How to Find and Support Local Black-Owned Businesses
Maintaining a black business can be difficult if you don’t know where to look. Fortunately, several apps have decided to fix this, making it easier to find both the common and unique items you want – all provided by Black business owners.
Official Black Wall Street
The official Black Wall Street app pays tribute to the all-black community in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which was burned down in 1920 by white supremacists. The app continues to inherit black commerce by cataloging black businesses from across the country, using location technology to locate businesses close to you.
We buy black
We Buy Black refers to itself as the “Black Amazon”, providing consumers with everyday goods – from laundry detergent and toothpaste to books and shoes – made by Black companies. A simple site layout and clear categories make shopping so easy that you wonder if you really need Amazon at all.
Chez nous
While other apps feature companies in the United States, Chez nous offers a selection of a global list of BIPOC, women, and LGBTQ-owned businesses. The app is updated with new announcements every week from consumers and other business owners. The site is beautiful, with vibrant images, and proudly showcases its vision of inclusiveness in entrepreneurial success. You can search for categories such as music and culture, “endorsed by allies,” health and wellness, and even job opportunities — and if you feel like browsing through them, their referral section is a useful tool.
Originally published in 2017 and updated on Feb 4, 2021 with new guidance.