Back in June 2020 (you know, a decade ago and also yesterday?)—a few days after Blackout Tuesday—Durham entrepreneur Justin Minott posted a video on Instagram with a PSA about supporting black businesses that really hit the nail on the head. You can watch it at the link above, but I also want to share a quote. For context, his coffeeshop, Nolia Family + Coffee, and a local candlemaker, Bright Black Candles, collaborated to release a special candle.
Don’t buy this candle out of guilt. Don’t buy this candle because it is the trendy thing to do. Buy this candle because supporting black business is always the right thing. We’re equals, alright? Buy this candle because we’re a business.
He continued with a challenge: set your calendar for a month from that day to support a black business again. When it’s not front-page news anymore, when it’s not trendy to do so. Because Justin knew that the outpouring of support for black businesses would slow to trickle as the headlines changed.
So, when was the last time you supported a black-owned business? It’s okay if you don’t know. Consider it for your next purchase of…anything! I’ve collected some lists to get you started here (many are round-ups from PopSugar and Purewow):
- Hair Care Brands
- Etsy Shops
- Fashion & Beauty Brands
- Clean Beauty Brands
- More Fashion Brands
- Bookstores
- Wellness Brands
- Home Brands
- Brands available at large retailers
- 181 brands (categorized further at the link)
- In Durham, NC
Share your favorite black-owned businesses/brands in the comments!
Happy shopping.