We’re celebrating Black History Month by spotlighting Black entrepreneurs and businesses from around the country. The following brands are ones that we find unique, with interesting offerings and inspiring stories.
New Black-owned businesses have surged since the beginning of the pandemic. In 2020, there were more new Black-owned businesses proportionate to the total population than any other year in the last quarter-century, according to a study by the Kaufman Foundation. Consumers have more opportunities than ever before to support Black businesses, from large enterprises to indie shops.
Here are eight Black-owned businesses to celebrate this month and every month.
1. The McBride Sisters Collection
Not only is The McBride Sisters the largest Black-owned wine company in the United States, but it also pays tribute to Founders Robin McBride’s and Andréa McBride John’s culture and story. The socially aware and sustainable company also created The McBride Sisters SHE CAN Fund, which has awarded almost $40,000 in scholarships and grants to emerging women leaders. Their wine can be found at Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Total Wine & More, Albertsons, and more.
2. The Mane Choice
Registered Nurse Courtney Adeleye started The Main Choice in 2013. Built on a foundatin of beauty, health, and science, the premium, natural, multicultural hair solutions quickly grew a large following and are now available at retailers like Target, Walmart, Ulta Beauty, and more.
3. NightLight Pediatric Urgent Care
Dr. Anastasia L. Gentles, Zawadi Bryant, and Connie Cazares founded NightLight Pediatric Urgent Care to be “a beacon of healing” in the wider Houston community. All eight pediatric clinics are open on nights, weekends, and holidays to ensure kids have easy access to the care they need when their regular pediatrician might not be open.
4. Salamander Hotels & Resorts
After a successful career as a sports entertainment mogul and philanthropist, among other things, Sheila Johnson created Salamander Hotels & Resorts, a high-end hotel management company. With luxury destinations in Jamacia, Florida, South Carolina, and Virginia, Salamander carefully selects properties that reflect the authenticity and character of their city.
5. Kahmune
Inspired by Founder and CEO Jamela Acheampong’s search for nude shoes that matched her skin tone, Kahmune’s luxury shoes come in 10 colors, from “the fairest of skin tones to the darkest of brown.” Each shoe is handmade in Europe and celebrates the diversity of the wearer and of the world. While only sold online right now, pop-ups and full stores are in the works for down the road.
6. Beauty Bakerie
Founder Cashmere Nicole’s mission for Beauty Bakerie is to be sweet and sweeten the lives of others with their cruelty-free, all-inclusive cosmetics. To live up to this vision, the brand not only supports the needs of orphaned children worldwide through its 501(c)3 Sugar Homes, but also actively fights against disparities in the beauty space and injustices in the world. You can find Beauty Bakerie products at Target, Ulta Beauty, CVS, and Nordstrom.
7. The Lit. Bar
As the only bookstore in the Bronx, The Lit. Bar is both a bookshop and a wine bar. Life-long reader Noëlle Santos opened the shop in 2019 after the borough’s last Barnes & Noble closed its doors. While the pandemic may have temporarily closed the bar, the bookshop remains open so patrons can browse its carefully curated selection.
8. Moonlight Roller
Moonlight Roller, launched by Adrienne Cooper, sports the grooviest retro-styled Moon Boot roller skates, skate gear and accessories, clothes, and other merchandise. Hailed by Vogue for helping to bring roller skating back, Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Moonlight Roller is part skate shop, part roller rink, and part franchised mobile skate parties.
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