All week on our Instagram stories we’ve been featuring Black-owned businesses so you can support them, vote with your dollars, and celebrate these talented small business owners. The idea started after a personal post on social media and reading that independent Black-owned businesses have declined sharply over the past decades, with Black women facing particular barriers to funding. Highlighting these shops felt like a small way to help.
Your responses were incredible. After I shared some favorites, your DMs poured in with dozens — then hundreds — of recommendations across home, food, fashion, beauty, travel, weddings, and professional services. We’re still working through every suggestion, but below you’ll find more than 500 recommended shops organized by category. Many ship nationwide (and some internationally); where location was provided we’ve noted it so you can shop locally if you prefer.
Over the past week I’ve exchanged messages with many of these makers. A recurring sentiment: owners are amazed by traffic spikes and items selling out — and deeply grateful. Many were close to closing during the pandemic and now see tangible changes in their businesses. None of the links below are affiliated; your purchases directly support the makers and small business owners featured here. If you can’t buy right now, sharing a shop with someone who might be interested also helps a lot.
We’ll keep expanding this list and featuring these businesses in future gift guides, blog posts, the podcast, and on Instagram stories. Now, here are the shops organized by category — enjoy browsing.
Furniture & Decor
- Batiqua (#5): Handmade fair-trade batik textiles including pillows and table runners.
- BLK Market Vintage: Curated Black curiosities, heirlooms, and collectibles (Brooklyn, NY).
- Bolé Road Textiles (#1): Vibrant home decor handwoven in Ethiopia (Brooklyn, NY).
- Clare Paint: Simplified online paint shopping with curated colors and test swatches.
- Coco & Seed: Indoor garden kits, mugs, and coasters.
- Estelle Colored Glass (#3): Colorful handblown glass accessories (South Carolina).
- Expedition SubSahara: Senegalese home goods made by African artisans, supporting girls’ education (St. Louis, MO).
- Greenhouse Mercantile: Accessories, apothecary, and kitchenware supporting makers and American-made products (Newnan, GA).
- Grounded Plants (#6): Houseplants shipped to your door, including subscriptions.
- Jungalow: Colorful furnishings and curated global goods (Los Angeles, CA).
- Linoto: Linen bedding, towels, and curtains (Buchanan, NY).
- Nicole Crowder Upholstery (#2): Custom upholstery, pillows, and workshops (Washington, DC).
- Post 21 (#4): Mother-daughter shop celebrating Black-owned brands for home and body.
- Pottery by Osa: Handmade terra cotta pottery (Baton Rouge, LA).
- Reflektion Design: African textile-inspired baskets, tableware, and pillows (LA and Atlanta).
- SampleHAUS: Upcycled interior design waste turned into pottery and decor (Los Angeles, CA).
- Sierra Clay Art: Rustic handmade pottery with proceeds supporting Campaign Zero (Lake Tahoe, CA).
- Soukie Modern: Moroccan Berber rugs, kaftans, and bags (Palm Springs, CA).
- Tal & Bert: Hand-poured concrete planters, vessels, and tea light holders (Pittsburgh, PA).
- Woodward Throwbacks: Salvage and reclaimed woodworking projects (Detroit, MI).
Clothing & Accessories
- A Herd Of Bison: Bespoke garments and moccasins with cultural storytelling (Houston, TX).
- A Leap Of Style: Women’s fashion with bold colors and patterns.
- District of Clothing (#6): Comfortable apparel promoting progress and self-love (Washington, DC).
- BYNDR Leather Goods: Leather purses, wallets, and accessories (Dallas, TX).
- Fly Nerd Apparel: Quirky, casual clothing (Baltimore, MD).
- Geek Chic Fashion: Ethically made, size-inclusive clothing empowering women in STEM (Pittsboro, NC).
- Hats by Bunn: Handmade hats, a Harlem favorite for decades (New York, NY).
- Love Iguehi: Colorful African Ankara print apparel (Oakland, CA).
- Now Boarding: Handmade clutches, totes, and wallets using global materials (Indianapolis, IN).
- Odin Leather Goods: Leather bags, wallets, and belts handmade in Texas.
- Pluck’d Designs: Reflective clothing and accessories for visibility and safety (London, UK).
- Talley & Twine: Quality watches and timepieces (Portsmouth, VA).
