Racism, though widely under-acknowledged by light-skinned people throughout history, continues to actively and maliciously threaten innocent lives. On this Juneteenth, we solemnly celebrate the 155th anniversary of the end of slavery in this country. While the United States has made some important progress over the last century with regard to equality, we still have a long way to go. Eradicating racism sounds like an overwhelmingly daunting task when you think of all the complexities involved, so today we are focusing on one simple way that you can help to support BLM: buying from Black-owned businesses! Though this may seem like a small way of supporting the BLM movement, it is still an extremely important part of this puzzle. Racism has had many damaging effects on the lives of Black people, and one of those effects has been economic inequality (and with that, lack of equal opportunities for success). By purchasing products from Black-owned businesses, we can give much-needed love and attention to businesses and business owners that have historically not been given their fair share. But it doesn’t stop here: continue to advocate for equality in your day-to-day life, educate yourself on the systemic history of racism, and use your privilege to support and cheer on our fellow Black Americans! Without further ado, here are some fabulous D.C.-based & Black-owned businesses that you can support to make a difference!
Shop Self-Care
“Open Space”: Earl grey black tea, hibiscus, dehydrated lime slices with cinnamon, lavender, ginger, and lemongrass. Buy it here for $18.50.
Good Thoughts Tea Co.
Beginning their business in Chicago, Good Thoughts Tea Co. now operates out of Washington D.C., serving delicious, aromatic blends of teas and spreading smiles throughout the community. They are an “all natural loose leaf tea company that is centered around the healing properties of herbs,” and their main goal is to" “help heal from the inside out, all while reawakening the conversation and experience of tea.” With so much injustice and pain caused by racism throughout history, it is truly so important to give Black people space and time to heal. With soothing tea blends such as “Transcendence”, “Goodnight Moon”, and “Half Rising”, Good Thoughts Tea Co. is doing an amazing job of helping people to take a step back and breathe.
Caravan Organics
Caravan Organics offers vegan, artisan products such as beautifully hand-crafted soaps, soy candles, body butters, and aromatherapy rollers. If you like all-natural beauty/bath/body products, then go ahead and check out owner Dominique Williams’ impressive stock. I personally can’t decide if Cherry and almond scented candles or Sandalwood Vanilla Shea Body Butter sounds better! But you can decide for yourself…
Buy this pretty white tea & ginger soap here!
Purchase your very own Cala-Box here for $39.99/month. Each box contains seasonal wellness products, including teas, spices, family recipes, and seeds to grow your own herbs!
Calabash Tea
If Idris Chai tea infused with hot chocolate and Love Potion #10 Chai tea sound good to you, then you might want to check out Calabash Tea! They sell a large range of products, including teas, tonics, spices, superfoods, coffee, body care, aromatherapy, garden seeds, and more! They also sell a handful of bundles and boxes so that if you’re having a hard time picking out single products, you don’t have to! Chakra incense, ginger and turmeric superfood blends, and “Hug-In-A-Mug” gift baskets are available right now on Calabash Tea’s website.
Shop Fashion & Accessories
Fuggit
As stated on their website, “The FUGGIT brand is a concept to parody the opulence of popular cultural designs through the art of handmade crochet and other forms of art. Through the sale of these crocheted slippers, FUGGIT aims to accomplish 2 things. First, to start the conversation about sneaker violence in the United States. Secondly, to use proceeds from sales to build our brand in order to create content intended to educate others on the reality of material violence and consumerism.” So not only are Fuggit’s products gorgeously hand-crafted, but your purchase will also aid in consumer awareness and support Black artists! What are you waiting for?
These beautifully hand-crocheted sneakers are available here for $59.99.
Buy this dapper Mauritas Cotton Knit Tie here for $14.
JCooperClassics
JCooperClassics offers a wide array of handsome formal wear, including neckties, socks, pocket squares, lapel flowers, cufflinks, and much, much more. Their stylish garments flaunt exciting yet professional color schemes that will have your co-workers eyeing your outfits jealously through Zoom. Don’t believe me? Take a look at their hand-picked personal favorites here, or view their many categories of impressive accessories on their homepage.
Nubian Hueman
Nubian Hueman was founded by Anika Hobbs, who after working for a national fashion brand, gained a “vision of being a catalyst for culture, community, and the development of the creative economy”, thus leading her to create Nubian Hueman. From T-shirts celebrating Black fatherhood to mango face cream to chic Ankara print dresses, Nubian Hueman has a wonderful array of…well, just about everything! They, in partnership with local cultural architects, are also the masterminds behind The Black Love Experience. The Black Love Experience is a “multi-sensory experience of artistry and inventiveness geared towards creatives, revolutionaries, kindred souls, and fearless visionaries celebrating ourselves under the canopy of all things Black.” A portion of the proceed are even donated to support organizations and schools in the Southeast Washington, D.C. community!
Get these intricate moonstone beauties here for $28.
Buy these statement pins here for $6.
Wood You Wear
Wood You Wear has powerful pins for practically any occasion. If you want a pin to celebrate Blackness and Black Excellence, then you’ve come to the right place! Wood You Wear celebrates young artists, activists, and entrepreneurs with their empowering wooden pins. They are perfect for wearing to protests (please stay safe!) or at home while you advocate for Black Lives Matter from a distance. Either way, please consider purchasing one of these fantastic pins.
Shop Misc.
Princess Planet
Princess Planet was created to raise awareness around “the need for culturally diverse material in children’s books”. They make coloring books, story books, and clothes featuring made-up princesses from varying cultures to show kids that all cultures, all skin colors, and all backgrounds are equally beautiful and worth celebrating! These books are not just for POC, though. While it is incredibly important that young children of all backgrounds see their cultures positively represented in media, it is important that all children, no matter their race or ethnicity, learn to see people’s differences as exactly what they are: beautiful. Princesses Kali, Nia, Nulu, and Xo (among many others) have been created to help parents teach their kids important life lessons. To grow as a society, we must see and acknowledge color, understand who has or lacks privilege based on that color, and support the communities that need it the most until all people are treated equally.
Check out Princess Helina here. Kids can learn about her age, favorite color, languages, favorite foods, and life goals. Spoiler: she wants to become a doctor and provide universal healthcare!
Subscribe to support Black-owned businesses here!
Ujamaa Box
If you liked more suggestions on this list than you have money to support (because let’s be real, they’re all amazing!), then this is the perfect place for you to spend your money. Ujamaa Box is a subscription box that curates and ships exciting products from exclusively Black-owned businesses right to your doorstep! With each box received, you are supporting up to 6 Black-owned businesses, you get fantastic products, and you help to keep dollars circulating in the Black community! Some of their past featured items include tea, beauty products, hot sauce, and enamel pins; I don’t know about you, but supporting Black communities and the eradication of racism while enjoying high-quality hot sauce sounds exactly like the kind of life I want to live!
This is a fun little list, but don’t stop here! Keep searching for Black-owned businesses to support, as well as other ways that you can support the Black community. If you’re not sure where to begin your search, try exploring websites such as OfficialBlackWallStreet.com and SupportBlackOwned.com. From all of us here at Studio Gallery, we thank you for taking these steps (big and small!) to support equality!
From staff contributor Halley Stubis.