Black-Owned Small Businesses to Online Shop At (When You’re Done Protesting)

By Ally Bolender
Assistant Web Content Manager

In this time of uncertainty and fear, there is also a remarkable amount of resilience, compassion and determination. 

If you are looking to show your support to the black community (financially speaking), here are some black-owned small-businesses with original products to purchase from. These are a few of the online shops I have been browsing recently, all of which spread across the nation. Hopefully you too can find something unique!

Resin By Sky Creations

Shop owner Skyler Brown creates and sells personalized keychains, earrings and other small resin products from her Etsy and Instagram account (@_relientsky). This month, she will be donating all profits to the Black Lives Matter protest bail fund.

Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery

Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery (@semicolonchi) is Chicago’s only black woman-owned bookstore. If you ever find yourself in Chicago, the space is absolutely beautiful and there are so many interesting books to browse. However, if you’re looking to online shop, check out their website for categories of books for sale spanning from “so good you can’t put it down,” “stay woke,” and “hood classics.” 

The Belle Collection Cosmetics

Based in Queens, New York, The Belle Collection Cosmetics sells 100% cruelty-free mink lashes, lash oils and tools. 21-year-old entrepreneur Tyler Simone (@_tylersimone) founded The Belle Collection (@thebellecollectionlashes) out of her passion for beauty and business. The lashes that Simone sells are beautiful and there are options for everyone and every occasion.

Paint Kits To-Go 

Based in Houston, Texas, Paint Kits To-Go is a mother daughter business offering paint kits at home. Paint Kits To-Go was created after COVID-19 forced their business, Center Stage Gallery (a guided painting experience) to close. Need a new date night idea or something to entertain the kids? This business will ship adorable painting kits to you!

Lilyanna Elizabeth Cosmetics 

Serums, oils, chakra candles, sugar scrubs, soap bars, cuticle oil all with the most gorgeous presentation I have EVER seen in a skin care product— no joke. I am deciding between what scrub to buy as I write this. All the products are handmade, cruelty free and ship the same day from Arizona.

If you want bath and body care, spoil yourself and shop here. But don’t take my word for it, follow Lilyanna Elizabeth Cosmetics on Instagram (@lilyanna_elizabeth_cosmetics) to see just how beautiful these products really are. 

The Handmade and Co.

The Handmade and Co. (@thehandmadeandco) is a small macrame and terrarium business that sells handmade décor, jewelry, bags, pants hangers, keychains and more. The products are nothing short of excellent quality and beauty. The shop owner even creates designs for wedding and event backdrops. You can see the hard work and originality in every product— so give this page some love!

Lips by Diamond

If you are looking for the perfect lip products, look no further. Lips by Diamond (@lips.by.diamond) is a small, black-woman owned business that sells 100% vegan and cruelty free lip products. The products are reasonably priced and come in a multitude of collections, colors and consistencies, and the reviews are overwhelmingly positive.

Girl Goodies

Started Iva Elliot (@iva_of_girlgoodies), this Chicago-based service and shop (@girlgoodiesmix) offers closet cleanings, personal shopping and modern clothing with vintage twists. Girl Goodies also has an excellent blog that features interviews and event coverings in the area. Elliot graduated with a masters degree in social work before turning to her real passion— fashion. 

Koree’s Kare

Started by Jaylah Koreewebb (@jaylahkoree), Koree’s Kare (@koreeskare) is an organic, vegan, cruelty-free skin care brand that is handcrafted in small batches and features zero waste packaging (could it get any better?) The premise of the business is that Koree’s Kare creates products that are “food for the skin,” containing zero harmful additives, chemicals and synthetic fragrances. Koree’s Kare even has a masculine scent collection— a perfect Father’s Day gift. 

BEN ONI Jewelry  

BEN ONI Jewelry (@benonijewelry) is a high-end jewelry brand offering gorgeous and unique pieces for men and women. Their site is currently down to promote shoppers to donate to Black Lives Matter causes instead, but look at their Instagram page for incredible designs that will be available soon. If you’re looking for a statement piece with a long lifetime, this brand is the way to go.

Featured image by Ally Bolender.