Small businesses are an important part of our economy and are vital to helping local communities thrive. Where possible, we should always try to support small businesses, but it’s not always easy to figure out how or what are the best ways to contribute to the growth of black businesses. In this article, we will look at how we can support small businesses in detail, looking specifically at how we can support black businesses in different ways.
Ways to Support a Black Business Owner or Black Owned Business
1. Do everything you can to shop at black owned businesses
The best way to support black-owned businesses? With your dollars. Businesses need customers to succeed, and being intentional about where you shop makes a big difference in black businesses. Skip the big sellers where possible and try to use caution if possible. Make it a point to research black business owners to ensure you support local businesses and the black community when you shop.
2. Promoting black businesses on social media
Even if you can financially support black owned businesses, spreading the word is just as important! Promote businesses on social media by sharing your experiences, building awareness for local businesses, and helping them find new customers. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook are all important channels for small businesses, and you can share content to encourage others to buy from black businesses.
3. Set an amount in your budget to support black-owned restaurants and businesses
If you’re looking for ways to support small businesses on a regular basis, try setting aside some money each month. For example, if you usually spend some money eating out, try to do at least one meal with a small business. That way, you get to try something new while also supporting the entrepreneur in a consistent way.
4. Write and post reviews of black-owned stores and businesses
Found a business that offers great service or products and is a black business partner? Post a review about it! Consumers increasingly rely on reviews to make purchasing decisions, and every review helps. Writing detailed, positive reviews on all platforms like Google, Yelp, or their Etsy shop (depending on the business) helps increase their visibility and helps them get new customers.
5. Provide training and resources where possible
Another way to support small businesses is to provide training and resources where possible. Is there any way you can help the business grow? Whether it’s providing pro bono consulting services, or mentoring new business leaders, think about where you can add value to underserved communities.
Amazing Organizations That Support Black-Owned Small Businesses
There are many organizations working hard to support and grow black businesses, including startups, local artisans and emerging businesses.
- Black Founders: Black Founders is a group of entrepreneurs, founders, and community organizers who develop resources and provide services to black entrepreneurs in various business areas.
- Small Business Certificates: Small business certificates for any business where a minority owns at least 25% of the company. Provide networks and resources for minority-owned businesses.
- Small Business Development Center: MBDA is a federal agency and the only agency dedicated to helping small businesses grow and become globally competitive.
- Black Is All: A central resource to help people discover black-owned brands ranging from clothing, accessory brands, beauty products, home decor, and other brands for black women and black men.
- Small Business Development Program: Operation HOPE’s Small Business Empowerment Program focuses on helping small businesses grow through an 8-week entrepreneurship course and other resources.
- Local Chapters of the Black Business Association: The Black Business Association has local chapters across the country dedicated to providing support, resources, and advocacy for growing minority-owned businesses.
- The Coalition to Back Black Businesses: The Coalition to Back Black Businesses focuses on providing financial assistance and resources that support small black businesses and their communities.
12 Black-Owned Businesses to Support
If you’re looking for black-owned brands to support, we’ve rounded up some amazing ones for you to check out. While this is by no means an exhaustive list, think of it as a starting point as you begin to spend more consciously and support small businesses where possible.
1. Uoma and Beauty
UOMA Beauty is one of the best beauty brands out there. The cosmetics company focuses on developing skin-based products and providing different skin tones. UOMA beauty cosmetics are designed to empower women and use high quality natural ingredients and formulations in their products.
2. Love Vera
Love Vera is making a name for herself in the fashion industry with her stylish clothes, such as beautiful underwear. Love Vera was created by a fashion designer who wanted to embrace beauty of all shapes and sizes and celebrate black talent and inclusivity.
3 KNC Beauty
KNC Beauty offers a wide range of beauty products for customers to choose from, including indulgent face masks and nourishing lip masks. KNC Beauty specializes in providing body care and beauty products with its unique colors and designs to create beautiful personal care products.
4. The Fatburger
Fatburger is one of the best black restaurants in the US and abroad and is a mainstay in the food industry. Founded in 1947 by African American Lovie Yancey, Fatburger still serves delicious food and mouth-watering burgers to guests across the country and around the world at its many locations.
5. The Bold and the Beautiful Bookstore
Brave and Kind is a black woman owned bookstore with a variety of books for children and adults. Books are thoughtfully reviewed and selected based on inclusivity, diversity, and creativity to ensure that any books that take up shelf space add significant value.
6. Beauty Benty
Entrepreneur and singer Rihanna has created one of the most prominent black beauty brands in the world with Fenty Beauty. Fenty Beauty has a variety of products from lipstick, lip stains, mascara, and more. This product is also known for its base on different skin tones and has been thoughtfully designed to provide more inclusiveness in the beauty space.
7. Harpo Inc.
One of the largest black owned businesses in the US is Harpo Inc, owned by Oprah Winfrey. Harpo Inc is a multimedia production company and includes the TV channel, Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), and O, Oprah Magazine.
8. Grillz and Granola
Fitness enthusiasts should definitely check out Grillz and Granola for a unique (and sweaty!) workout session. Grillz and Granola are all about empowering women by combining trap, R&R&B, rap, and jumping jacks. They offer both live and virtual workouts and are making a name for themselves in the wellness space.
9. Lemlem
Lemlem is an ethical and sustainable fashion brand that features 100% African-made leisurewear. The items are handmade in Ethiopia, and the brand is committed to supporting small artisans and celebrating the traditional techniques of creating their clothing.
10. Puzzle Huddle
Puzzle Huddle was created by Matthew and Marnel, a young couple who focus on creative diversity. Puzzle Huddle has both simple and complex puzzles featuring different letters with a special focus on STEM letters. They also offer additional products such as blankets, pillows, clothing, and more.
11. Johnson Publishing Company
Johnson Publishing Company was founded by African-American businessman John H. Johnson in 1942 and continues to be one of the largest black businesses in the country. Johnson Publishing Company is the magazine publisher behind Ebony, the popular magazine, as well as several other brands.
12. FUBU
FUBU is a modern sportswear brand that was founded in 1992 and has grown exponentially since then. FUBU stands for Us, By Us and was a brand of basic clothing including casual wear, formal wear, accessories, and other products. FUBU is also expanding into other products, such as multimedia, as it continues to grow.
How to Find Black Owned Businesses
There are many resources available for finding black-owned small businesses, including the ones mentioned above. In addition, you can search for other brands to support by searching them online on social media and other channels. Finally, you can also search for black-owned small businesses in your community that you can support.
What percentage of small businesses are owned by blacks?
According to the latest US Census figures, Black or African Americans own approximately 124,551 businesses in the United States. Although a relatively small percentage, the number of black-owned businesses continues to grow.
What is the biggest black business in the US beauty industry?
There are many competitors to the big black business in the US beauty industry. Currently, Fenty Beauty is considered the largest black business in the US beauty industry and is expected to grow even more as it expands its product lines.
What is the largest black business in the United States?
The largest black owned business in the United States is Fatburger. It has operated for several decades in the United States and has a large presence around the world. While other black-owned businesses are growing rapidly, Fatburger continues to be the largest at this time.
Photo: Depositphotos
