As August nears its end, celebrators are closing out National Black Business Month. Created by John William Templeton, the month emphasizes showing support to Black businesses across the U.S.
In honor of its 20th anniversary, here are five more Black-owned businesses to celebrate this month and the next.
- Topicals: Created in 2020, Topicals is a cosmetic skincare company created by CEO and former co-founder of SheaGIRL, Olamide Olowe. The brand helps customers with the treatment of acne, discoloration, and ingrown hairs, and it also works to create an inclusive environment that erases the stigma surrounding skin conditions. Products include Faded Brightening Cleansing Bars, Faded Serum for dark spots and discoloration and their High Roller Ingrown Tonic, created with alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids.
- We Dream in Colour: Owned and founded by Jade Gedeon with support from her sister Mika, We Dream in Colour is a Black-owned, independent jewelry business. Created with a focus on sustainability, the line is notable for its use of both bold colors and prints. Made from an all-women team, over 700 different jewelry styles composed of repurposed materials and other earth-friendly jewelry-making methods are available. Pieces offered included the sterling-silver-based Grand Sirena Earrings, the brass-constructed Gold Feather Cuff, and the natural verdigris-featuring Jasmine Headpiece.
- Loyalty Bookstores: Located in Petworth, D.C. and Silver Spring, MD and founded by Oliver Depp, this Black and Asian queer-owned bookstore centers Black, PoC and Queer voices with a mission to diversify the literary world. The bookstore advocates for a communal setting by supporting the shop with a group of local vendors and other community partners in the area that support their mission. Loyalty Bookstores offers a variety of titles ranging from classics like James Baldwin’s “The Fire Next Time” to modern-day hits like Percival Everett’s “James.” The store also offers bundles and the Loyalty Leap of Faith Subscription Box, a box that gives users recommendations written by BIPOC, Queer, Disabled and other writers from marginalized groups.
- Cup of Té: Created by disability rights activist and former gymnast Taylor Lindsay-Noel, this brand is dedicated to enriching the lives of customers through exclusive teas made from organic materials. Packed with antioxidants, teas are authentically sourced and include Peach Please Organic White Tea, Pumpkin Spiced Latte Mix and Ruby Rooibos tea. Cup of Té also offers customers access to infuser bottles, cast iron teapot sets and matcha whisk bundles.
- Twelve AM Co: Twelve AM Co. is a shoe brand company that was founded by entrepreneur Areial Lomack in 2015. As the business continues to grow, Twelve AM is known for offering customers aesthetically pleasing shoes at affordable prices. Tuned in and intent on forming a communal feeling amongst shoppers, the company also made a name for itself by offering inclusive shoes. Products include the Cozy Up Slippers, the Harper Boots and the Jewel Fluffs Reloaded slippers.
