10 Black & Female Owned Brands To Support

In the US, black women are paid 62 cents for every dollar earned by a white man. To put this into context, non-black women earn 82 cents to the dollar. While 82 cents still isn’t great, there’s clearly work to do to raise black women.

Here at RoHo, we’re on a mission for equity. Our women artisans across Kenya are paid living wages, produce high-quality products, are skilled and trained, and financially and educationally empowered through the strength of their local communities.

Supporting black lives has always been imperative, but now more than ever. The Black Lives Matter Movement isn’t a trend or cultural phenomenon. It is the result of years of inequity, injustice, and violence in this country. And we’re here to support the movement by leveraging our voice for good. We want to encourage you all to support black-owned businesses.

By shopping at black-owned businesses, we can support and show solidarity in this moment, and onward. It’s highlighting businesses that are too often ignored or don’t receive the attention they deserve.

In the US alone, there is an estimated 2.5 million black-owned businesses you can support right now. Here is a list of some of our favorite, women-owned companies:

 

RoHo - Pura Luna Women's Apothecary Logo

Pura Luna Women’s Apothecary

Santa Barbara, CA

@puralunaapothecary

Pura Luna’s Apothecary was created for women to support their mind, body, and spirit. Married owners, Ashe and Christin, founded Pura Luna in 2017 and since, have created a space for women to explore alternative healing methods, learn together, and grow. They specialize in organic medicinal herbs, extracts and tonics, vaginal steaming, and host in-person workshops, classes, and ceremonies. 

 

RoHo - The Lit. Bar Logo

The Lit. Bar

The Bronx, NY

@thelitbar

Noëlle Santos is an African American and Puerto Rican woman, activist, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of The Lit. Bar, the only independent bookstore in the Bronx. By recognizing the ways her local community was underserved, Noëlle created a sustainable, accessible bookshop that reflects and serves the unique needs of the neighborhood.  

 

RoHo - The Beauty Bakerie Makeup Logo

Beauty Bakerie

San Diego, CA

@beautybakeriemakeup

Cashmere Nicole founded Beauty Bakerie, a non-toxic, cruelty-free, vegan makeup brand that specializes in lipsticks in 2011. The founder, a single mother and breast cancer survivor, is rare in the entrepreneurial world, raising $10 million dollars from investors (!!!) and has been featured on Beyoncé’s website. 

 

RoHo - Briogeo Logo

Briogeo

New York City, NY

@briogeo

In 2014, Nancy Twine launched a natural haircare company, Briogeo, that caters products to customers based on their hair texture, from curly, wavy, coily, thin, and everything in between. Today, you can find her products sold online and in Sephora shelves around the world. 

 

 

RoHo - McBride Sisters Collection Logo

McBride Sisters Collection

Oakland, CA

@mcbridesisters

Half-sisters Robin McBride and Andréa McBride-John grew up halfway around the world from each other without knowing the other existed. Six years after they met, the sisters launched the McBride Wine Company. In 2019, the business placed in the top 3% of the nation’s wineries. Nearly all of their staff are women and half are people of color. 

 

 

RoHo - UNWRP Logo

UNWRP

New York City, NY

@unwrp

Ashley Fouyolle’s business, UNWRP, sells sustainable gift-wrapping paper, greeting cards, and home décor in bold, unique designs created by a diverse collective of artists. 

RoHo - Adjourn Teahouse Logo

Adjourn Teahouse

Washington, D.C.

@adjournteahouse

Adjourn Teahouse is an artisanal loose-leaf tea company that offers beautiful, quality, hand blended teas that are sustainably sourced from around the world. LaTonia Cokely has been an entrepreneur since she was in high school and a drinker and maker of tea. Adjourn was recently featured in Essence magazine as an Editor’s Pick in the Jan/Feb 2020 Issue.

 

RoHo - Forty Acres Fresh Market Logo

Forty Acres Fresh Market

Chicago, IL

@fortyacresfreshmarket

Forty Acres is a startup grocer specializing in high quality produce at an affordable cost. Liz Abunaw founded Forty Acres in response to the lack of fresh food in Chicago’s West Side neighborhood. They currently operate as a mobile grocery store and host pop-up markets in underserved communities. 

 

RoHo - Love Notes Fragrances Logo

Love Notes Fragrances

New York City, NY

@lovenotesllc

Nya Kam’s company, Love Notes Fragrances, specializes in hand-poured scented soy candles made with sustainable, ethical ingredients. The quality in their custom, home-made products are made for customers who care about their health and the environment. 

RoHo - The Honey Pot Logo

The Honey Pot

Atlanta, GA

@thehoneypotco

Powered by herbs, made by women, 100% natural. Beatrice Dixon is the founder of the plant-based, natural feminine care company called The Honey Pot. Made without artificial fragrances or synthetics, The Honey Pot’s products are clinically-tested and gynecologist approved and also biodegradable and cruelty-free.

 

 

 

For more resources and to find black-owned businesses in your community, check out these websites:

Forbes - 75 Black Owned Businesses to Support

Official Black Wall Street - Directory

Support Black Owned

 Marie Claire's 100 Black Owned Businesses to Support List

Refinery 29 - Find & Support Black Owned Businesses with These Apps