- The Tiny Closet: High-quality handmade minimalist clothing (Los Angeles, CA).
- Truth & Gold (#2): Clothing that meets parenthood and activism with positive messaging.
- Zumi: Curated fair-trade and handmade clothing, jewelry, and home goods (Des Moines, IA).
Jewelry & Crystals
- A is for Avery: Minimalist handmade clay earrings and woven wall art (Ann Arbor, MI).
- Agape GEMS: Gemstone and precious metal jewelry celebrating resilience (Atlanta, GA).
- Aisha Likes It: Afrobohemian jewelry using ethically sourced materials (Philadelphia, PA).
- The Lotus Den (#2): Crystals, healing decor, and jewelry (Chicago, IL).
- Occéane (#1): Jewelry and clothing studio based in Ohio (Cleveland, OH).
- Sun & Selene: Small-batch jewelry using recycled metals and natural gemstones (Richmond, VA).
- The Tiny Tassel (#6): Bright tassel jewelry and accessories (Charleston, SC).
- Valerie Madison Jewelry: Custom engagement rings and fine jewelry (Seattle, WA).
Beauty, Personal Care & Cleaning
- Afrocenchix: Natural haircare products (London, UK).
- Black Girl Sunscreen: Sunscreen designed for darker skin tones (Van Nuys, CA).
- Briogeo Hair Care: Custom haircare regimens (New York, NY).
- CurlMix: Clean beauty products for curly hair.
- GlowRx: Hydrating and soothing skincare (Washington, DC).
- Golde: Superfood-boosted face masks and wellness essentials (Brooklyn, NY).
- HoneyMilk: Gentle non-toxic skin and hair care, including soap options.
- Natty Naturals (#3): Organic skin, body, and hair care (Chattanooga, TN).
- Oyin Handmade: Food-grade ingredient body products sold online and in stores nationwide.
- PUR-HOME (#1): Earth-safe cleaning and laundry products (Pahrump, NV).
- Soap Distillery: Cocktail-inspired soaps, lip balms, scrubs, and candles (Chicago, IL).
Candles
- 228 Grant Street Candle Co: Soy wax, additive-free candles (Baltimore, MD).
- Black Box Candle Co: Hand-poured, non-toxic soy candles with playful names.
- Frères Branchiaux Candle Co (#2): Vegan candles made by three brothers donating part of proceeds to homelessness (Washington, DC).
- Maktub Studio: Candles with natural wood wicks paired with curated playlists (Los Angeles, CA).
- Rhythm & Flow Candle Co (#4): Clean vegan candles inspired by music (Fayetteville, GA).
- Unlax Candles (#1): Handcrafted soy candles designed to unwind and relax (Suffolk, VA).
Food & Treats
Baked Goods & Desserts
- Apple Butter Bakery: Cupcakes and custom wedding cakes (Stone Mountain, GA).
- Bakes By Kari: Homemade cookies and pies (Chicago, IL).
- Blondery: Blondies and gift sets that ship nationwide (Brooklyn, NY).
- Cookie Society: Gourmet cookies shipped nationwide (Frisco, TX).
- Mama’s Biscuits: Gourmet biscuits shipping nationwide (Frederick, MD).
- Queen Esther’s Cupcakes: Cupcakes with a portion of profits supporting survivors of abuse (Denton, TX).
- Southern Roots: Vegan cookies, donuts, and more shipped nationwide (San Antonio, TX).
- Tubby’s Taste (#1): Vegan desserts inspired by Jamaican-American roots, with ship-able cookie boxes.
Coffee & Beverages
- BLK & Bold Coffee: Fairtrade coffee and tea with a mission to support at-risk youth (Des Moines, IA).
- Boon Boona Coffee: African-sourced coffee roastery with subscription options (Renton, WA).
- Portrait Coffee: Single-origin, ethically roasted coffee (Atlanta, GA).
- Dope Coffee: Black and veteran-owned specialty coffee company (Atlanta, GA).
- Me & The Bees: Premium bottled lemonade supporting bee conservation (Austin, TX).
- Uncle Nearest: Whiskey honoring the first documented African-American distiller (Shelbyville, TN).
Popcorn
- Cravings Gourmet Popcorn: Gluten- and nut-free gourmet popcorn in creative flavors (Lansing, MI).
- Lammar Marie Gourmet Popcorn (#2): Veteran-owned sweet and savory popcorn flavors (Richmond, VA).
