Voting with your pocketbook is one of the best ways to effect change in a capitalist society.
The U.S. is home to roughly 2.5 million Black-owned businesses, according to the Census Bureau. Although the vast majority are sole proprietorships or small-scale affairs, an increasing number have regional reach and national ambitions. Below, we resurface 10 Black entrepreneurs who have recently been featured in Forbes and provide a directory of an additional 90 Black-owned businesses to support. It is by no means an exhaustive list: We aren’t including numerous high-profile celebrity entrepreneurs like Oprah Winfrey or Rihanna or the many successful black business owners who sell services to other corporations, like World Wide Technology’s David Steward.
These entrepreneurs and owners sell cosmetics, clothing, books, cars and financial products that you can buy. Fewer offer healthcare or consumer tech products, in part, because they lack access to venture funding. If you are interested in learning more about other Black-owned businesses, there are a number of apps and directories online, including The Buy From A Black Woman Directory, The Black-Owned Market, Etsy’s Black Owned Shops, Black Enterprise’s Top 100 list, Bank Black and Bon Appetit’s list of Black-owned restaurants.
We originally included 75 businesses on this list. We added an additional 25 for Blackout Day on July 7, 2020.
Here are 10 black-owned businesses we’ve highlighted in print and online.
Founded by Maitland in 1995, the $9 billion investment firm is an expert in defensive investment strategies involving convertible bonds, designed to protect against downside while capturing most of the stock market’s gains. The firm’s $500 million publicly-traded closed-end fund, Advent Convertible & Income (Ticker: AVK), is the easiest for public investors to access with no investment minimums, but it carries the most risk due to a leveraged structure. Principally owned by Maitland, whose surgeon father once operated on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 55% of Advent’s staff are women and minorities. (For more, see our Forbes magazine feature.)
One of the top-performing investment firms in the world, Brown Capital’s flagship Small Company Fund has generated an average annual return of 12%-plus since 1992, about double the Russell 2000 Growth Index. While that fund is closed to investors, Brown Capital has successfully expanded into international small-cap stocks and mid-cap stocks, which are funds anyone can buy. A former T. Rowe Price portfolio manager, founder Eddie Brown started the business in 1983. Now fully-owned by employees, 70% of the fast-growing firm’s workforce are minorities. (For more, see our Forbes magazine feature.)
A single mother and breast cancer survivor, Cashmere Nicole founded Beauty Bakerie in 2011 as a new lipstick brand that was vegan, non-toxic and cruelty-free. Beyonce featured the nascent brand on her website, and Nicole (she goes by Cashmere Nicole for business) began marketing her long-lasting lipsticks on Instagram, where it now has 1.2 million followers. Today, Beauty Bakerie has raised $10 million from such investors as Unilever’s venture arm, New Voices Fund and top black execs like Kenneth Chenault (former CEO of AmEx), making Nicole the rare black woman to raise that level of venture funding. “America is at an interesting inflection point,” Nicole says. “Now is a time for everyone to create change and a lasting legacy.” (For more, see our online story.)
Three years into a stint on the commodities desk at Goldman Sachs, Twine’s mother died in a car accident. The tragedy pushed her to reconsider her career path. Inspired by her mother, a chemist who had developed a natural face cream, and her grandmother, who taught her how to make products with natural ingredients, she spent weekends and nights researching the beauty industry. In 2014, she launched natural haircare brand, Briogeo, that targets customers by hair texture (wavy, coily, dry, thin), rather than ethnicity; it was profitable from the start and revenues grew quickly to $10 million by the end of 2018. It launched internationally in 2018, and is now sold on Sephora shelves around the world as well as through online U.K. retailer CultBeauty. She sold a minority stake in the company to Drunk Elephant investor VMG last year for an undisclosed sum. (For more, see our Forbes magazine story.)
After putting herself through college at California State University Sacramento, Dellinger got an internship, and eventually a job, at Intel. While at the tech giant, she spent nights and weekends on her idea for a natural hair care line. She launched Curls in 2002, bootstrapping the business. Her big break: landing a partnership with Target. Today roughly 80% of the company’s revenue comes from selling many of her 150 products in stores such as Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond and CVS; the rest comes from online sales. She’s written a book about her journey “from the projects to the penthouse” and had her own TV show on Oprah’s OWN Network—Mind Your Business with Mahisha—helping other women-led businesses reach the million-dollar mark. (For more, see our online story.)
