I hope by now we’ve all learned the importance of supporting Black-owned and founded businesses and brands. Buying Black helps to close the racial wealth gap, strengthens local economies, celebrates and honors Black culture, and creates jobs. Not to mention, representation matters. And by seeing other Black people in leadership positions, it gives hope to our future generation.

In the spirit of promoting buying Black, I’ve put together a round up of my favorite Black-owned and founded brands in hopes that it will inspire you to try something new this year. Black-owned products are not just for Black people, so let’s support them regardless of race or ethnicity.

As per usual, this post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you click through and purchase through these links. Each image below is clickable and shoppable, making it easy for you to explore and support these Black-owned businesses. Plus, affiliate links help keep this little blog of mine running. I appreciate your support!

Haircare Products

As a curly girl, it’s easiest for me to start with haircare, since I’ve tried so many different products over the years. Black-owned, founded, and/or managed brands tend to work best for my 3c hair.

While I may not have experience with the full line, I have tried each of the brands represented below and feel good about recommending them to others.

More natural products free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates are important to me. Therefore, the brands featured below are formulated without those harmful chemicals as well. However, formulas can change, so always double check the ingredients list if natural products are also important to you.

Pattern Beauty

Pattern Beauty is owned by Tracee Ellis Ross, as seen on black-ish. She, as you may know, is also Diana Ross’ daughter.

She created a line of curly haircare products, which offers a range of shampoos, conditioners, styling products, and styling aids. So there is likely to be something that meets your needs. Pattern is available at Ulta and Sephora, along with Ulta at Target.

Briogeo

Briogeo is owned by Nancy Twine, who left a career in finance to start a natural haircare line inspired by her grandmother’s recipes.

Not just for curly girls, Briogeo makes a range of haircare products to suit all hair types. There is a body cream included in this line as well. You can also find this brand at Ulta or Sephora.

TGIN (Thank God It’s Natural)

TGIN was owned by Chris-Tia Donaldson, who unfortunately passed away in November 2021 after a long battle with breast cancer, according to Yahoo.

This hair and skin care line is available at several retailers, such as Ulta, Walmart, and Whole Foods. I have experience with the Honey Curls Custard and Honey Hair Mask, however, there are several other products available. Including a smoothing line and repair line.

Swurly Co.

Swurly Co. is a black- and woman-owned business right here in Madison, WI, owned by Dione Laufenberg. Swurly Co. offers silk sleep bonnets, pillowcases, masks, etc. Silk is great for your hair and skin, and can prevent frizz and flyaways. I own the silk lined wool beenie. Which is great for protecting my style and not flattening my curls in the middle of harsh Wisconsin winters.

You can shop Swurly products online, or find them in local shops throughout the Madison area.

Bath & Body

Alaffia

Alaffia is a clean, green, and fair trade bath and body brand owned by Olowo-n’djo Tchala who grew up in Togo, West Africa. Shea butter is a well-known beauty secret. He created natural bath and body products using shea butter and coconut for everybody in the family to enjoy. From bubble bath, to body wash, to 3-in-1 products, Alaffia has your natural body care needs covered.

You can find this line at Whole Foods as well, which vets their products to ensure they meet certain ingredient standards. We have used several products from this brand in the past, and currently have the leave-in conditioner (yes, they have hair products too!)on hand in our house.

Perfect Imperfections 608 LLC

Perfect Imperfections 608 is another locally-, black-, and woman-owned business in Madison, WI. Owned by Jasmine Banks, Perfect Imperfections offers handcrafted body care and home products, such as soaps, body butters, lip balm, sugar scrub, soy candles and more! Shop online, or find her at many of the vendor events throughout Madison.

Jasmine was also a Brava Magazine Woman to Watch in 2021!

Feminine Hygiene

The Honey Pot

You may remember seeing The Honey Pot and it’s founder/owner, Beatrice Dixon, featured in Target ads last year. She created healthier, plant-based, feminine hygiene products such as menstrual cups, pads, tampons, and more. Most products come in both herbal and non-herbal versions, the difference being that the herbal versions are made with essential oils and have both a pleasant lavender smell, and a bit of a tingle.

This has been my go-to line for pads since I first became aware of The Honey Pot back in 2020. The pads are the only things I have tried thus far. However, they offer pre-pregnancy, postpartum, and incontinence products as well. And even bath bombs!

Beauty Products

Fenty Beauty

I haven’t actually tried this line myself yet, but my BFF swears by it and says it’s the only makeup she’ll ever buy. Fenty Beauty is owned by powerhouse Rihanna and features makeup and skincare products with a wide range of color choices. Sold exclusively at Sephora (and on Fenty’s website), Fenty skincare products have earned the Clean Beauty seal, for being free of the same harmful chemicals I mentioned before.

It’s been on my list to try for awhile now, so I’ll be placing my own Fenty order shortly! Right now you can use the code FREESHIP to get free shipping on your Sephora order as well.

People of Color

People of Color is owned by Jacqueline Carrington, who created this cruelty-free, non-toxic, and vegan nail polish brand specifically to compliment diverse skin tones. This line of polish is 10-free, which means it is free of the 10 most common chemical toxins found in nail polishes, such as formaldehyde. I originally found this at Kohl’s as part of their Curated by Kohl’s collection. However, you can buy it online.

Marie Hunter Beauty

I haven’t yet experienced Marie Hunter Beauty, another Madison-based, woman- and black-owned business, but it’s garnered national attention! Owned by KéNisha Ruff, Marie Hunter, is part of the Female Founder Collective, and sells clean beauty products, such as bold lip color, blush, skin, and haircare, along with candles and small leather goods.

You can buy Marie Hunter online, or shop in-store, which is located in the same building as Smart Dental on Madison’s east side. According to Google, appointments are required: 608-571-2433.

Food/Wine

Black Girl Magic Wines

As a reminder, you must be 21 or older to consume alcohol in the United States. This information is not intended for anyone under 21 years of age.

The McBride Sisters, Andrea and Robin, are the force behind Black Girl Magic wines, along with McBride Sisters wines, including SHE CAN Rose. The McBride Sisters Collection is the largest Black-owned wine company in the country. Black Girl Magic and SHE CAN are tributes to black women and all that we can accomplish. And were designed to be enjoyed by all (who are of legal drinking age of course!)

I snagged a bottle from my local Target. But you can also get them from Total Wine & More, or online. Though wine is not eligible for shipping in Wisconsin through their web site (you can buy online and pick up in store however).

BLK & Bold Coffee

BLK & Bold Coffee is owned by childhood friends, Rod Johnson and Pernell Cezar, and based out of Des Moines, Iowa. According to CNBC, it is the first nationally distributed Black-owned coffee brand in the United States. If you are a coffee lover, definitely give this brand a try! It’s available at Target stores, Hy-Vee, Walgreens, and many more retailers, as well as online.

Ellis Isle Tea

Lastly, is Ellis Isle Tea, created and owned by Nailah Ellis, and based out of Detroit, MI. These all-natural Jamaican teas are based on an old family recipe and come in three delicious varieties, sweetened, unsweetened, and Wet Sugah, which is made with cane juice. Find them in-stores and online at Target!

This is not designed to be an extensive list, as there are many more Black-owned brands on the market. However, it can help get you started if you are looking to support more Black-owned businesses and brands in the new year and beyond.

Happy shopping!