- PrePOPsterous: Boldly flavored popcorn shipping nationwide (Bridgewater, VA).
- Soul Popped Gourmet Popcorn: Soul-food-inspired popcorn (Austin, TX).
Art & Art Products
- addyeB: Abstract paintings and community advocacy (Philadelphia, PA).
- Allison Ford (#3): Abstract paintings and prints (South Carolina).
- Calida Garcia Rawles (#4): Photo-realistic paintings of people in water (Los Angeles, CA).
- Etta Vee (#1): Vibrant paintings and painted products like tumblers and stationery.
- Reyna Noriega (#6): Art prints and products including wrapping paper and earrings.
- Flux Imagery: Prints and online art classes by an illustrator and watercolor artist (Denver, CO).
- Vincent Keele Fine Art: Abstract art printed on homewares and clothing (Lake Stevens, WA).
Stationery, Books, & Bookstores
- AC Books: Children’s bookstore with thoughtful, diverse titles (Atlanta, GA).
- Black Pearl Books: Independent bookstore promoting diverse literature (Austin, TX).
- Brave & Kind Bookshop: Family bookstore with a curated selection of diverse kids’ books (Decatur, GA).
- Mahogany Books (#6): Independent bookstore specializing in books by, for, and about Black people (Washington, DC).
- Paper And Stylo (#1): Pens, stationery, and paper organization (Philadelphia, PA).
- EyeSeeMe Children’s Bookstore: The largest collection of African American children’s books in the US (University City, MO).
- Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books: Community space offering Black-centric literature (Germantown, PA).
Kids, Baby, & Pets
- Annie The Brave: STEM-inspired dresses for girls (Twentynine Palms, CA).
- Because of Zoe (#1): Handcrafted bows and headbands for kids.
- Fusion Dolls: Multicultural dolls promoting self-love (Boston, MA).
- KIDO: Children’s clothing, books, toys, and gifts celebrating diversity (Chicago, IL).
- Little Nomad (#4): Curated kids’ clothing, toys, and accessories (Richmond, VA).
- Puzzle Huddle (#3): Kids’ puzzles that feature diverse characters.
- Trill Paws: Limited-edition pet tags, collars, toys, and accessories (Los Angeles, CA).
Learning, Advice, And Services
- Aesthete Vagabond Co: Full-service interior design studio (Santa Rosa, CA).
- Black Girl Ventures: Supporting BIPOC entrepreneurs to access capital and networks.
- Career Maven Academy: Career coaching and talent development (Winston-Salem, NC).
- Journey to Launch: Financial blog and podcast offering practical money advice (New York, NY).
- Sense 2 Cents: Financial literacy programs for children and adults.
- Shunta Grant (#3): Business coach and podcaster focusing on intentional career and life design.
- Tidied By K: Luxury home organization services and downloadable guides (Atlanta, GA).
- Wealth Over Now: Financial coaching to drive behavioral change (Washington, DC).
Fitness
- Claudette Evans Yoga: Online yoga classes via Zoom (Seattle, WA).
- Free Mvmt Shop: Daily dance, yoga, and cardio classes on Zoom (Chicago, IL).
- GymHooky: Online coaching and virtual workouts for busy women (Bay Area, CA).
- Women’s World Of Boxing: Women-only boxing gym (Harlem, NY).
Travel, Wedding, And Events
- Akwaaba B&B and Inns: Luxury bed-and-breakfasts celebrating diversity (East Coast locations).
- Brown Girls Travel: Travel adventures, retreats, and consulting (Los Angeles, CA).
- Joy Quest Travels (#2): Travel agent specializing in Caribbean trips and tailored itineraries.
- Milk & Honey Travels (#6): Luxury travel design focused on authentic experiences.
- Pursuit Travel: Boutique travel consultant specializing in solo travel (Washington, DC).
- Mylina Russell Photography: Wedding and family portrait photography (Raleigh, NC).
- Nicole Bakes Cakes: Artistic wedding and special-occasion cakes (Los Angeles, CA).
If you provide professional services and want to volunteer (bookkeeping, web design, photography, etc.) to help Black-owned businesses, please check the volunteers page listed on our site to sign up or see who’s already offered support. Thank you to everyone who’s shared, purchased, and lifted these makers — your support makes a real difference.