NOTE: This post (repurposed from December 2020 and August 2021) contains affiliate links. When you click through, I’m rewarded for your interest, at no cost to you, of course! 🙂
Some of the easiest ways I’ve found how to support Black-owned businesses are:
- Sharing their information; it helps with public awareness, which can in turn reduce their advertising costs.
- Giving referrals; it’s ‘street cred’ in terms of social proof and the all-important Know – Like – Trust factor.
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Purchasing their products / services; an infusion of cash will increase their capital, giving them the means to build and grow.
Other touchpoints not to be overlooked include:
- simply being present
- providing testimonials
- words of encouragement
- personal and emotional support
- consuming and utilizing resources and educational materials
- group and event participation
- brainstorming
- beta testing
EVERYTHING COUNTS.
In no particular order, and being updated as often as possible, this is a ‘work-in-progress’ running list of my touchpoints with Black-owned businesses (each of which I’ve gained something of value from), and may fall into multiple categories:
Authors / Speakers: Shirelle Thorne, Precious L. Williams, Dee Bowden,
Musicians: the Late Eric Marner
Manufacturers: Freedom Paper Company, The True Company, DewBurst, Champ Boxers,
Entrepreneurs: Mannequin Madness
Platforms: Black Junction, We Buy Black, Shades of Commerce, Calendly,
Indie Yarn Dyers: The Crochet Cove, Sassy Black Yarns, Lola Bean Yarn Co, Neighborhood Fiber Co., Swanni Heart Yarn, Passion Knits Yarn, Naima Bond, Fully Spun, Ancestral Fiber Co, Prema Witch Handmade, BzyPeach, Birch Hollow Fiber, Queen’s Yarn Boutique, Off The Hook Flyy / Flyy Dyed, Rhythm Knits, Onyx Fiber Arts, Kitty Pride Fibers / Dye Hard Yarns, AT Haynes House Yarns, Urban Girl Yarns, Mitchell’s Creations
Indie Doll Designers (Knit / Crochet / Fabric): My Kinda Thing (University), My Pretty Brown Doll, TLP Brown Sugar Babies, The Christian Crochet Addict, Hand Knit Gorgeous Dolls
Indie Knit & Crochet Designers / Teachers (besides myself): Shirley Paden, Slip Stitch Needlecraft, Tracey Rivers, Jeanette Sloan, Shanna C. Givens, Creations by Courtney
Indie Artisans / Vendors: Melanin Makes, Pink Crescent Cosmetics, Bubbly Moon Naturals
Textile Artists: Sahara Briscoe, Lorna Hamilton-Brown
Purveyors: Symphony Chips, Elma’s in Harlem, DD Liquors, Blk & Bold Coffee, Serengeti Spices, Heather Johnson, Kat Juice LLC, Amour Geneve Wine (Blue Wine, y’all!)
‘Cousins’: Tiffany Waddell Tate, Angela ‘Amazin’ Tate (hope y’all don’t mind since we have the same last name!)
Braiders: Magic Fingers Studio (and ANY of her graduate braiders)! Mine is Tea’s Hair Styling Box,
Co-Working / Event Space: Cloe’s Corner,
I still have to add many of the people I’ve met over the past year, so be patient with me as I continue to work on the list. If you know anyone I should now…lemme know!