Shopping has certainly changed during the coronavirus pandemic. With stores around the world temporarily closing due to lockdowns, many consumers are turning to online shopping, especially from small businesses who may need an extra boost due to the current state of the economy. So if you have money to spare right now, why not support a Black-owned, sustainable small business next time you shop online?
The internet is filled with numerous small businesses run by awesome Black entrepreneurs, many of whom offer sustainably-made goods you can order online. Read on for 10 Black-owned, sustainable small businesses that have something for everyone, from jewelry to shoes to skincare to cookies to jam.
Fashion
Enbois Originals founder Maxim Thuriere started his fashion company from his dorm room when he was a college junior — and today, the small business continues to grow. Enbois sells sustainably-crafted, non-toxic accessories and jewelry, including wooden bracelets, watches, necklaces and iPhone cases, as well as backpacks and T-shirts. For each item sold, Enbois plants a tree to support reforestation efforts in Haiti and across the Caribbean.
Thando’s makes foldable ballet flats inspired by the founders’ love of Africa. The patterns are designed by African artists, and made with fabric purchased directly from Nigerian women in the fabric trade. The company is currently in the process of moving to Ethiopia, something the cofounders Taffi and J.G. Ayodele have dreamed about doing for years. That means Thando’s is currently on a production hiatus — but the brand’s shoes are available for preorder.
Bôhten makes prescription glasses in Africa, using discarded materials and reclaimed wood that are sustainably sourced across the continent. Nana Boateng Osei founded Bôhten to “combine a love of nature, style and Africa,” and the company’s gorgeous and unique eyewear got a boost in a 2014 episode of Dragon’s Den (the Canadian version of Shark Tank). Read more…
