhood. To find local Black-owned businesses, check with your city’s Black Chamber of Commerce. The USBC is the nationwide voice for Black companies, providing guidance and advocacy for the economic empowerment of Black-owned companies. You can find your local organization by viewing the USBC Chambers Directory or by doing an online search for “Black chamber of commerce + your city.”

Supporting Black businesses is easier than ever before, with social media, virtual storefronts, and databases. While buying from somewhere new may not feel like a lot, it can have a significant impact on small businesses across the nation.

Disclaimer: BlissMark provides information regarding health, wellness, and beauty. The information within this article is not intended to be medical advice. Before starting any diet or exercise routine, consult your physician. If you don’t have a primary care physician, the United States Health & Human Services department has a free online tool that can help you locate a clinic in your area. We are not medical professionals, have not verified or vetted any programs, and in no way intend our content to be anything more than informative and inspiring.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Shannon Cooper
Shannon Cooper
Freelance writer
Shannon Cooper has written about everything from pet care and travel to finance and plumbing in her seven years as a writer…
How to fact check your favorite beauty brands
fact checking online woman research desk notes

Whether you’re a clean beauty veteran or new to the trend, it’s easy to be led astray by the misleading marketing of your favorite products. Unfortunately, many companies brand their beauty products as "clean" when they are in fact created with toxic ingredients, embedded with microplastics, or sourced unethically. This is because the term "clean" is not regulated by the FDA, so each company uses its discretion when marketing the product.

So, next time you're in the beauty aisle looking for a new shampoo or reusable sponge, fact check the source and materials that create the product in order to ensure you’re obtaining the best of the best when it comes to ethical and clean items.
Check the first five ingredients of chemical-based products
When purchasing any chemical-based product, begin by referencing the first five ingredients. The first five ingredients of any product make up the majority of its contents. so if you notice a synthetic fragrance or other irritants among the ingredients, it should not belong in your clean beauty journey.

Read more
Put your money where your mouth is by supporting women’s rights – here’s how
People protesting for women's rights

It’s been over 170 years since the first women’s rights convention was held in America. While women have made significant progress in this country and around the world since then, there is still a long way to go before we reach true equality. So what can you do to support the gender equality movement? There is plenty you can do to help the cause, no matter how much time, energy, or money you have to contribute. Here are a few ways you can make a difference for the girls and women in your neighborhood and around the world.
Educate yourself
Researching the movement is the first step to becoming an active participant, as opposed to a passive supporter. It can be intimidating to join the conversation with experienced activists, but keep in mind that there was a point when every expert was a beginner.

Begin by reading books and articles about the history of the movement, or watch speeches from notable activists and politicians. Research the issues that have the most significant impact on women and other marginalized groups in your area and worldwide, and check out which groups are tackling these problems. Many organizations have local chapters that are always seeking members, volunteers, and donations. Stay up to date on the local and national conversation by subscribing to the women's issues newsletters from your favorite publications or perusing Causes.com to learn which bills on gender equality are moving through Congress. Keep in mind that education isn’t just a one-time thing; continue to stay informed about the issues and the initiatives taken to tackle them.
Call your representatives
Speak up for yourself and the women in your community by letting your elected officials hear your voice. If there is legislation making its way through the government, contact your representatives to let them know what you think about it. Politicians are voted into office to fight for their constituents and are open to hearing your ideas and suggestions. You can find your representatives’ and senators’ contact information by visiting the official House of Representatives website and official Senate website, respectively. You can also reach out to your local elected officials and state representatives, whose contact information can be found on the website Open States, as they can have a significant impact on your daily life
Volunteer
If you have the time to spare, consider volunteering with a local organization that supports women and your community at large. You can help out at a food bank, women’s shelter, health clinics, legal aid organizations, or any others that stand out to you. Even giving an hour or two of your time can make a huge difference. Look for local opportunities using a website like Volunteer Match or by typing “volunteer opportunities in (your city)” into a search engine.
Donate
Those who have neither the time nor energy to volunteer in person can also donate to their favorite organizations, either in the form of money or objects like food, toiletries, school supplies, and toys. Groups rely on monetary donations to support their causes and remain operational. You can give to organizations that are local to your area or research charitable organizations on a website like Charity Navigator.

Read more
9 LBGTQ-owned beauty businesses you should know today
Man wearing bold make-up

Queer inclusivity in the beauty industry has come a long way in the past few years. From supporting LGBTQ organizations to featuring queer models, businesses are beginning to embrace all sexualities and genders. While many mainstream companies are only just welcoming queerness, some brands live and breathe it every day. These businesses are made by and for people of all identities, giving the members of their community a place to shop and experiment with all things beauty. You can support queer entrepreneurs by shopping from these LGBTQ-owned beauty companies.
Taya Beauty
Taya Beauty is a queer-owned, environmentally friendly beauty brand. It sells hair products and accessories as well as skincare products. All of its products are made of 100% vegan, non-toxic rainforest botanicals, and are also non-GMO and not tested on animals.

The world’s first openly lesbian Latina supermodel, Patricia Velasquez, owns the company. In addition to supporting LGBTQIA+ and environmental causes, she is also committed to supporting indigenous communities.
Hi Wildflower
This fragrance and make-up brand was founded by community organizer and novelist Tanaïs. All of Hi Wildflower’s products are made using natural ingredients, utilizing the founder’s knowledge of herbalism and Ayurveda, resulting in rich and luxurious scents and colors. Plus, all of the packaging is biodegradable. Tanaïs is a queer Bangladeshi woman whose inclusive and intersectional values radiate through every aspect of the brands, and Hi Wildflower also supports organizations like Arte and Resistance Education and Girls Write Now.

Read more