Black History Month is celebrated in the United States and Canada every February. This year’s theme, “Acts of Courage,” is clear in the stories and products of the following small business owners. From a deck of cards that celebrates the cultural importance of spades in Black America, to a social group pairing hip-hop with environmentalism, and even gourmet popcorn with soul-food inspired flavors, there’s something on this list for everyone.
Today and every day, we hope you join us in celebrating and supporting Black‑owned businesses.
Actually Curious is a card game that brings people closer together, using the science and psychology of emotional connection. Each of the different Actually Curious decks includes contributions and input from psychologists, journalists, crisis negotiators, game developers, culture creators, and industry experts to teach the tools of empathy and active listening through play.
BLK + GRN features all Black artisans, carefully chosen by Black health experts who know what an all-natural product truly looks like. Their marketplace connects Black people with natural lifestyles to high-quality, toxic-free brands that share in their mission of health, wellness, and community cultivation.
Through weaving spirituality and holistic health, Black Girl Magik is establishing an entirely new approach to online wellness and education to help you grow in community. Their purpose is to help you in awakening the healer within through practices and education rooted in wellness and ancestral healing.
Founded by two sisters in the summer of 2020, the idea of a black-owned marketplace came to them when they had difficulties finding online stores that were black-owned and sold black-owned products. The Blvck Market was created to be a digital space where individuals can find and buy black-owned products all in one place. Whether you’re looking for hair care, skincare, or self-care products, they have something for you.
Blondery is a one‑of‑a‑kind, virtual bakery that presents limited‑release, seasonal blondie collections throughout the year to their nearly 10K (and counting) waitlist members.
For many Black Americans, spades has always been a rite of passage. In celebration of its cultural importance, founder E. Mackey thought it didn’t make sense that there wasn’t a deck that reflected the people that were playing it.
Cajou Creamery is the world’s first Black‑owned, plant‑based creamery making hand‑crafted cashew milk ice cream. Nicole Foster and Dwight Campbell began experimenting with dairy‑free milks when they learned their children were lactose intolerant. When they couldn’t find anything on the market without artificial tastes, textures or ingredients, they made their own.
Cup of Té is a premier online retailer of loose leaf organic teas and teaware. Based in Ontario, Canada, they’re dedicated to enriching lives through the experience of premium teas, specially made from organic ingredients.
Dive in Well believes we all have a right to be well, which means creating an equitable wellness industry. They provide the tools to empower both individuals and businesses in the form of digital workbooks, workshops, consulting, and corporate training.
Freedom Apothecary believes in holistic wellness as a means of radical self-care. They’re passionate about cultivating a community and creating experiences that make you feel radiant inside and out with their products. For them, radiant beauty and wellness are not commodities and everyone is deserving of uncovering their glow and finding their freedom.
Highbrow Hippie was created to fill a void. Their goal is to expand the definition of a salon and return to its historical meaning – a gathering place to exchange thoughts and ideas. For everyone who can’t visit their salon in person, they have a carefully curated selection of beauty, wellness, and conscious living products for sale.
Hip Hop is Green is a pioneering movement led by a team of artists and performers that use the power and influence of Hip Hop to speak to youth and spark positive changes in their lives. They provide powerful, life changing programs for underserved, low-income urban youth and their families in areas of health and wellness through creative media and live events.
Discover the works of Tyler Clark, creator of the 3D painting movement. She makes stunning 3D portrait art made with synthetic hair you can feel and 2D reproductions and accessories.
Mark Boles founded Intrinsic Provisions in May of 2019 and is the second of three Black-owned outdoor stores in the country. They offer a curated brand experience for your life both out and about and in, tethered to values around equity, inclusion and sustainability. At Intrinsic Provisions you’ll find gear you can feel good about.
At Iya, they create everyday foods with a touch of innovation using African superfoods for nourishment and extra flavor. After moving from Lagos, Nigeria to the United States, their founder Toyin Kolawole was passionate about introducing her kids to the diverse, nutrient dense, plant-based ingredients from her childhood. Now their approach focuses on a food ecosystem that is sustainable, beneficial to the farmers, and affordable.
KIDS SWAG is a play on words. They are a destination for swag (their products) to inspire swag (self-confidence). They’re devoted to becoming a one-stop destination for premium children’s products inspired by Black girls and boys from around the world.
Me & the Bees Lemonade is a freshly‑squeezed lemonade with Texas wildflower honey and flaxseed. At four years old, Mikaila started with a lemonade stand out in front of her home and at youth entrepreneurial events. She donates a percentage of the profits to local and international organizations fighting hard to save the honeybees. That is why she touts: “Buy a Bottle…Save a Bee.”
Paige’s Candle Co candles are hand made with vegan soy wax and a blend of phthalate-free fragrance and essential oils. Their fragrance blends are hand crafted in New York City and a portion of sales are donated to offer free craft classes to non-profit organizations.
Created in 2016 by Founder and CEO Denise Woodard, when her daughter was diagnosed with multiple food allergies, Partake offers a selection of delicious, allergy-friendly products like crunchy and soft baked cookies, baking mixes and more. All products are certified gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, and are free of the top 9 allergens (wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, milk, eggs, soy, fish, sesame and shellfish).
For anyone that’s tired of suffering from an itchy scalp while wearing their favorite protective styles, Ciara Imani May created Rebundle, a company that makes plant-based hair extensions from banana fiber. She educated herself on what true sustainability is, and turned over every stone to find the technology that would give your scalp and the Earth the love it deserves.
Sade Baron has one simple goal in mind: to create high-quality vegan body products packed with nutrient-rich superfoods that are good for both your skin and our planet. The skin’s amazingly intricate layers and regenerative powers inspire every one of their products.
For anyone seeking an eco-friendly and affordable alternative to over-scented candles with artificial ingredients, Seventh & Oak makes candles that smell different, look great and don’t come with any toxins. Made in small batches by hand, these candles burn cleaner and longer, so you get a safer and more satisfying self-care experience.
Soul Popped out of Austin, TX, is a Black- and woman-owned business that creates gourmet popcorn. Their mission to share love to all mankind through popcorn is brought to life through flavors inspired by soul food.
SurfearNEGRA is a 501c3 organization focused on bringing cultural & gender diversity to the sport of surf. Through strategic partnerships and year round programming, SurfearNEGRA is empowering kids everywhere to #diversifythelineup!
After realizing that most watch companies just emulated the most popular brands, Talley and Twine set out to create a quality, detailed, attention-grabbing timepiece that spoke to a market that has been ignored by mainstream companies. They’re named after an intersection that was formerly the center of a notorious, crime-ridden neighborhood in Virginia. In recent years, the neighborhood has been completely revitalized and now is a place with a dark past but a bright future; Talley & Twine represents that future.
Trade Street Jam was founded by Ashley Rouse, a trained chef who loves to experiment with flavors and create the unexpected. These low-sugar jams and sauces will elevate any recipe or cocktail.
The Villij is a wellness club empowering women of color to nurture their physical, mental, and emotional health. The Villij builds relatable wellness tools and experiences that affirm women of color.
Their mission is to show women, through the power of community how healthy they can be. They want all women to experience the magic of abundance in health. They achieve this through their coaching programs and retreat experiences.