Shopping from Black-owned businesses—in addition to donating to social justice organizations and familiarizing yourself with antiracism resources—is one of the most powerful actions you can take to support the Black community. Not only can your money help small businesses grow, but it also puts the power directly into the hands of Black creators, employees, and consumers. This can go a long way to redistributing resources and promoting generational wealth, especially since white business owners have always had easier access to capital and more opportunities for growth.
Elevating Black business owners and giving them the funding, recognition, and shelf space they deserve as they embark on entrepreneurship has been an uphill climb—one that’s increasingly convoluted, with big and small companies latching onto solidarity as a marketing tactic rather than as a catalyst for measurable impact. Glamour Woman of the Year Aurora James of Brother Vellies was one of the first activist-entrepreneurs to call on larger corporations to stock 15% of their inventory from Black-owned businesses, and many big-box retailers, including Nordstrom and Sephora, have joined the 15 Percent Pledge since.
Although spending isn’t the only catalyst for change, you can help make a tangible difference with your own buying power today—yes, for Black History Month, but also 365 days a year. Whether you’re searching for Black-owned clothing labels, beauty brands, or home decor stores, you’ll find one to support below. And don’t forget to seek out and support Black-owned businesses in your area, too!
Black-Owned Clothing Brands
Hanifa
Founded by Anifa Mvuemba after she dropped out of a fashion merchandising program in 2012, Hanifa is committed to making luxury fashion available to the masses. Prices rarely climb above $300, and most pieces are available in a wide range of sizes, from XS to 3XL. The label was a recipient of the 2021 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.
Victor Glemaud
Since starting his eponymous label, Victor Glemaud has infused his collections with an inclusive, cross-generational spirit that can be seen in the inspiration for his designs (from Grace Jones and Diana Ross to Stephen Burrows), in the diversity of the models he casts, and in the styling and art direction of his clothes. Stockists include Saks Fifth Avenue, Revolve, and Ssense.
Brother Vellies
Aurora James launched accessories brand Brother Vellies in 2013 as a way to keep traditional African craftsmanship alive. Using sustainable materials such as vegetable-tanned leathers, recycled tires, and hand-carved wood, each shoe or bag is handmade using techniques passed down from generation to generation. Subscribe to the brand’s Something Special initiative for small, made-to-order pieces (think ceramic vases and hand-poured candles) from the Brother Vellies community.
Chelsea Paris
African culture and Art Deco aren’t a combo you often see, but that’s exactly what Theresa Ebagua has fused together in her shoe brand, Chelsea Paris. The Nigerian-born designer mixes unique materials in a subtle way to honor both her heritage and that aesthetic.
Brandon Blackwood
Designer Brandon Blackwood is no stranger to advocacy. He debuted totes emblazoned with the slogan “End Systemic Racism” in 2020, and they quickly made an impact—and, not surprisingly, sold out. He’s proven to be a master of both texture and color, adorning classic purse shapes with a rainbow of hues, materials, and finishes.
House of Aama
House of Aama is the brainchild of mother-daughter duo Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka, who use fashion as a lens to celebrate and tell stories that explore the traditions and customs of African Americans. Perusing the Black-woman-owned brand’s site, you’ll find everything from vintage-inspired hoodies to bespoke gowns worthy of a red carpet.
Lemlem
Model turned designer Liya Kebede founded resortwear label Lemlem in 2007 as a way to preserve the ancient cotton weaving techniques of her native Ethiopia while simultaneously creating jobs for local artisans. The result is effortlessly chic and deserves a spot in your carry-on.
Sami Miró Vintage
Secondhand lovers, this one’s for you. Sami Miró Vintage is a Los Angeles–based brand that’s “pushing eco-conscious boundaries” with limited-edition clothing made entirely from vintage and recycled fabrics. The label was founded by multihyphenate Black entrepreneur Sami Miró and counts numerous celebs (including Normani, Selena Gomez, Bella Hadid, and Jasmine Sanders, to name a few) as fans.
Head of State
Nigerian designer Taofeek Abijako founded his label in 2016 when he was just 17 years old. It’s quickly grown into a brand to watch, staging buzzy NYFW shows and releasing collections that, according to its site, “provoke and further a dialogue about the past, current, and future state of marginalized spaces.” The brand dressed both Evan Mock and Danai Gurira for the 2022 Met Gala, proving Abijako has the chops both for streetwear and couture.
Jade Swim
Jade Swim designs high-quality swimwear through a modern, minimalist lens. The label was created by former editor Brittany Kozerski Freeney, and her ribbed swimsuits and asymmetrical styles make regular appearances on influencer Instagram feeds and editorial shoots alike.
