The Black-Owned Shopping Guide

For Black History Month and beyond, there are a number of ways to support the Black community. Diverting your purchasing power to more Black-owned businesses is an important and effective one, helping to strengthen Black economies and address the racial wealth gap.

Practicing anti-racist shopping habits is not optional but necessary for addressing white supremacy in systems like the fashion industry. For this reason, we've compiled a comprehensive list to get you started this season. After this, continuing to research and utilizing tools such as Shoppe Black are great next steps to make shopping Black more than a one-off commitment.

With social distancing and wearing masks still an essential part of keeping yourself and your community safe, a face mask is a thoughtful gift this season. This ruffle mask by Tia Adeola is both practical and cute. The young designer's goal is to reconceptualize history through the lens of fashion to include people of color, drawing from classical Renaissance art.

Founded by childhood friends, BLK&Bold Coffee, available on Amazon, was the first Black-owned nationally distributed coffee brand. BLK & Bold pledges 5% of its profits to initiatives aligned to sustaining youth programming, enhancing workforce development, and eradicating youth homelessness.

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry is a celebration of father and daughter relationships everywhere and an ode to loving your natural hair. This sweet book is the perfect gift for the child in your life.

Powerhandz Weighted Baseball and Softball Gloves are training gloves for the athlete looking to improve their performance and finger and forearm strength. The Black-owned fitness brand also has a variety of other football, baseball, and boxing gear.

Bask & Bloom founder Candera Thompson launched the natural beauty brand after experiencing postpartum hair loss. Full of herb extracts, this hair masque is formulated to restore and strengthen your hair with nourishing ingredients for intense moisture.

Twin designers Corianna and Brianna Dotson established Coco and Breezy with eyewear designs in 2009 and they've since been worn by Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Kelly Osbourne, Nicki Minaj, and more. Their signature eyewear designs (such as the Amazonia, Artemis, Zesiro, and fashion blue-light glasses) are a great designer gift for any eyewear enthusiast.

Frugal Bookstore, the only bookstore in Roxbury and the first black-owned bookstore in Boston, has a variety of books that primarily focus on people of color, including memoirs, children’s books, and more.

Founded in 2014, Made Gold recently relaunched under Black ownership and creative direction. Marika Amegah has come to the forefront of the brand as lead designer and creative director after ghost designing since Made Gold's inception. Check out their denim for their signature lace-up design.

Mented Cosmetics is a black-owned makeup brand started in 2017 by founders Amanda E. Johnson and KJ Miller with the goal of providing women of color with more beauty options. Try their vegan, paraben-free, and cruelty-free everyday palettes, available on Amazon.

Founded by Jamaican entrepreneur Rohan Marley, eco-conscious identity was created in collaboration with the Marley family to carry on Bob Marley’s passion for music and the environment. Quick pairing to any Bluetooth device, these speakers are the perfect gift for any music-lover.

Founded by Burlington, Vermont-based winemaker Krista Scruggs, Zafa Wines is reframing the conversation around sustainability and farming in wine. 100% woman-owned, Zafa uses only biodynamics and organic fruit and has no filtering, additives, or pesticides.

Live By Being makes 100% natural bath and body products in small batches in the USA. Try their All Natural Coconut Milk & Rose Petals Bath Soak or their range of vegan bath salts, all available on Amazon.

Founded by art director Malcolm Dia, Manual is a film-photo company that offers disposable cameras and film-development services. At a great price point, this 27 exposure custom Disposable Camera makes it easy to get started with film photography. Just take your shots, pop your camera in the return mailer and send it back to them for development.

Silked was founded in Los Angeles by Phoenix Gonzalez and Sandra McCurdy. Their beauty sleep products are for all skin and hair types in satin or mulberry silk with vibrant patterns and classic tones.

Brooklyn Tea is based in Bed Stuy is run by a couple with a range of luxurious teas, sold online for a thoughtful gift idea.

House of Aama, founded by mother-daughter Rebecca Henry and Akua Shabaka, celebrates the Black experience by designing timeless garments with nostalgic references, informed by historical research, archival analysis, and storytelling. Manufactured 100% in Los Angeles, their latest collection is available on their online store.

Fear of God creates “solution-based” garments and shoes, with low-key basics that channel inspiration from the everyday. Available on Complex Shop, grab some skate sneakers or socks for the streetwear-lover in your life. Then check out the best Black-owned streetwear and fashion brands that you can support and shop from now.

Hopps Skateboards is a New York-based skate company. Founded and run by professional skateboarder Jahmal Williams, they sell boards, apparel, and accessories designed by local artists.

This powerful, rinse-free cleansing hand gel is an effective yet moisturizing gift for when soap and water aren't available.

Rihanna's iconic Savage X Fenty has a range of cozy and festive lingerie and sleepwear for the holidays.

Amsterdam-based menswear and womenswear brand Daily Paper has released its first sent "Modern Nomads" in collaboration with Zenology. Inspired by the African heritage of its own founders, this home fragrance uses essential oils and aromas like Moroccan Mint Tea, Somali Frankincense, and Ghanaian Cacao, for a scent is designed to take you on a nostalgic journey across Africa.

