February is Black History Month, and I wanted to use this time to learn more about African American heritage and traditions! In my research, I saw a lack of Black representation in a majority of companies in the United States and around the world. This is why I want to dedicate this article to all of the amazing ethical and sustainable businesses that are Black-owned. Let’s use this month to celebrate all of their achievements and highlight the very important roles that these businesses play in the lifestyle, home, fashion, and beauty industries!
One of the companies that I was so excited to learn about was A.Au. The brand offers thoughtfully handcrafted pieces that are made by skilled ateliers in Nigeria. The best part – A.Au aims to empower women to embrace their history, culture, and identity by allocating 10% of sales towards education for Abua youths.
Another black-owned company that I admired was msichana. The brand focuses on beautifully bold clothing made by women artisans earning fair wages. I love how msichana combines their efforts to create connections and cultural experiences, empower women through fair wages and education, and reduce their carbon footprint by ethically making their clothing.
I’m also a big fan of the vibrant home goods produced by Bolé Road Textiles. Their selection of products includes pillows, towels, rugs, curtains, wall hangings, and table linens. All of Bolé Road textiles are handwoven in Ethiopia, and I love how their owner, Hana Getachew, is using her brand to support other small women-owned businesses in Ethiopia.
There are so many more amazing Black-owned businesses that offer a wide array of sustainable and ethical products. Check out these brands (and more) to see how you can make a difference in the community by supporting some of these diverse businesses! Check out a list here!