Today marks the first day of Black History Month. There are plenty of ways to celebrate Black History Month. A few ideas include learning about Black history, supporting organizations that directly impact the Black community (like Color of Change and the Loveland Therapy Fund), reading books by Black authors and visiting museums that highlight and center Black history and culture. Another way to honor Black History Month is by supporting Black-owned businesses, and today we wanted to share some of our favorites (including several local to Vermont), as well as resources to support Black-owned businesses near you.
If you have any Black-owned businesses you’d love to share please add them in the comments for all to see. We’ll have some more ways to honor and celebrate Black History Month on the blog including Anti-Racism Teaching Resources coming soon.
Black-Owned Businesses to Support
Vermont Based Black-Owned Businesses
JAG Productions
At JAG they pride themselves in creating excellent work, engaging and shifting the community and involving exceptional, diverse actors in the Upper Valley. Their mission is to produce classic and contemporary African-American theatre that provides an outlet to tell the important stories that so desperately need to be told.
Global Village Foods
Global Village Foods is a small family business that believes in cooking with clean ingredients, creating bold African flavor and giving back to their local and global community. GVF creates ‘ready to eat’ frozen meals that are as equally healthy, delicious and flavorful as they are convenient. They are also food allergy friendly! So check out their website for products sold locally and upcoming online ordering options.
All Heart Inspirations
Founder and storyteller, Ferene Paris Meyer, provides a space for people to connect and share their stories in meaningful ways. All Heart Inspirations provides workshops, community engagements, culinary food, and more to inspire love, gratitude and affirmations from the heart.
Jamaican Jewelz
Jamaican Jewelz is a food truck and catering business “keeping it spicy in southern Vermont”. Looking to spice up your meal plan for the week? Mama Jewelz is also providing winter meal delivery to homes through April.
Black-Owned Brands
briogeo
You probably recognize Briogeo because it’s one of my (Jess’s) favorite haircare brands, especially the charcoal exfoliating shampoo and avocado superfood mask. We also interviewed the founder Nancy here.
DEHIYA BEAUTY
A plant-based, vegan, organic skincare line. One of their best-sellers, The Glow, is made with ethically sourced argan oil. Jess loves The Dreamer lip and cheek tint and the White Jade Gua Sha.
talula skincare
Hands down the best body butter and amazing for dry, sensitive and/or eczema prone skin. The owner Alexis is also wonderful. Definitely a personal favorite of mine (Jess).
clare paint
No secret that Clare paint is very popular in Jess’s house with many of the walls covered in Timeless and Beigeing. Check out our interview with the founder Nicole here.
adwoa beauty
A Black woman-owned clean beauty brand, it’s made for curly hair but also works on my straight, fine hair (and safe for color-treated). I particularly love the blue tansy mask.
A global marketplace for Black-owned businesses.
Directories and Search Engines for Black-Owned Businesses
The following search engine link provide super easy to navigate ways to find black owned businesses near you.
Support Black Owned
A nationwide directory of Black-owned businesses.
Black Business Green Book
An online Black-owned business directory.
Shop Black Owned
An open source tool to help you find Black-owned businesses in cities across the US.
Eat Okra
A great resource for finding Black-owned restaurants!
Chez Nous Guide
A global guide to inclusive and socially conscious brands.
Black Owned Brooklyn
Discover Black-owned businesses in Brooklyn.
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