Forbes Under 30 social entrepreneurs, Nigerian-born entrepreneur Wemimo and his business partner Goel co-founded Esusu in 2019. The mobile platform helps individuals mostly from marginalized communities save money, access capital and build credit. Renters typically don’t get credit for making their monthly payments on time; Esusu’s platform has helped change that. It partnered with Equifax in January to use its rent-reporting platform to power credit scores for renters. In May, Esusu launched a fund that provides rental assistance for those most affected by Covid-19. It's since raised nearly $200,000 for the fund. With more than 200,000 users to date, the startup expects revenue to reach $1.2 million this year. (For more, see our online story.)
Founded in 2013 by Imira, 39, Mayvenn is a venture-backed digital salon where customers buy human hair extensions and wigs and book appointments with stylists. Mayvenn employs 63 people (81% of whom are people of color) and it directs business to 3,000 black stylists across the country. Since salons have been forced to shut down during the pandemic, Imira has raised $1.3 million in relief cash that he’s giving to his network of stylists. (For more, see our Forbes magazine story.)
For nearly half their lives, Robin McBride and Andréa McBride-John didn’t know the other existed. The half sisters, who were coincidentally raised in wine regions, in California and New Zealand respectively, met for the first time in 1999. Six years later, they launched their wine business. Last year, McBride Sisters Collection sold nearly 100,000 cases, putting it in the top 3% of the nation’s wineries. Today, 90% of their staff are women and more than half are people of color. Up next: canned spritzers, slated for this summer. (For more, see our online story.)
Back in 2007, Dr. Gentles, who had worked at Texas Children’s Hospital, teamed up with Bryant, a friend from church who had worked as a consultant on technology implementation and training, to start an urgent-care center just for kids. Today, NightLight Pediatric has eight pediatric urgent-care locations, with 130 employees (80% of whom are people of color) and revenue of $11 million last year. An alum of our 2017 Small Giants list, the company remains entirely owned by its three founders. (For more, see our online interview with Bryant.)
Konte founded Red Bay six years ago, and expanded it to include five Bay Area cafes and robust corporate sales. Since March, the pandemic has taken a toll. Though Red Bay’s coffee roastery is running, its cafes had to shut down and it lost lucrative contracts to supply the offices of Facebook, Twitter and Airbnb. Fortunately, its wholesale and retail businesses spiked between March and May. Awareness that Red Bay is a black-owned business tripled online sales in the first three days of June, says Konte, 53. “People want to support us in these times,” he says. A visual artist and former activist who organized protests in San Francisco following the 1991 beating of Rodney King, he says he’s inspired by the Gandhi quote, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Pre-pandemic, he had 60 employees, all of whom were of color, including 25 people who were formerly incarcerated or who grew up in foster care. His headcount has shrunk by half. “We had to make some painful and drastic cuts,” he says. (For more, see our online story.)
See below for 90 more black-owned businesses grouped by categories like finance and haircare.