Black-Owned Beauty Brands
Pattern
Tracee Ellis Ross’s brand, Pattern, celebrates and addresses the needs of the curly, coily, and tight-textured hair community. The brand also gives back a portion of the proceeds from its hair care products to organizations and programs that empower women and people of color.
Briogeo
Nancy Twine is the founder and CEO of Briogeo, a plant-based hair care brand, which focuses on natural ingredients and is now available at major retailers like Sephora and Nordstrom. Twine founded the company after becoming fed up with the big-name natural hair-care brands on the market—so she quit her job in finance and started Briogeo in her kitchen.
Ami Colé
A relative newcomer to the beauty scene, Ami Colé is already making waves for its makeup, which was designed for “melanin-rich skin.” After starting with just a skin tint, highlighter, and lip oil, founder Diarrha N’Diaye-Mbaye has since expanded to key categories like mascara and concealer, which come in sheer hues and clean formulas for the ultimate no-makeup makeup look.
Eadem
Eadem was once known for a single product, the Glamour-editor-approved Milk Marvel Dark Spot Serum, which is powered by niacinamide and vitamin C and intended to even out discoloration, which disproportionately affects women of color. But it’s now offering two new luxe products, a moisturizer and a cleansing balm, and we suspect more are on the way.
Sugardoh
If body hair removal is part of your routine, you need Sugardoh on your radar. The brand is known for its flagship sugaring kits, which are an at-home alternative to waxing that leaves upper lips, armpits, and any other skin smooth and irritation-free. Inclusivity is woven into Sugardoh’s DNA, considering all of its products are gender-free and easy to use on your own.
Hyper
Offering products to clear and brighten skin, Hyper is a brand “motivated by the disappointment of yesterday’s skin care options.” This isn’t Hyper founder Desiree Verdejo’s first foray into beauty, however—she owned the store Vivrant Beauty in Harlem prior to turning to entrepreneurship, and her beauty chops are clear from this cult-fave product.
Adwoa Beauty
Adwoa Beauty bills itself as a “highly effective, clean, gender-neutral beauty for kinky, curly, and wavy textures.” Its baomint collection, which is stocked at Sephora, is meant to make your scalp happy so your hair can be happy too.
Topicals
Founded by two Gen-Z women of color, Topicals has a huge social-media-driven fan base among the younger crowd—and a refreshingly edited selection of beauty products that cater to specific needs. There are four products total in the line: a dark spot corrector, a nourishing mask, a hydrating mist, and the latest drop, an ingrown hair toner.
Unsun
In 2016, Unsun founder Katonya Breaux set out to create a clean sunscreen brand that would actually be inclusive of melanin-rich skin, unlike the other options offered by the beauty industry at the time. The result is a line of eco-friendly, cruelty-free sun care products that don’t leave any chalky residue behind, regardless of the shade of your skin.
Bread
If you’re embracing your natural texture, you’ll want to add Bread to your hair care lineup. The brand is on a mission to simplify wash day, with delicious-smelling formulas for your best curls yet. It initially launched in 2020 with a trio of products (hair wash, mask, and oil) and has since expanded to offer scalp treatments and an adorable giant silk scrunchie.
Uoma
You might know Sharon Chuter, the brains behind Uoma Beauty, from her 2020 #PullUpOrShutUp initiative, through which she challenged other beauty brands to share how many Black people were employed at an executive level. It’s since become a nonprofit organization that supports economic opportunities for Black communities, but the products are not to be overlooked either—they’re richly pigmented and accommodate a huge range of skin tones.
Black-Owned Lifestyle & Wellness Brands
Organic Loven
Black-owned online sex shop Organic Loven carries some of the best vibrators on the market. Established by erotic educator and “sex goddess” Taylor Sparks, the site stocks popular brands like Lelo, We-Vibe, Satisfyer, and more.
The Honey Pot Company
The Honey Pot Company is the first plant-based feminine care system, selling all kinds of menstrual-care products like tampons, pads, liners, cups, and sponges that are made with ingredients that are kinder on Mother Earth—and kinder on your body, since everything is free from chemicals, toxins, artificial fragrance, or anything synthetic. The products are all developed and tested by women and are gynecologist-approved. You can find the brand at local grocery stores and at Target nationwide.
Golde
Passionate about holistic health, Brooklyn’s Trinity Mouzon Wofford launched Golde in 2017 with the intention of making the wellness space more inclusive and accessible—in the last five years, her matcha and turmeric-based lattes have gained national appeal. You can find her powdered tonics at major retailers like Amazon, Free People, Madewell, and Urban Outfitters.
Yowie
Calling all Philly residents: Yowie is a home and lifestyle boutique founded by Shannon Maldonado. Both in store and online, it showcases all kinds of housewares, kitchen goods, and trinkets made by friends of the brand, independent artists, and designers—including cult favorites like Graza, Sophie Lou Jacobsen, Ghia, and Le Puzz.
