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August is National Black Business Month, and it's the perfect time to highlight and support organizations that promote economic freedom for Black families.
National Black Business Month began in 2004 when California-based engineer and businessman Fred E. Jordan, along with author and journalist John William Templeton, sought a way to highlight Black-owned businesses. Jordan recognized that Black business owners had a need for resources and community support if they were going to be successful and thrive. According to the United States Census Survey of Business Owners, the ratio of black businesses to the Black population in the United States is disproportionate.
Jordan and Templeton's aim is to call attention to Black-owned organizations through community outreach that provides access to resources to help community members go into business for themselves and ultimately begin to close the wage gap that exists within Black families.
Why should I support Black-owned businesses?
Jeff Bezos's recent controversial expression of gratitude to Amazon customers and employees, indicating that 'you guys paid for all this,' was not met well with critics and reflects a need to move away from current spending habits. In a time when so many families are struggling to keep their heads above water as a global pandemic rages on, it's clear that consumers need to find places to spend their money that support equality and a sense of community in their practices.
Here are 9 Black-owned businesses — and resources to help you find Black-owned businesses — that offer the products and services you need.
Black business women leading the way in wellness and coaching
Black Business Month is the perfect time to support Black businesswomen who are excelling and teaching others how to do the work to succeed. Because if there's one thing Black women know, it's how to handle and rise above adversity and thrive while doing so.
1. Learn how to manifest your dream life
Danielle Faust is a mindset and manifestation coach and host of the, Manifest it, Sis! podcast. Her 5-Day Manifesting Breakthrough Challenge will help you raise your vibes to align yourself toward your goals and desires. "I help women heal old wounds, reprogram their subconscious, connect to their intuition, and manifest their desires with more ease and flow," Faust told Mom.com.
2. Relationships take work and couples counseling may be the answer
Inside Out Counseling and Coaching is the only Black-owned husband and wife counseling agency in Memphis, Tennessee. Katherine Shorter and her husband, Jermaine, help couples facilitate transformation from the inside-out and serve premarital, marriage, first responder, addictions, and other mental health support.
3. Grow your business from the ground up with an expert by your side
Felicia Hatcher is a business coach and author. She offers virtual and in-person consulting and coaching to help women create a strategy and plan to reach and exceed their business and professional goals.
How can I support Black businesses?
If you're wondering how you can support Black business, it's important to realize that most of what you can find in big box stores can be found locally or through a small businesses website. It may take a little bit of time to research, but they're out there.
4. If it's books you want, Amazon isn't the only option
Find Black-owned independent booksellers near you; this Oprah Daily list of 125 bookstores is a good start.
5. Haircare is a booming business online
Despite the fact that you can find everything you need at the big box stores, there are likely similar if not better items available from Black sellers. Healthy Natural Hair Products keeps an updated list of over 100 haircare companies to help you support Black-owned businesses.
6. Support Black-owned restaurants in your community and while traveling
According to CBS News, Black-owned small businesses were hit harder than white-owned companies as a result of the pandemic. "Since the beginning of this pandemic, 400,000 small businesses have closed and millions more are hanging by a thread," the article quoted from Joe Biden's February Payment Protection Program (PPP) announcement. "It's hurting Black, Latino, and Asian American communities the hardest."
Help keep these businesses afloat by visiting Black-owned restaurants in your state. Black Excellence lists 101 Black-owned restaurants throughout the United States.
Black business directories
In some areas, it may be easier to find businesses to support during National Black Business Month than it is in others. For example, in Washington DC, 28% of businesses are black-owned according to the Survey of Business Owners.
7. There's a Black-owned business for that
Much like Apple's trademark slogan, there are businesses in the Black community that offer everything you need in everyday life. NBC News rounded up 200 Black-owned businesses to support in 2021 and beyond.
8. Support Black farmers in your community
Whether it's an urban farm like Fresh Future Farm in North Charleston, South Carolina; a community garden like We Sow We Grow in West Pullman, Chicago; traditional farms, local crabbers and shrimpers, foragers, and everything in between — Black Farmers Index lists the largest directory of Black-owned farms in the United States.
9. In 2019, Black women accounted for over 89% of new businesses startups
Among them, are doctors, skincare experts, yogis, business coaches, and many other women making strides and thriving in their businesses. Create Cultivate recently highlighted 99 Black women-owned brands and entrepreneurs you need to know.
