Supporting Black-owned Businesses

Today, in the United States, there are approximately 2.6 million Black-owned businesses—a number has risen by more than 30 percent in the past decade.

Individuals, corporations, foundations and major nonprofits can invest in these companies by doing business with them.

Here are a few examples of Black-owned businesses:

Consider also supporting nonprofits that champion the rights of Black Americans and seek to create opportunities for them, including:

For more information about black businesses, visit the website of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, at https://www.nationalbcc.org/.

Looking for other ways to support Black-owned businesses? Consider using one of the websites/apps below to find Black-owned businesses:

Facebook

Facebook is making it possible for people to identify their page as a Black or minority-owned business, so anyone who wants to support them can do so easily. The best way to find Black-owned businesses is in the Businesses Nearby tool, where you can browse offerings and click through to message them directly. 

Nile

Nile is a one-stop shop for Black brands. To use it, type in what you want to buy online, and Nile will show you somebody Black who makes it. 

Black Nation

The first Black-owned social directory, Black Nation is like an all-new Instagram for people in the Black community. Now, all Businesses can create giveaways and use the app’s social component to connect with customers, friends, or family. Users, brands, public figures, influencers, and more can connect easily using this app.

Download Black Nation on iOS

Download Black Nation on Google Play

Shop Black Owned

Shop Black Owned is a newly launched open-source tool created with the goal of providing wider visibility to Black-owned businesses in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Boston, Charlotte, Seattle and San Francisco, and connecting consumer buying power to positive economic and social change. Right now, the tool features over 1,000 Black-owned businesses and will be launching in other cities soon.

The Black Owned Directory

The Black Owned Directory is a new website that is itself Black owned and was created for people of all races to come together and support Black-owned businesses nationwide. The platform allows users to discover Black-owned businesses nearby, as well as shop online for goods and services. Shoppers can type in keywords and scroll through Black-owned business listing results that pop up. Each business profile shares details about the business, its website link, photos, videos, social media pages, contact information, hours of operation and more. The directory’s Google Maps integration also allows users to easily locate businesses in their city, within a radius of the user’s choice.

Chez Nous Guide

Launched in June 2020, Chez Nous Guide is a volunteer-run inclusive and intersectional home for businesses, artists, and organizations that are owned and operated by historically marginalized people. The guide’s mission is amplifying POC, women and LGBTQIA+ voices and bolstering their projects. On Chez Nous Guide’s website, you’ll find city guides, as well as listings in the following categories: eat, drink, community, health + safety, music & culture, shop, travel, services, events and jobs.

eatOkra

eatOkra is a Black-owned restaurant directory that features over 2,500 Black-owned restaurants across the country. With eatOkra, you can search by cuisine and location. Once you’ve identified a restaurant, you can select delivery or navigate. Select delivery and the app will show you which services provide delivery through that restaurant. Select navigate, and you’ll be shown directions through your preferred navigation app or ride-share service. 

Download eatOkra on iOS

Download eatOkra on Google Play

WeBuyBlack

WeBuyBlack is the largest online marketplace for Black-owned businesses. To use WeBuyBlack, find items you need from Black sellers, search the product in the “What do you need to find” window at the top of the site’s homepage. You can also browse items in categories such as books, clothing & accessories, jewelry, children & toys, art & collectibles, health & beauty, home & living, games and holidays.

Official Black Wall Street

With over 5,000 Black-owned businesses in 10 different countries currently listed, Official Black Wall Street is one of the largest Black-owned business discovery apps. Black business owners can create a listing for their business through the app, and consumers can find Black-owned businesses of all kinds in their area, as well as access reviews, directions, photos, offers, and more. The app also allows users to receive alerts when they are near a Black-owned business so they can pop in and check it out.

Download Official Black Wall Street on iOS

Download Official Black Wall Street on Google Play

Black-Owned Brooklyn

Black-Owned Brooklyn is a digital publication that features a “curated guide to Black Brooklyn’s people, places, and products.” On Black-Owned Brooklyn, you can read write-ups of Black-owned businesses in Brooklyn in the food and drink, home and design, style and beauty, and health and wellness spaces, as well as history and culture pieces. The website also has a frequently updated map showing the businesses it features.

WhereU Came From

Launched in 2016 by business psychologist and tech executive Dr. Dionne Mahaffey as a subsidiary of her company, The CPAI Group, Inc., WhereU Came From publishes crowd-sourced listings and referrals about Black-owned businesses. The app and website both have a business search functionality, which offers a real-time leaderboard of Black-owned businesses across categories, ranked by peer-to-peer referral counts.

Download WhereU Came From on iOS

I Am Black Business

I Am Black Business is a company whose main purpose is to “empower and uplift the Black businesses that already exist.” The website and app act as directories of Black-owned businesses in your area. You can discover new spots to support as well as search for specific services.

Download I Am Black Business on iOS

Download I Am Black Business on Google Play

Support Black Owned

Founded in 2012, Support Black Owned is a dedicated search-engine for Black-owned businesses. You can use the SBO app or website to find a business through the state search, category search, global search or site search options. In addition to helping consumers support Black-owned businesses, SBO provides a communication link between customers and owners to improve experiences and products.

Download Support Black Owned on iOS

Got Soul?

GotSoul? is a restaurant guide and food experiences app that features over 4,300 African-inspired restaurants and dining experiences. Find Cajun food, Creole food, Nigerian food, Gullah food, Jamaican food, Afro-Brazilian food and more near you. In addition to being a guide, Got Soul? also offers time-based discounts every day.

Download Got Soul? on iOs

Download Got Soul? on Google Play

Business Partnership

The TD Jakes Foundation connects global businesses with the talent and resources to succeed in a highly competitive environment. From executive summits to podcasts and masterclasses, the T.D. Jakes Foundation can create custom programs to fit the needs and priorities of each partner company.

Take Action

There are many ways to get involved. We welcome donations, volunteers and corporate partnerships. If you’re a company that would like to partner with us, please reach out to learn how we can work together!