AJ Crimson Beauty
Founder: AJ Crimson
Headquarters: Los Angeles
Description: makeup for all ethnicities, shades
Website: ajcrimson.com
Instagram: @ajcrimson
Black Girl Sunscreen
Founder: Shontay Lundy
Headquarters: Los Angeles
Description: sunscreen products
Website: blackgirlsunscreen.com
Instagram: @blackgirlsunscreen
Danessa Myricks Beauty
Founder: Danessa Myricks
Headquarters: New York City
Description: cosmetics brand
Website: danessamyricksbeauty.com
Instagram: @danessa_myricks
Foot Nanny
Founder: Gloria L. Williams
Headquarters: Los Angeles
Description: aromatherapy foot products
Website: footnanny.com
Instagram: @footnanny
Golde
Founders: Trinity Mouzon Wofford, Issey Kobori
Headquarters: New York City
Description: smoothie boosters and face masks made with superfoods
Website: golde.co
Instagram: @golde
Juvia’s Place
Founder: Chichi Eburu
Headquarters: Jersey City, New Jersey
Description: makeup inspired by Africa
Website: Juvia’s Place
Instagram: @juviasplace
KNC Beauty
Founder: Kristen Noel Crawley
Headquarters: Los Angeles
Description: natural, collagen-infused face masks
Website: kncbeauty.com
Instagram: @kncbeauty
The Lip Bar
Founder: Melissa Butler
Headquarters: Detroit
Description: custom, vegan lipsticks
Website: thelipbar.com
Instagram: @thelipbar
Mented Cosmetics
Founders: KJ Miller, Amanda Johnson
Headquarters: New York City
Description: cosmetics in inclusive shades
Website: mentedcosmetics.com
Instagram: @mentedcosmetics
Pat McGrath Labs
Founder: Pat McGrath
Headquarters: New York City
Website: www.patmcgrath.com
Description: cosmetics brand from influential makeup artist
Instagram: @patmcgrathreal
Uoma Beauty
Founder: Sharon Chuter
Headquarters: Los Angeles
Description: cosmetics in inclusive shades
Website: uomabeauty.com
Instagram: @uomabeautyon
Camille Rose
Founder: Janell Stephens
Headquarters: Macon, Georgia
Description: handmade and all natural hair and skin products
Website: camillerose.com
Instagram: @camillerosenaturals
Curlbox
Founder: Myleik Teele
Headquarters: Atlanta
Description: monthly subscription box of curly hair products
Website: curlbox.com
Instagram: @curlbox
CurlMix
Founders: Kimberly and Timothy Lewis
Headquarters: Chicago
Description: organic haircare products for curly hair
Website: curlmix.com
Instagram: @CurlMix
The Cut Buddy
Founder: Joshua Esnard
Headquarters: Pittsboro, North Carolina
Description: hair template for cutting
Website: thecutbuddy.com
Instagram: @thecutbuddy
Mielle Organics
Founder: Monique Rodriquez
Headquarters: Crown Point, Indiana
Description: organic haircare and skincare products
Website: mielleorganics.com
Instagram: @mielleorganics
Myavana
Founder: Candace Mitchell
Headquarters: Atlanta
Description: personalized hair products
Website: myavana.com
Instagram: @myavanahaircare
Melanin Haircare
Founder: Whitney and Taffeta White
Location: Boston
Description: natural hair products designed for black women
Website: melaninhaircare.com
Instagram: @melaninhaircare
Pattern Beauty
Founder: Tracee Ellis Ross
Headquarters: El Segundo, California
Website: patternbeauty.com
Description: hair products for five hair texture types between 3B (medium curly) and 4C (super kinky)
Instagram: @patternbeauty
Rucker Roots
Founders: Ellen and Ione Rucker
Headquarters: Waxhaw, North Carolina
Description: natural hair products designed for black women
Website: ruckerroots.com
Instagram: @ruckerroots
Aminah Abdul Jillil
Founder: Aminah Abdul Jillil
Headquarters: Las Vegas, Nevada
Description: luxury shoes and boots for women and kids
Website: aminahabduljillil.com
Instagram: @aminahjillil
BLK MKT Vintage
Founders: Kiyanna Stewart, Jannah Handy
Headquarters: New York City
Description: vintage collectibles celebrating black culture
Website: blkmktvintage.com
Instagram: @blkmktvintage
Bolé Road Textiles
Founder: Hana Getachew
Location: Kingston, New York