Black-owned boutique bakeshop Cookie Society, owned by husband and wife duo Jeff and Marissa Allen, has a chewy holiday gift crate that is sure to brighten up anyone's holiday season.

Black Card Revoked is a fun card game (and TV show) that celebrates and tests one’s knowledge of popular Black culture.

Any parent will love Antiracist Baby, the children's book from New York Times bestselling author Ibram X. Kendi which highlights easy first steps to creating a more equitable world.

KNC Beauty is a black-owned beauty brand with a cult following for its lip mask. Founder Kristen Noel Crawley was strolling through Don Quijote in Tokyo when a wall of lip masks caught her eye. Two years later, Kristen created the first all-natural, collagen-infused lip mask, coming in a 5 or 10-pack for easy gifting.

Los Angeles–based owner and designer Angela Medlin from House Dogge makes toys, sweatshirts, leashes that are the perfect gift for your dog.

The Black Home, founded by interior designer Neffi Walker, creates hand-poured soy and coconut wax blend candles with over 60 hours of burn time. 10% of the proceeds of the Pharaoh candle will go towards the Black Lives Matter Movement

Dubbed the "Bushwick Birkin," the iconic unisex Telfar shopping bag is in high demand these holidays, selling out in minutes. This Medium Shopping Bag is coming soon.

JBD Apparel is a Kim Kardashian-approved knitwear brand. Founded in 2017 by Saudia Islam, their cute knitted sets are a gift for the warmer weather to come.

This quality botanical skincare gift set is nourishing and revitalizing. Available on Amazon, order now for a quick and easy gift idea.

Stay warm and cozy this season with these So Good Fluffy Slippers, available on Amazon.

Hyper Skincare "is an easy, results-oriented skincare brand rooted in multiculturalism." Their debut product Hyper Clear helps to heal hyperpigmentation while enhancing glow with its blend of vitamin C, vitamin E, kojic acid, hyaluronic acid, turmeric, and bearberry.

Bevel founder Tristan Walker launched the brand to target the specific problems men of color face while grooming, like hyperpigmentation, ingrown hair, and inflammation. Bevel has now established itself as one of the most popular shavers on the market, with a starter shave kit available as the perfect gift for any beginners.

Inspired by the '90s, Melissa Simone swimwear offers a wide range of nostalgic classic prints and textures reminiscent of looks captured by icons such as Christine Brinkley, Tyra Banks, and Elle Macpherson.

Founded in 2009 by Jamaican jewelry designer Mattew Harris, Mateo New York creates modern fine jewelry with signature pearl designs.

Created by TV presenter, DJ, and designer Flex Mami, Flex Factory has a range of unique gifts for the holidays. From an Eat The Rich plate, to colorful satin pillowcases, to her signature Reflex critical thinking card game, there's something for everyone.

Kido is a Chicago-based shop owned by Keewa Nurullah and her husband Doug. While this adorable kids' wooden pinball machine is pickup only, they have a range of gifts available for delivery, including this book about Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

AAKS bags are created by Ghanaian designer Akosua Afriyie-Kumi. Inspired by and hand-crafted in Africa, the brand merges modern design with ancestral tradition.

Bifties curates gift boxes that feature great gifting items from Black-owned businesses for every occasion. Check out their range of sets for an easy introduction to great Black-owned brands or get creative and build your own.

Philadelphia-based illustrator Kendra Dandy is known for her colorful illustrations and cheeky patterns. The artist has collaborated with the likes of Vans and has prints and phone case designs available on Society6.

Heron Preston is a fashion designer who creates workwear-redefined separates and accessories for both women and men.

Michel Men is an American Menswear brand based in NYC founded by Whitney Michel, a first-generation Haitian American born in Brooklyn. This Silk bandana is made from lightweight silk that easily wraps or folds into any shape, making it a versatile gift.

Mowalola Ogunlesi is a 25-year-old Nigerian-British woman who Kanye West tapped to head the Yeezy Gap design team. Her named brand has a range of printed tees that are perfect for gifting, available on SSENSE.

Los Angeles-based florist Schentell Nunn's studio Offerings delivers dreamy arrangements to the Los Angeles area. To place an order, reach out via the inquiry form on her website, or, through Instagram.

Brothers Khalil and Ahmed Abdullah founded independent game studio Decoy Games. Together, they’ve released Swimsanity! — a multiplayer underwater shooter game available to play on Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, and Steam.

Golde, founded by Trinity Mouzon Wofford and her partner Issey Kobori, wants to make wellness products less confusing and more accessible. Their Matcha Turmeric superfood latte blend is a great gift for wellness-enthusiasts, available on Amazon.

This cookbook, by culinary journalist Toni Tipton-Martin, offers up a comprehensive look at both historical and contemporary African American cooking traditions. With more than 100 recipes, from classics such as Sweet Potato Biscuits to Seafood Gumbo, there's plenty to cook over the holiday season.

There are a number of Black-owned sneaker stores to support during the holiday season and onwards. From Patta in Amsterdam, London, and Milan, to SuccezZ Boutique in Chicago, check out the best stores and boutiques across the world, along with the best Black-owned vintage shops.

For a gift for someone with a sweet tooth, family-owned business Sol Cacao's single-origin sourced chocolate is sure to be both impressive and tasty.