10 Black-Owned Businesses to Shop During Black History Month

Actively Black

Former professional basketball player Lanny Smith founded Actively Black to increase Black representation in leadership roles within the athletic apparel industry. Actively Black works to improve awareness of healthy food options, physical exercise, and historically Black college and universities’ athletics. The business also increases awareness for mental health support and social justice initiatives within Black communities.

Actively Black sells athleisure wear like shirts, tanks, shorts, hoodies, athletic accessories, and bags. Its newest line — Wakanda Athletics — is a collaboration with Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever film.

Pivət

Pivət creates phone cases and other technological accessories using biodegradable ingredients. Owned and operated by Michael Pratt, Pivət makes phone cases designed to protect your phone and help reduce harm to the planet.

Pivət cases are made from bioavailable products. If the cases cannot be recycled or reused, they will break down in landfills in as little as two years. This conscious decision helps limit environmental impact, one of Pivət’s main focus points.

Pivət creates cases for iPhone and Samsung phones, charging cables, and AirPod cases. Its partnership with The Ocean Agency increases awareness for ocean conservation. Pratt’s line of Heritage cases features words and designs that connect to Black Americans.

Baldwin & Co.

Baldwin & Co. is an independent bookstore and coffee shop in New Orleans, Louisiana. Its national reach stems from the inspiration of James Baldwin and the mission to erase poverty and economic inequality while inspiring social justice.

Baldwin & Co. improves community and individual hardship through intellectual growth and economic opportunity. Each purchase from the online bookshop supports Baldwin & Co.’s aim to expand literacy, increase creativity, build confidence, and promote community discussions.

DJ Johnson, founder and owner of Baldwin & Co., developed programs that address education, income, and employment disparities in Black communities nationwide. The Baldwin & Co. Foundation is a nonprofit extension that fights poverty, crime, and the prison pipeline through education and economic improvement.

Pholk Beauty

Founded by Niambi Cacchioli in 2018, Pholk Beauty is a botanical beauty brand that creates natural skincare products. Pholk offers face washes, toners, moisturizers, mists, and masks. Pholk matches your personal skin needs with its expansive product line. The company celebrates women of color by using natural healing elements and herbalist wisdom from the African diaspora.

Different Streetwear

Eighteen-year-old college student Journey Carter created Different Streetwear as a socially conscious clothing brand. Carter studies architecture at the HBCU Prairie View A&M University.

Carter is the designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist behind a larger label called The Journey Collection. The Journey Collection launched when Carter was just 12 years old. A portion of her profits went to youth battling cancer.

Different is a pop-up store located in Los Angeles, California. The store and website sell hoodies, T-shirts, and hats from Carter’s three clothing collections.

BLK & Bold

Founded by Pernell Cezar and Rod Johnson in 2017, BLK & Bold is a coffee and tea company operating out of Iowa. BLK & Bold commits 5% of its profits to organizations that support youth programming and reducing youth homelessness.

BLK & Bold doubled its contributions to initiatives supporting disadvantaged youth in partnership with the NBA. The company sells whole bean and ground coffee, steeped coffee, and loose-leaf teas.

Shop at MATTER

Shop at MATTER is a revolutionary bookshop, retail store, and design consultancy. The shop sells resistance-focused books and products, including design tools, educational materials, and best-selling books. It also sells fine art, stationery, home goods, and art supplies.

Each book and product is carefully curated to represent forward movement. Shop at MATTER also hosts voting initiatives, a Black astronaut research project, and ongoing book clubs.

Good Vibes

Founded by Ymani Efunyale, Good Vibes was created to help connect people to the planet. The plant-based multipurpose cleaner does not harm pets or humans and reduces in-home chemical use.

Good Vibes can be used on granite and marble countertops, on carpets when steam cleaned, and as a laundry detergent. We all need to clean, so check out Good Vibes for a natural and safe cleaning option.

Partake

Founder and CEO Denise Woodard created Partake in 2016. Woodard’s inspiration for Partake came when her daughter was diagnosed with multiple food allergies. Partake offers allergy-friendly, vegan foods without gluten, GMOs, or the top nine allergens.

To help food-insecure families find safe food options, Woodard partners with organizations that provide access to food, education, and advocacy. Woodard’s passion for Black and female entrepreneurship led her to create Black Futures in Food & Beverage, a fellowship program for HBCU students.

Jungalow

Justina Blakeney created the lifestyle powerhouse brand Jungalow. The business sells home decor like pillows, bedding, plants and plant holders, and art prints. Jungalow features a rotating collection of colorful and vibrant products designed in Los Angeles, California.

Blakeney works with international artists to curate products that highlight various creative designs and prints. Jungalow products add pops of color and pattern to your living spaces.

Blakeney is also the designer behind Opalhouse, which can be found in Target stores nationwide.