Description: textiles made by artisans in Ethiopia
Website: boleroadtextiles.com
Instagram: @boleroadtextiles
Brother Vellies
Founder: Aurora James
Headquarters: New York City
Description: handcrafted shoes and accessories from African artisans
Website: brothervellies.com
Instagram: @brothervellies
Cherry Blossom Intimates
Founder: Jasmine Jones
Headquarters: Glenarden, Maryland
Description: bras for women who have had mastectomies
Website: cherryblossomintimates.com
Instagram: @cherryblossomintimates
Cushnie
Founders: Carly Cushnie, Michelle Ochs
Headquarters: New York City
Description: women’s ready-to-wear and accessories
Website: cushnie.com
Instagram: @cushnie
Diop
Founder: Mapate Diop
Headquarters: Detroit
Description: streetwear made of West African fabrics
Website: weardiop.com
Instagram: @weardiop
Fini Shoes
Founder: Dami Adepoju
Headquarters: New York City
Description: men’s and women’s footwear
Website: fini.shoes
Instagram: @finishoes
The Folklore
Founder: Amira Rasool
Headquarters: New York City
Description: clothing, accessories and housewares from designers based in Africa and the African diaspora
Website: shopthefolklore.com
Instagram: @thefolklore
FUBU
Founder: Daymond John
Headquarters: New York City
Description: hip hop apparel
Website: fubu.com
Instagram: @fubu
Hanifa
Founder: Anifa Mvuemba
Headquarters: North Bethesda, Maryland
Description: women’s apparel
Website: hanifa.co
Instagram: @hanifaofficial
Hope For Flowers
Founder: Tracy Reese
Headquarters: New York City
Description: sustainable clothing for women
Website: hopeforflowers.com
Instagram: @hopeforflowersbytracyreese
Kahmune
Founder: Jamila Acheampong
Headquarters: Columbia, Maryland
Description: shoes sold in 10 inclusive shades of nude
Website: kahmune.com
Instagram: @kahmune
Mateo New York
Founder: Matthew Harris.
Headquarters: New York City
Description: fine jewelry with diamonds and gemstones
Website: mateonewyork.com
Instagram: @mateonewyork
Nude Barre
Founder: Erin Carpenter
Headquarters: New York City
Description: intimate apparel in 12 shades of nude
Website: nudebarre.com
Instagram: @nudebarre
Pyer Moss
Founder: Kerby Jean-Raymond
Headquarters: New York City
Description: fashion brand
Website: pyermoss.com
Instagram: @pyermoss
Soundoff
Founders: Drew Ferguson, Bret Grafton, Daryl Sneed
Headquarters: Chicago
Description: gender-neutral streetwear
Website: soundoffdesign.com
Instagram: @soundoffdesign
Telfar
Founder: Telfar Clemens
Headquarters: New York City
Description: unisex bags
Website: telfar.net
Instagram: @telfarglobal
The Sixes
Founder: Franci Girard
Headquarters: New York City
Description: fashion for tall women
Website: thesixes.com
Instagram: @thesixesnyc
Voluptuous Clothing
Founder: Angela Samuels
Headquarters: Toronto
Description: plus-sized women’s clothes
Website: voluptuousclothing.com
Instagram: @voluptuousinc
The Wrap Life
Founder: Nnenna Stella
Headquarters: Brooklyn, New York
Description: head wraps, headbands, turbans and bandanas
Website: thewrap.life
Instagram: @thewraplife
Unwrp
Founder: Ashley Fouyolle
Headquarters: New York City
Description: sustainable gift wrap, greeting cards and home décor in bold designs
Website: unwrp.com
Instagram: @unwrp
UjuuMedia
Founder: Kelechi Anyadiegwu
Headquarters: New York City
Description: marketplace for emerging brands from around the world
Website: ujuumedia.com
Instagram: @ujuumedia
Ariel Investments
Founder: John Rogers
Headquarters: Chicago
Description: mutual funds
Website: arielinvestments.com
Instagram: @arielinvestments
Awoye Capital
Founder: Jordan Awoye
Headquarters: Woodbury, New York
Description: investment advisor
Website: awoyecapital.com
Instagram: @awoyecapital
Fola Financial
Founder: Sheneya Wilson
Headquarters: Tuckahoe, New York
Description: tax, bookkeeping and financial services
Website: folafinancial.com
Instagram: @folafinancial
Industrial Bank
CEO: Doyle Mitchell Jr.
Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
Description: banking and financial services
Website: industrial-bank.com
Instagram: @bankindustrial
OneUnited Bank
Founder: Kevin Cohee
Headquarters: Boston
Description: country’s largest black-owned bank
Website: oneunited.com
Instagram: @oneunited
Adjourn Teahouse
Founder: LaTonia Cokely
Headquarters: Washington, D.C
Description: loose-leaf tea
Website: adjournteahouse.com
Instagram: @adjournteahouse
BLK + Bold
Founders: Rod Johnson, Pernell Cezar
Headquarters: Des Moines, Iowa
Description: fair-trade coffee and loose-leaf tea
Website: blkandbold.com
Instagram: @blkandbold
Brown Estate
Company: Brown Estate
Founder: Deneen, David and Coral Brown
Headquarters: St. Helena, California
Website: brownestate.com
Description: Napa Valley winery
Instagram: @brownestate
Chicago French Press
Founder: Kris Christian
Headquarters: Chicago
Description: organic, flavored roast coffee
Website: chicagofrenchpress.com
Instagram: @chicagofrenchpress
Crowns & Hops
Founders: Beny Ashburn, Teo Hunter
Headquarters: Inglewood, California
Description: craft beer and brewery
Website: crownsandhops.com
Instagram: @crownsandhops
Forty Acres Fresh Market
Founder: Liz Abunaw
Headquarters: Chicago
Description: grocery that operates pop-ups with fresh food in underserved neighborhoods
Website: fortyacresfreshmarket.com
Instagram: @fortyacresfreshmarket
The Furlough Cheesecake
Founders: Nikki Howard, Jaqi Wright
Headquarters: Oxon Hill, Maryland
Description: cheesecake maker
Website: thefurloughcheesecake.com
Instagram: @thefurloughcake
Golden Krust
Headquarters: New York City
Founders: Lowell Hawthorne (deceased) and family
Description: Caribbean restaurants franchise and seller of Jamaican patties
Website: goldenkrust.com
Instagram: @goldenkrust
International Smoke
Founders: Ayesha Curry, Michael Mina
Headquarters: San Francisco
Website: internationalsmoke.com
Description: global-inspired barbecue chain
Instagram: @internationalsmoke
Marcus Samuelsson Group
Founder: Marcus Samuelsson
Headquarters: New York City
Description: restaurant group from the acclaimed chef that includes Red Rooster Harlem
Website: marcussamuelssongroup.com
Instagram: @marcuscooks
Ocean’s 97
Founder: Jarvis Green
Headquarters: Baton Rouge
Description: shrimp pate and other shrimp products
Website: oceans97.com
Instagram: @oceans97
Partake Foods
Founder: Denise Woodard
Headquarters: Jersey City
Description: gluten-free, vegan and allergy-friendly cookies
Website: partakefoods.com
Instagram: @partakefoods
Pipcorn
Founders: Jennifer Martin, Jeff Martin, Teresa Tsou
Headquarters: New York City
Description: snacks made with heirloom corn
Website: pipsnacks.com
Instagram: @pipsnacks
Bauce Magazine
Founder: Liane Membis
Headquarters: New York City
Description: lifestyle magazine for self-made women
Website: baucemag.com
Instagram: @baucemag
Black Enterprise
CEO: Earl G. “Butch” Graves Jr.
