For decades, many Black entrepreneurs have revolutionized diverse industries and also invented various things to make lives easier.
Black business owners have historically faced restrictions due to laws, and difficulties obtaining loans, among others. These challenges eventually lead to the collapse of many black-owned businesses or discourage others from venturing into entrepreneurship.
As a result, it is necessary, and a worthy investment, to assist Black business owners to motivate them, support their efforts, strengthen the Black business community, and encourage the growth of more Black businesses.
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In recognition of the hard work of Black entrepreneurs, here are five black-owned businesses to support this summer.
Be Rooted: Guard Your Spirit Journal – Jasmine Foster
Be Rooted was established “to create a safe space for women of color to feel seen and heard in their everyday life,” according to CEO and founder, Jasmin Foster.
It was the first Black-owned stationery brand to appear on Target store shelves in 2021, and was listed among Time’s 100 Most Influential Companies of 2022.
This spiral-bound journal has 240 ruled 5.5 x 8.5-inch pages, and the cover bears the injunction “guard your spirit.”
Me + The Bees: Prickly Pear Lemonade – Mikaila Ulmer
In her younger years, Me & The Bees founder and CEO, Mikaila Ulmer, was terrified of bees. However, she decided to help bees after learning how crucial they are to our ecosystem, thanks to her parents’ encouragement to do some research.
Ulmer was inspired to open a lemonade stand selling honey-sweetened flaxseed lemonade at that time because she had also received her Great Granny Helen’s 1940s flaxseed lemonade recipe. She hopes to be an inspiration to other young entrepreneurs.
Her modest lemonade stand has since developed into a full-fledged company. Today, major retailers like Target, Publix, H-E-B, and Whole Foods Market, carry Me & The Bees lemonade. The traditional lemonade flavor, made with the renowned honey and flaxseed recipe, is a popular favorite.
Neyber – Marti Ijaha
Neyber is a program co-founded by CEO, Martin Ijaha, that aims to foster financial wellness at work. Users are able to gain access to low-cost loans and investment opportunities, as well as financial education.
Homebody – Rebecca Grammer- Ybarra
Following a car accident, founder, Rebecca Grammer-Ybarra, suffered a concussion and injuries to her collarbone, shoulder, and spine. However, she was determined to let her body heal itself naturally.
After much trial and error, she later found the secret ingredient for her condition, a bath soak containing a combination of CBD, botanicals, and adaptogens, along with colors derived from naturally occurring minerals (i.e., color therapy).
Today, Homebody offers a wide range of plant-based wellness bath rituals to help with stress, mood, pain, sleep, and general well-being.
Baby Donna – Dalaise Hickey
Dalaise Hickey, the creator of BabyDonna, resorted to making her own sunscreen for melanated infants after having trouble finding the right sunscreen for her children due to their dark skin.
The mother of two created a mineral sunscreen stick for Black and Brown infants, toddlers, and kids that is sheer and reef-safe.
The Sunscreen application offers 80 minutes of water resistance and UV defense.
