Supporting Black-owned businesses is a key step you can take to dismantle the white-washed world we live in. While bigger brands may be cheaper, supporting them further establishes a system that places Black-owned businesses on the margins. Additionally, big brands, such as Dolls Kill and Missguided, have repeatedly appropriated POC culture and have used the #BLM movement as an opportunity for brand publicity. It’s so easy to switch to smaller and more local Black-owned brands and businesses, and the impact of doing so is significant. Black-owned indie businesses are especially in need of support right now, with the COVID-19 pandemic raging on. So, here are a few businesses to check out:

Fashion Brands

1. Kiwi and Yam (@kiwiandyam) is a clothing brand that aims to embody a multicultural Britain and youth rebellion through its streetwear. Their clothing is heavily influenced by pop culture as well as West Africa, as seen by their use of uniquely printed fabrics.

2. Yangá (@yangafashion) takes the colour and energy of Lagos and intersects it with the bustle of London, providing iconic and beautiful pieces of clothing. They have everything you need, from eye-catching trousers to vibrant co-ord sets. All their clothes are made ethically in Nigeria!

3. Nubian Skin (@nubianskin) provides lingerie for all skin colours, providing a range of essentials tailored specifically for women of colour. Their founder was inspired by icons such as Eunice W. Johnson and Iman to provide women of colour better options in a field of fashion that is usually only catered to white women.

4. Lait de Coco (@laitdecocostudio) is an online store that provides both vintage and handmade pieces. They have weekly Instagram sales, so do go give them a follow for some great deals! They cite sustainability as their main focus, which is always a plus!  

5. Liquorice Clothing (@liquoriceclothing) is an indie brand run from London that specialises in made-to-order hand painted pieces. They pride themselves in being sustainable and providing free U.K. delivery. Their range of outfits are perfect for the summer sun.

Beauty Brands

If there is anything the current news cycle is making clear, it is that the beauty world is rife with racism. Brand owners such as Jeffree Starr are being exposed for racist behaviour, and we are absolutely not having that. Instead, I offer you five black-owned beauty brands which are not only amazing in terms of product range and inclusivity, but also are 100% cruelty-free!

1. MDMFlow (@mdmflow) was started by cosmetic scientist Flow at the age of 22. MDMFlow has a wide range of lipsticks, liquid lips and eye products that are inspired by the 90s and 00s. They also provide free world-wide shipping. That’s unreal.

2. UOMA Beauty (@uomabeauty) is known for its award-winning and inclusive 51 shade range foundation as well as its campaign to re-write the rules of inclusivity and diversity within the beauty world.

3. Boucléme (@boucleme) is for all my fellow curly-haired gals out there! Boucléme is a black-owned brand that specialises in all things wavy, kinky, and curly. Their range of products is not only eco-friendly, but also is sulphate, silicone, AND paraben-free – a combination we all know is hard to find.

4. Liha Beauty (@lihabeauty) was started by two friends Liha and Abi who wanted to create beauty products that mixed their African heritage with their British identity.

5. Dizziak (@dizziaklondon) prides itself in providing hydrating hair care for all hair types, no exclusions or exceptions. This multi-culturally minded brand is well known for its deep conditioner and hydrating wash, which are filled with ingredients like argan oil, shea butter, and aloe vera.

Bookstores

As an Asian woman, representation in books is not something I’ve really had the chance to experience. White authors write white characters best, and I remember always wishing I was white when I was younger, because it meant I could experience adventure too. I learned way too late in life that there is actually such a wide range of literature written by BIPOC authors with BIPOC protagonists. Here are a few black-owned U.K. based bookstores (with both brick and mortar and online shops) that focus on providing you well-rounded and diverse reads:

1. Pepukayi Books (@peppayourmind) is based in Tottenham and is run by African Liberation activist Elder Pepukayi. This bookstore specialises in African focused books and African culture in the U.K.

2. No Ordinary Bookshop (@noordinarybookshop) is an online store run by Angel Miller, a mother and grandmother who has a passion for providing her children with books that represent them properly. Her store is dedicated to providing books with a wide variety of representation so that children can read into a world that looks like theirs.

3. Round Table Books is an inclusion-led bookstore that has a spectacular variety of resources and a beautifully designed website (I am a sucker for fabulous web design). What started off as an inclusive pop-up bookstore soon became a permanent fixture in Brixton, London. They organise events and have a handpicked selection of book recommendations each month and supply books for every kind of reader. 

4. Sevenoaks Bookshop (@sevenoaksbookshop) is an independent bookseller that first set up shop in 1948. They have various signed editions, cute canvas tote bags, and a wide range of events catered to every kind of reader there is. Their physical shop in Kent recently reopened following the COVID-19 pandemic on the 22nd of June, and they run a fully functioning online site.

5. New Beacon Books (@newbeaconbooks) is a specialist bookstore in African and Caribbean literature based in London. They were the U.K.’s first black publisher, specialist bookstore, and international book distributor. While their physical store remains closed until July, their online site is still fully functioning and serves a plethora of books, from non-fiction reads to works for children.

Seen at all the recommendations I’ve provided and still want more? A great source to check out is Black Owned Everything (@black.owned.everything)! They feature many black-owned businesses on their Instagram feed every day, from clothing brands to juice companies.

Tessa Rodrigues is a fourth year student at the University of Edinburgh studying English Literature.