Lor Tush
Baltimore-based toilet paper brand Lor Tush was founded in the early days of the pandemic, and it would be worth supporting for its sustainability-minded ethos alone; it’s all made from sustainably sourced bamboo, doesn’t use plastic packaging, and has supersoft three-ply sheets. But the company’s founders, sisters Nnadagi and Louise Isa, also give their products away to people in need; they’ve already donated thousands of rolls across Baltimore with no plans to stop.
Partake
Certified B Corporation Partake is the grocery store cookie brand you wish you had growing up. All Partake products are vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and formulated without the top nine allergens—they’re also objectively delicious. Founder and CEO Denise Woodard started the brand in 2016 after her daughter was diagnosed with multiple food allergies—and since then, it’s expanded from her own kitchen into countless pantries.
Partake Chocolate Chip Cookies
When Denise Woodard's young daughter was diagnosed with multiple food allergies, Partake was born. From cookies to crackers, each product is certified gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, and are free of the top nine allergens (wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, milk, eggs, soy, fish, sesame and shellfish.)
The Lit. Bar
Also known as “the official bookstore of Wakanda and the Bronx,” The Lit. Bar was founded by Noëlle Santos and is currently the only general-interest bookstore to serve its borough’s 1.4 million people. To support it (and other Black-owned bookstores around the country) from afar, you can browse the store’s Bookshop storefront.
Dope Coffee
Caffeine lovers, come get your fix. Dope Coffee sells whole-bean and ground coffee, as well as coffee-based skin care products, branded mugs, and hip-hop-inspired merch. We’re feeling more awake already.
Harlem Candle Company
The Harlem Candle Company is a luxury home and fragrance company inspired by the Harlem Renaissance. Founded by travel and lifestyle expert Teri Johnson in 2014, the brand celebrates New York City culture and the legacy of Black icons like Billie Holliday and Langston Hughes with aromatic soy candles that can “transport you through time and place.”
Black-Owned Home Decor Brands
Jungalow
What started as a design blog by Justina Blakeney in 2009 has since grown into a burgeoning lifestyle brand and store known as Jungalow. Whether you’re looking for designs by Blakeney or unique pieces from artisans around the world, it’s a one-stop shop for feel-good art and eclectic home decor. (And for each order, the brand will plant at least two trees.)
Goodee
Goodee is a global marketplace that sells items from minority artisans and “fosters transparent sourcing, upcycling, [and] ethical treatment of its employees.” It was founded in 2017 by twin brothers Byron and Dexter Peart, the designers and creative directors behind the accessories brand Want Les Essentiels.
Clare
Designer Nicole Gibbons set out to simplify the process of shopping for paint with her direct-to-consumer brand Clare. Don’t know what colors to choose? Use the brand’s handy interactive guide. Feeling noncommittal? Clare’s paint swatches are mess-free. Can’t get to the store? It delivers straight to your doorstep.
Linoto
An interior designer favorite, Linoto makes heirloom-worthy linen sheets (yes, you read that right) that get better with age–and in nearly every shade imaginable. They’re an investment, but worth the money when you consider that you’ll spend roughly a third of your life in bed.
Lichen
Helmed by creative forces Jared Blake and Ed Be, Lichen is a design studio based in NYC’s Ridgewood, Queens, neighborhood that also happens to sell dope homewares—think seating, lighting, storage, and other accessories that’ll make your space that much cooler.
Soukie Modern
With Soukie Modern, cofounders Kenya Knight and Taib Lotfi merge their two worlds—Palm Springs and Marrakech—to bring you rug textiles, designs, and other vintage treasures. The company’s Palm2Palm vision signifies “a pair of trees, two hands pressed together in prayer, or a hand reached out to offer assistance or friendship.”
Curves by Sean Brown
With wares like CD-shaped rugs, tote bags emblazoned with images of Missy Elliott, and puzzles of Foxy Brown, Sean Brown’s home label pays homage to Black icons. Other wares include Birkin-shaped piggy banks and high-design inflatable chairs, mixing good taste with an even better sense of humor.
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Lolly Lolly Ceramics
Meet your newest ceramics obsession. Lalese Stamp from Lolly Lolly Ceramics makes everything in her Ohio studio, and her output (including Insta-worthy mugs, enamel pins, and T-shirts) makes perfect gifting material.
Estelle Colored Glass
Founder Stephanie Summerson Hall drew inspiration for her line from her grandmother, Estelle, who collected antique colored glass. The hand-blown pieces are available in an array of dazzling hues, and they’d make for a killer housewarming present or engagement gift.
