Support Black Communities
Hey Y'all,
As we celebrate Black History Month, it's important to not only reflect on the rich history and achievements of the (our) Black community but also to actively contribute to its present and future success.
One impactful way to do so, all year round, is by spending your money at Black-owned businesses.
In this blog, we'll learn why it's important to support Black-owned businesses and highlight some noteworthy ventures that deserve recognition.
Historically, Black communities have encountered an overabundance of obstacles regarding business ventures.
Think the opposite of economic empowerment: systemic barriers to economic advancement, limited access to capital, extremely discriminatory lending practices, racial biases, and the list goes on and on.
However, when you willfully and actively support black businesses, you're addressing those disparities and inequalities in your own unique manner.
Tell me, how does that feel? Knowing that you've pitched in to create a more equitable society.
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The Economic Impact of Supporting Black-Owned Businesses
Job Creation
- Black entrepreneurs often prioritize hiring folks from within the communities, which bolsters local economic growth and reduces unemployment rates. By supporting these businesses, you are indirectly contributing to job creation and community development. 💗💛💚
Economic Empowerment and Wealth Redistribution
- Supporting Black businesses helps address historical economic disparities by redistributing wealth within the Black community. This, in turn, contributes to closing the wealth gap that has persisted for many generations. 💗💛💚
Community Development
- Black businesses provide essential goods and services that the community needs, AND those businesses turn around an invest in the neighborhoods. So, supporting these businesses could help revitalize the neighborhoods and communities. Note, I said revitalize, not gentrify!💗💛💚
Entrepreneurial Spirit
- Celebrating and supporting Black businesses also encourages an entrepreneurial spirit within the Black community. This inspires future generations to pursue their dreams and potentially participate in business landscapes in the future. 💗💛💚
Representation and Diversity
- It goes without saying that these businesses make every effort to promote diversity and representation in the marketplace. By supporting them, you help to amplify the voices and perspectives of Black entrepreneurs and encourage greater inclusivity in business ownership and leadership. 💗💛💚
Cultural Preservation
- And lastly, Black businesses often celebrate and preserve our cultural heritage with our products, services, and practices. By supporting Black-owned businesses you're helping to promote that cultural APPRECIATION and preservation. 💗💛💚
Basically, Your Support is An Act of Solidarity.
It's your personal way of helping to redistribute economic opportunities and resources.
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Black-Owned Businesses In The Twin Cities
These folks are known for their exceptional products and services and are also committed to prioritizing inclusivity, diversity and social responsibility:
Food and Restaurants
- Soul Bowl, offers a new way to do soul food. The North Loop spot is perfect for an intimate weekend late lunch, and I really dig their customizable bowls.
- Golden Thyme Coffee & Cafe, is a long-standing gathering space in Saint Paul. They have bagels, cakes, and specialty drinks named after favorite jazz musicians like Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington. It's a nice switch up from the usually crowded coffee shops of St. Paul, and jazz sits better with me on a snowy day than pop music.
- Taste of Rondo specializes in heart-warming soul food and the meals here feel like old family recipes. This place is a vibe. Many of my non-black friends join me here for Sunday lunches. Chill with your besties and fur-babies and sip mimosas on their spacious patio while the weather permits.
Specialty
- Wyld Chyldz Hair Studio. The St. Paul studio does natural hair styling, retwist and styles, and more. I've ran into many folks around St. Paul with a-maz-ing styles and they recommend Wyld Chyldz. I haven't been yet, but I know where I'm going when I want a fresh updo!
- Sheer Treasures, offers literally everything! What are you searching for? Health beauty products, sage and herbs, essential oils, body butter, aromatherapy, tarot cards, healing stones and crystals? And there's so much more. Their website is quite extensive so check that out as well!
Health and Fitness
- 612Jungle is a black woman-owned yoga studio in Minneapolis and offers a variety of yoga styles and classes, from hip hop yoga to more traditional styles. Hip hop and R&B music is always playing, and all are welcome! Affordable classes!
- JT's Fitness offers fully private lessons from former NFL player Jim F. Thomas, or JT. With 30 years of fitness experience, he specializes in strength conditioning, fitness, yoga, and massage. I haven't been to him personally, but I'm uplifting my brotha anyways!
- Roots Community Birth Center helps mothers through pregnancy, natural childbirth, and the start of their postpartum life. Read how a U of M professor is studying the success of the birth center in an attempt to understand some of the starkest racial disparities in health care.
Arts
- Mosaic on a Stick is a Black and Indigenous-owned community art studio in St. Paul prioritizing accessibility to art and creative expression.
- Black Garnet Books was started by Dionne Sims after the uprising in Minneapolis in the summer of 2020, featuring contemporary literature by BIPOC. The store is opening its first-ever physical location in St. Paul's Midway neighborhood in fall 2022. Book lovers and worms unite! You won't be disappointed!
- Penumbra Theater was started by Artistic Director Lou Bellamy to make space for African-American voices in our renowned theater scene. It has evolved into a wonderful way to celebrate the Twin Cities’ diversity through the arts. After a pandemic-related hiatus, they have returned to the stage and are also hosting a Let's Talk series to tackle conversations around social justice, equity, and the arts.
Professional Services
- Social Impact Strategies Group owned and operated by BIPOC, women, and queer people, SISG provides solutions to amplify racial and social equity goals. Services include organized audits, diversity equity inclusion implementation, and social return on investment strategy development, among others.
- Minnesota Association of Black Lawyers works to address the legal issues that affect Minnesota’s Black communities, to advance equity, and to support the professional development of Black lawyers, judges, and law students in the state.
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So, for those of you that only celebrate Valentines in February, try something novel in 2024. This year, this Black History Month, celebrate the achievements and resilience of the Black community by actively supporting some local Black businesses.
As we reflect on the past, let's also attempt to shape a future where Black businesses can thrive and leave a positive impact on the local and global business landscape.
These small, yet purposeful acts can make notable economic impacts for entrepreneurs, neighborhoods, and communities.
EM
For a more expansive list of local Black-owned business check out the link below.
Where to Support Black-Owned Businesses in the Twin Cities - Mpls.St.Paul Magazine (mspmag.com)
Thumbs-up EM! Thanks for the encouragement.
ReplyDeleteValentine's Day is fun and all, but in my opinion has run its course. It's simply a bland campaign to persuade us to consume/spend. I figure if folks are itching to part with their green-backs at least contribute to Black-Owned Businesses! Redistribute some wealth during Black History month.
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