Black-led and Owned Businesses We Should Know About

We’ve celebrated some of the most amazing women-led businesses, as well as showcasing some of the greatest companies that are being responsible for the environment.

Now it’s time to look at what we consider true artists who’ve created some of the most innovative and exciting products available in America today. As Black-owned and Black-led businesses have been gaining popularity in the last few years, we wanted to show off some of our favorites out there.

From sipping on delicious wine, to fragrancing our homes, these businesses prove the potential in the black community. As there are now 125,000 Black-led businesses so our article contains just a few of the thousands of black entrepreneurs and artists who deserve our support so we can see a truly united America.

Frères Branchiaux

Back in 2017, three brothers from Maryland decided to create their own candle range. At the time, they may not have envisioned the pace at which the company would grow into a multi-million, award-winning company. In their wildest dreams, they may have never envisioned the impact it would have on disadvantaged folk across the country.

The brothers started making their now-famous soy and coconut wax candles in their own home but once word spread of their scented sensations they soon began creating a whole range of fabulously fragrant delights. Frères Branchiaux’s range now has everything you need to have your home smelling as sweet as can be. From hand sanitizer to cherry blossom room spray, and even a range of candles that pays tribute to some African American heroes in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) industries. This is a Black-owned business determined to make a difference. 10% of all profits also go to charities that help the homeless.

Supporting this Black-owned business doesn’t just reward you with a candle, or one of their aromatic lavender diffusers, but allows an eco-conscious business to help the less fortunate. What can be simpler than that?

The brothers started making their now-famous soy and coconut wax candles in their own home but once word spread of their scented sensations they soon began creating a whole range of fabulously fragrant delights. Frères Branchiaux’s range now has everything you need to have your home smelling as sweet as can be. From hand sanitizer to cherry blossom room spray, and even a range of candles that pays tribute to some African American heroes in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) industries. This is a Black-owned business determined to make a difference. 10% of all profits also go to charities that help the homeless.

Supporting this Black-owned business doesn’t just reward you with a candle, or one of their aromatic lavender diffusers, but allows an eco-conscious business to help the less fortunate. What can be simpler than that?

Blk & Bold

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Sometimes a company never goes out of its way to help give back. Others do so, but grudgingly when public pressure rises (and profit margins are threatened). There are then a handful of great businesses whose reason for operating is to help the less fortunate and as a way to serve their communities. The latter is true for Blk & Bold.

The two founders, Pernell and Rod decided that sourcing and roasting the finest blends of coffees and teas from around the world wasn’t quite enough. They decided to help those less fortunate by giving work opportunities to give everyone the chance to succeed in their disadvantaged communities.

Like with Freres Branchiaux, a percentage of Blk & Bold’s profits also goes towards helping ease the homeless crisis. In just three years this Black-owned business when from humble beginnings to partnering with the NBA! We recommend watching this great video as the founders talk about their founding to becoming  “the only nationally distributed, black-owned coffee brand” having the opportunity to work with the NBA.

Golde

Going from being created with a single product in 2017, Golde has gone on to become one of the leading providers in superfoods. They went from just selling the original turmeric latte blend, to a whole plethora of other foods and drinks designed to keep the body and mind as healthy and nourished as possible. Trinity Mouzon Wofford, co-founder and CEO of Golde proves just what a black woman is capable of.

The company has created some of the most unique concepts we’ve ever seen in the health food market. Take the ‘Shroom Shield’, for instance. It’ contains all the antioxidants and prebiotics but instead of having to pinch your nose to try and stomach it, you blend it with your favorite hot or cold drink to create a delicious health boost. Golde products can make awesome gifts, too. With the Superwhisk + Coconut Collagen Boost, you get the coconut power, plus the whisk to make lattes so creamy and frothy, you’ll forget just how nutritional they are!

Curls

For most generations of African-Americans, having a range of hair products suitable for their hairstyle simply didn’t exist. As the white-owned companies just catered for their white customers. We looked at early black pioneers such as Madam C.J. Walker, who helped create some of the earliest black hair products in our ___ article, but since then there was a scarcity of high-quality products for those who wanted to proudly flaunt their naturally curly hair.

Founder Mahisha Dellinger wanted to cater to this market but only by using natural and high-quality ingredients. Curls' line of products can now be found all over the country, including stores such as Walmart and Target. Despite this amazing success, the company continues to follow its pioneering ideology: it started as one of the first to carry certified organic ingredients and responsibly source from fair trade suppliers and it still leads the way in caring for black beauty as well as for those who help develop these products.

McBride Sisters

It’s crucial to have black-led businesses of every size in America. From small stores catering for the local community to topping Forbes and revolutionizing whole industries. One of those at the top of the game is McBride Sisters who last year “sold nearly 100,000 cases, putting it in the top 3% of the nation’s wineries.” When sampling their wines, it’s not difficult to understand how they came to be so popular. Californian grapes have never tasted so fruity and fragrant!

Despite their success, McBride Sisters haven’t forgotten the discrimination and obstacles they’ve had to overcome to be in the position that they’re now in. Their employees are 90% women and more than half are people of color. They also have a range of ‘Black Girl Magic’ wines as a “personal ode to their culture and story, inspired by the magic and resilience of Black women.” We can certainly ‘cheers’ to that.

Fini Shoes

Fini is one of our favorite footwear brands out there. We’re not talking about black-owned footwear businesses, but period. They have their own creative style which separates them from the competition. Fini Shoes shows the innovation and creativity which pores through black businesses. The shoes allow the wearer to express their individuality as detachable pieces making sure every customer has the opportunity to create unique and always fresh sneakers.

We recommend visiting their store to find the best pair of shoes for you, but we can’t help but highlight their recent collaboration with Tiffany Nguyen, a visual artist who’s created some visually stunning pieces while focusing on “the complexities of womxn and issues of capitalism, body dysmorphia, and mental health.”

Founder Dami Adepoju, a Nigerian immigrant, has proven that the American dream can prosper as he continues to use his talents to create some of the most imaginative street styles out there.

Last Note

We hope that you enjoyed finding out more about a few of the flourishing Black-owned and led businesses in America today. No chapter of American history has been written without being stained by the oppression and subjugation of Black citizens. By continuing to support these businesses, we can write the next chapter of America with prouder ink as not only does our money go to these pioneering entrepreneurs, but supports the staff who are employed there and the community surrounding it.

If you’ve not finished shopping, can we suggest checking out other types of ethical businesses to support? We found some amazing businesses whose profits can help sustain our environment. We also know of some women-led organizations with some of the best products we’ve seen.

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