Black Woman-Owned Businesses to Support Now and Forever

We somehow find ourselves smack in the middle of Women's History Month 2022: We are two years into a global pandemic that continues to disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, and disabled communities. In this context, we witnessed the public murder of Gorge Floyd, a complete lack of justice and accountability for the murder of Breonna Taylor, and continued formal and informal daily assaults on Black communities. While the Summer and Fall of 2020 seemed to bring a renewed energy around racial justice movements and support for Black people and Black-owned businesses, the energy feels like it tapered off. As I talk to colleagues, friends, and Black business owners (particularly woman-owned) we all want to know: what happened to the support?!

Why Shop Black Woman-Owned Businesses?

To be honest, this rationale section feels pretty unnecessary. Why not support Black women creators and innovators? Why not put money into Black communities? Why not diversify the way you spend money?

Besides the ability to find innovative items from Black woman-owned businesses, supporting these businesses helps to close the racial wealth gap, and puts money back into Black communities. Supporting a Black woman-owned business can also be seen as an act of resistance to anti-Black and misogynistic social, political, and economic systems. Data shows that Black women are a very entrepreneurial group: 17% of Black women are in the process of starting or running new businesses compared to 10% of white women, and 15% of white men. However, only 3% of Black women are running mature businesses despite being a highly educated group. Researchers believe the barriers to success are structural including high levels of debt (Black people take on a higher level of debt to go to college, and are less likely to own their own home), types of businesses started, and lack of access to capital and mentorship. More research should be done on this topic as a means of truly understanding the barriers Black women face to entrepreneurship and with the goal of providing real equity-centered solutions to support this group.

With Black History/Futures month behind us, waiting for another injustice or violent act against Black people to renew the desire to patronize Black owned businesses is simply not the way. Therefore, to set us up for a true future of intersectional thrivance (for you and for Black woman business owners), I am sharing six of my favorite Black woman-owned businesses to shop this Women's History Month and beyond!

6 Black Woman-Owned Businesses to Support Now and Forever

1. ReLove: A fashion-forward and sustainability-minded culture hub and resale shop in San Francisco.

→ Top tip: Follow them on Instagram and peep the curated racks in their stories. You can get outfit inspo and shop the items they feature at the same time. Very well curated.

2. Melanin Hair Care: Simple, accessible natural hair care great for curly and coily hair.

→ Top tip: My hair loves the Multi-Use Softening Leave In Conditioner - it actually does what it says (you can use it many different ways) and has saved me so much time and money over the years.

3. Farai London: Beautiful, colorful, and fashion-forward pieces that awaken bad-bitch energy.

→ Top tip: Many Farai London designs set the tone for Spring 2022 with the focus on cutouts, sheer fabrics, and vibrant colors like lime green and hot pink. Lean in!

4. Naza Beauty: A protective styling salon that specializes in coily, kinky, afro-textured hair; an oasis for Black women in San Francisco.

→ Top tip: Not only is this a stunning space to visit, but the stylists here genuinely listen to their clients because they want you to walk out happy. Do your research on the style you want and keep the lines of communication open with your stylist. Also, get the sparkling rosé.

5. Danessa Myricks Beauty: Really gorgeous and versatile cosmetics that inspire play.

→ Top tip: I love the colorfix multipurpose cream pigment in Goldmine and Alien. I love using these as eyeshadows. If you are skilled in makeup/ a makeup artist I can only imagine the fun you can have with these seriously pigmented and versatile colors. Play away!

6. Riot Swim: High quality, fashion-forward swimwear in really good colors, cuts, and fabrics.

→ Top tip: The fire red and matcha colorways look amazing on many different skin tones.