Headquarters: New York City
Description: multimedia company focusing on black enterprise
Website: blackenterprise.com
Instagram: @blackenterprise
Blavity
Founder: Morgan DeBaun
Headquarters: San Francisco
Description: online media company for black millennials
Website: blavity.com
Instagram: @blavity
Essence
Founders: Edward Lewis, Clarence O. Smith, Jonathan Blount, Cecil Hollingsworth
Headquarters: Brooklyn, New York
Description: lifestyle magazine
Website: essence.com
Instagram: @essence
kweliTV
Founder: DeShuna Elisa Spencer
Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
Description: streaming service for movies and shows that tell Black stories
Website: kweli.tv
Instagram: @kwelitv
Mars Reel
Founders: Brandon and Bradley Deyo
Headquarters: Los Angeles
Description: media outlet for high school and youth sports
Website: marsreel.com
Instagram: @marsreel
Urban One Inc
Founder: Catherine Hughes
Headquarters: Silver Spring, Maryland
Description: public media firm focused on telling black stories
Website: urban1.com
Instagram: @tvonetv
Watch The Yard
Founder: Jonathan Rabb
Description: news site for Black college students involved in historically Black fraternities and sororities
Website: watchtheyard.com
Instagram: @watchtheyard
AptDeco
Founders: Kalam Dennis, Reham Fagiri
Headquarters: New York City
Description: used furniture marketplace
Website: aptdeco.com
Instagram: @aptdeco
Cee Cee's Closet NYC
Founders: Chioma and Uchenna Ngwudo
Headquarters: New York City
Description: headwraps and other West African accessories
Website: ceeceesclosetnyc.com/
Instagram: @ceeceesclosetnyc
Eso Won Books
Founders: James Fugate, Thomas Hamilton
Headquarters: Los Angeles
Description: bookstore with a large selection of books on African-American history
Website: esowonbookstore.com
Instagram: @esowonbooks
For Keeps Books
Founder: Rosa Duffy
Headquarters: Atlanta
Description: bookstore that carries classic and rare Black literature
Website: forkeepsbooks.com
Instagram: @forkeepsbooks
Jungalow
Founder: Justina Blakeney
Headquarters: Los Angeles
Description: online retailer of home decor, gifts, apparel
Website: jungalow.com
Instagram: @thejungalow
The Lit. Bar
Founder: Noëlle Santos
Location: New York City
Description: bookstore and bar
Website: thelitbar.com
Instagram: @thelitbar
Love Notes Fragrances
Founder: Nya Kam
Headquarters: New York City
Description: scented soy candles
Website: lovenotesfragrances.com
Instagram: @lovenotesllc
Pro Standard
Founder: Mike Harris
Headquarters: New York City
Description: sports apparel
Website: teamprostandard.com/
Instagram: @prostandard
SustainAble Home Goods
Founder: LaToya Tucciarone
Headquarters: Atlanta
Description: fair trade home decor
Website: yoursustainablehome.com
Instagram: @sustainablehomegoods
Thrilling
Founder: Shilla Kim-Parker
Headquarters: Los Angeles
Description: online marketplace for vintage and second-hand items
Website: shopthrilling.com
Instagram: @shopthrilling
4D Healthware
Founder: Star Cunningham
Headquarters: Chicago
Description: virtual health management for patients
Website: www.4dhealthware.com
Twitter: @4DHealthware
BLK + GRN
Founder: Kristian Henderson
Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
Description: marketplace for natural beauty and wellness products made by black artisans and entrepreneurs
Website: blkgrn.com
Instagram: @blkandgrn
Hammer & Nails
Founder: Michael Elliott
Headquarters: Folsom, California
Description: grooming shop for men
Website: hammerandnailsgrooming.com
Instagram: @hammerandnailsgrooming
The Honey Pot
Founder: Beatrice Dixon
Headquarters: Atlanta
Description: natural feminine care products
Website: thehoneypot.co
Instagram: @thehoneypotco
Shine
Founders: Marah Lidey, Naomi Hirabayashi
Headquarters: New York City
Description: self-care app for people with anxiety and depression
Website: join.shinetext.com
Instagram: @shinetext
Vibrant Health
Owners: Ted and Paige Parker
Headquarters: Shelton, Connecticut
Description: nutritional supplements
Website: vibranthealth.com
Instagram: @vibranthealth
African Ancestry
Founders: Rick Kittles, Gina Paige
Headquarters: Washington, DC
Description: genetic ancestry tracing for people of African descent
Website: africanancestry.com
Instagram: @africanancestry
Diversant
Founder: John Goullet
Headquarters: Red Bank, New Jersey
Description: IT staffing company
Website: www.diversant.com
Instagram: @diversant_llc
Dollaride
Founder: Sulaiman "Su" Sanni
Headquarters: Brooklyn, New York
Description: ride-sharing for underserved communities
Website: dollaride.com
Instagram: @dollaride
RML Automotive
Founders: Robert L. Johnson, Mack McLarty, Steve Landers
Headquarters: Dallas and Little Rock, Arkansas
Desciption: car dealerships selling Ford, GMC, Honda, Suburu, Jeep and other brands
Website: rmlauto.com