During the height of the pandemic as a result of COVID-19, millions of Americans and businesses have faced financial ruins. From lost of jobs to a decline in sales, resulting in financial instability. Adding to the unrest has been the injustices we’ve seen displayed at the hand of law enforcement against Black men. Although this isn’t anything new, the global pandemic and government-enforced travel bans and social distancing allowed for more time for individuals to truly pay attention and get involved. This led to mass outrage and protests across the country. One of the positive things that have come out of this is if there’s anything positive, is the consciousness of more Black and Brown people, as well as, White individuals looking to support Black-owned businesses. These efforts are essential in offsetting financial equities and in bridging the gap between generational wealth and accessibility for Black people; past, present, and future.
How to support small black businesses during Covid -19
Though the efforts won’t change the hundreds of years of Black oppression and inequities Black families and communities have faced, the acknowledgment is the first step in making true change.
So, how can you get involved? Thanks to a number of other media outlets, you don’t have to start from scratch.
NY Mag has listed 138 Black-owned businesses that you should support. From beauty and fashion, lifestyle companies, book stores, food and drinks, home décor, fitness, health, and more. Find out more HERE.
Oprah magazine has also listed 25 Black-owned businesses you can support right now, CLICK HERE.
An organization called Black Wall Street is also offering Black-owned businesses the opportunity to have their businesses listed in their directory, GO HERE.
I also suggest that you research your local markets and stores, whether digital or brick and boarder, to show your support by taking advantage of their products and services.
Analyze your community. Take a tally of your [Black] friends and/or family members who either own their own businesses, do freelance work, or want to start their own business. You can show your support by buying their product, taking advantage of their services, or being an investor. Sometimes our family and friends may have skills we didn’t know about.
Engage Online. Should you come across a Black-owned business owner online, whether you know them personally or not, show them support by sharing their business with your own social media and digital community. Repost, tag, like, or recommend them verbally. Word of mouth marketing is still one of the best ways to promote.
Look at your inventory. Take a look at the inventory of the products and services that you use and research the owners. If they aren’t Black-owned, do a bit of research on Black-owned companies that provide the same products or offer the same services.
Ask your friends. Along the same lines of looking at your inventory and researching Black-owned businesses that offer the same products and services, ask your friends to take a look at their own inventory and recommend any Black-owned businesses that they’ve come across that has the same offerings.
I am a Black business owner. Shameless plug alert! As a Black-owned business owner, I would love it if you’re able to visit my e-commerce store. The store consists of my custom t-shirt line to preserve the geechee culture, which I grew up on. Support the Its Really Kita Shop.
Given the mistreatment we’ve seen among popular chains and stores dominating the Black communities, I suggest you invest and explore these businesses below and support those that are Black-owned:
- Coffee shops
- Nail salons
- Grocery Stores
- Beauty Supply Stores
- Banks and Financial Institutions
Black professionals in the below fields need your support as well:
- Therapists
- Attorneys
- Teachers
- Yoga instructors/ Fitness experts
- Nutritionists
- Florists
What are some other businesses and professions where Black individuals are often overlooked or pushed out of that you’d like to support if they’re Black-owned?
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