Black Owned, Woman Owned Shopping Guide

Get your BINGO cards out people and check for the word of these times, divest. That is what many others and I are doing now and for the next four years so that it will become second nature to us each time we shop. It is important that we shop items from companies that hold and enforce the same values that you yourself believe in. We want to sow our monies into fertile ground and not futile grounds which is where black people and/ or women are not welcomed nor supported. I learned as a child to not ever go or stay where you are not wanted. 

This holiday season I have been divesting in known anti inclusion corporations and businesses who have made it known that there are not in support of equity in this country. I will be shopping these brands to recirculate my black woman dollars back into my community which is something that most other races do as well. But like clockwork someone will have a problem with that because it’s black people who are doing this when black people have been purposely excluded for centuries.

So, I present to you your black owned and woman owned shopping guide for this holiday season and moving forward.

The Category is Beauty

1. Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Founded by pop icon Rihanna, Fenty Beauty revolutionized the beauty industry with its inclusive range of foundation shades. 

2. UOMA Beauty by Sharon Chuter A beauty brand known for its diverse product offerings and bold representation of Black culture and women. 

3. Pat McGrath Labs by Pat McGrath Founded by the renowned makeup artist Pat McGrath, this luxury brand is celebrated for its high-quality, innovative makeup products. 

4. Juvia’s Place by Chichi Eburu A vibrant, cruelty-free makeup brand with highly-pigmented products, created by Chichi Eburu to celebrate African beauty. 

The Catagory is Fragrance

Here are five Black-owned fragrance brands, each offering unique scents inspired by diverse backgrounds and experiences. Each of these brands brings a unique perspective to the world of fragrance, blending cultural influences and personal stories into their creations: 

1. BROWN GIRL Jane: A fragrance brand focused on wellness through scents that uplift and are expired by the unique experiences of the modern day woman.

2. Chris Collins: Founded by former fashion model Chris Collins, this luxury fragrance brand offers a range of scents inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and French perfumery traditions. 

3. Savoir Faire: A pioneer in Black-owned fragrance brands, Savoir Faire crafts handmade, sensual, bold, long-lasting, and cruelty-free perfumes for both men and women. 

4. KIMBERLY New York: This brand offers a collection of fragrances that reflect the vibrant and artistic spirit of New York, with scents designed for both men and women. 

5. Maya Njie: Drawing from her Swedish and Gambian heritage, Maya Njie creates perfumes that capture elusive moments through scent, preserving personal memories and cultural narratives. 

The Category is Clothing

1. Telfar by Telfar Clemens A unisex fashion brand that blends high fashion with inclusivity. Telfar has become synonymous with stylish, gender-neutral clothing and accessories. 

2. Brother Vellies by Aurora James Known for luxury shoes, bags, and accessories, Brother Vellies combines artisan craftsmanship with global inspiration and supports sustainable fashion. 

3. Laquan Smith by LaQuan Smith A luxury ready-to-wear brand offering fashion-forward pieces that cater to diverse body types and highlight Black culture. 

4. Kenneth Ize by Kenneth Ize A Nigerian designer known for his modern take on African textile traditions, blending African craftsmanship with contemporary designs.

Let’s Find Something For the Home

Shop these Black-owned and/or woman-owned brands that offer unique products for the home. Each of these brands brings a distinctive perspective to home décor, blending cultural influences, sustainability, and design to enhance living spaces: 

1. Jungalow: Founded by designer Justina Blakeney, Jungalow offers a vibrant collection of bohemian-inspired home décor, including furniture, textiles, and art, reflecting a love for color and pattern. 

2. Harlem Candle Company: This luxury home fragrance brand specializes in scented candles inspired by the richness of Harlem’s history and culture, aiming to capture the essence of the Harlem Renaissance. 

3.  Goodee: A curated marketplace founded by brothers Byron and Dexter Peart, Goodee offers sustainable and ethically made home goods from artisans around the world, focusing on quality, craftsmanship, and social impact.

4. BLK MKT Vintage: A Brooklyn-based antique shop specializing in Black collectibles, cultural artifacts, and vintage wares, offering unique pieces that reflect and celebrate Black history and culture. 

Sparkle and Shine

Here are five Black-owned and/or woman-owned jewelry brands offering unique and diverse designs. Each of these brands offers distinctive jewelry pieces that reflect their founders’ cultural heritage and commitment to quality craftsmanship: 

1. Stella & Haas: A Black-owned jewelry and accessory brand that provides affordable, everyday pieces designed for everyone.  

2. BRWNGRLZ: This brand’s offerings include laser-cut jewelry. Founded by Gretchen Carvajal, they are centered on creating pieces inspired by Black and brown women’s cultures and social movements.  

3. Third Crown: For gender-neutral jewelry designs, this is the brand for you. This brand makes pieces focusing on architectural and geometric pieces that celebrate the merging of two forces to form a singular design. 

4. Adore Adorn: This jewelry line that combines vibrant colors and bold designs, aiming to empower individuals to express their unique style through statement pieces. 

5. Soko: This Black-owned and women-led B-corp jewelry brand that brings Kenyan artisans’ handcrafted designs to the global market, emphasizing sustainability and ethical production.

We Love Shoes

Black-owned shoe brands and offering unique and stylish footwear. Each of these brands brings a distinctive perspective to footwear, blending cultural heritage, innovative design, and quality craftsmanship. 

1. Chelsea Paris: Established by Theresa Ebagua, Chelsea Paris offers luxury footwear inspired by Ebagua’s African heritage, featuring chic boots, loafers, mules, and sandals handcrafted in Italy. 

2. Brother Vellies: Founded by Aurora James, Brother Vellies creates handcrafted shoes and accessories that celebrate traditional African design practices, emphasizing sustainability and ethical production. 

3. Keeyahri: Founded by Keya Martin, Keeyahri is known for its architectural designs and sculptural elements, such as the iconic “swirl” heel inspired by the Ribbon Chapel in Japan, offering bold and confident footwear for trendsetters.  

Protect Your Crown

1. Pattern Beauty by Tracee Ellis Ross Founded by actress Tracee Ellis Ross, Pattern Beauty offers high-quality, curl-specific hair care products catering to textured hair. 

2. Mielle Organics by Monique Rodriguez A natural hair care line created by Monique Rodriguez that emphasizes healthy, natural ingredients to promote hair growth and maintenance. 

3. The Mane Choice by Courtney Adeleye A hair care brand founded by Courtney Adeleye, focused on promoting healthy hair growth with natural ingredients. 

4. Jade and Olive by Camille M. Johnson A hair care line offering natural, eco-friendly products for textured hair, focusing on nurturing healthy hair growth. 

These brands are just a few options of the many Black-owned and women-owned businesses thriving in various industries. They celebrate diversity, culture, and inclusivity, offering high-quality products rooted in innovation and heritage. I challenge you to be more mindful of where your hard earn dollars are going. Don’t blindly support those that would never support someone like you.