February is Black History Month and there’s no better time to celebrate some of our favorite black-owned small businesses. At Intuit, proud maker of TurboTax and QuickBooks, we celebrate diversity and the contributions that African Americans have made across history.
That’s why we’ve created a list of black-owned businesses that have recently attended our onsite pop-up shops that are also available online. They encompass a broad range of offerings so no matter what you need, you’re able to support local black-owned businesses selling wares from clothing and jewelry, to books and education, to health and beauty.
Ashay by the Bay
Owned and operated by founder and CEO Deborah Day, Ashay by the Bay is a book reseller that specializes in African American and multicultural books for babies, children, and young adults. With a focus on educating and empowering children through literacy, the independent minority-owned business provides books that include positive images and represent African American culture.
Uhuru Pies
Fresh-baked with quality, natural ingredients, Uhuru Pies can be found at local markets, pop-ups, festivals and in stores in the Bay Area and St. Petersburg, Florida. They include mouth-watering gems like Africa Apple Pie, Chocolate Bourbon Pecan and Vegan Sweet Potato. Not just a pie business, the company has been part of building an independent economy for African people since 1981.
Bass Note Sangria
“Wine is serious … Sangria is FUN!” That’s the tagline for Bass Note Sangria, maker of award-winning bottled Sangria that comes in flavors such as Blackberry Sage, Cherry Lime Almond and Peach Tarragon. California made and available in numerous Bay Area stores.
House of Azara
If you’re one of the many people who suffer hair loss due to alopecia, lupus, cancer, stress, or a host of other conditions, or even if you just like changing up your hairstyle often, House of Azara offers a wide range of wigs, hairpieces, accessories and custom pieces.
Candid Art
Founded by Candice Cox, this Oakland, CA based business sells jewelry, childrens clothes and home décor inspired by African visual culture, indigenous designs and cosmic geometry. Candid Art sells chic designs that are handcrafted for the fearless fashion enthusiast.
African Woodcarving & Handicrafts
If you’re looking for authentic handmade African and African-American-themed art, home decor, wood carvings, custom designs and handicrafts, look no further. African Woodcarving & Handicrafts is run by a husband and wife team, Emmanuel Opoku and Monique Butler. All the carving is done by Emmanuel, a master woodcarver from West Africa with over 20 years of woodcarving experience!
Small businesses and entrepreneurs like these are the backbone of communities around the world. Their diversity reflects the character of their customer base and the rich diversity of the communities we live and work in. They serve as anchors for commercial hubs, bringing together local investments and opportunities.
We celebrate these businesses not only during Black History Month but every day. It’s an important part of our mission to support small businesses and power prosperity worldwide, because only together can we truly prosper.