10 Easy Ways to Support Black Businesses

AARI

credit: Christina

Whether a black owned business is small or large, it’s so important to uplift entrepreneurs. Pouring into your own community will cyclically come back to you. Plus, in a time of turmoil, it is important to treat your neighbors the way you would want to be treated. So: Support! Support! Support! Here are 10 easy ways to get in formation:

1. Faith + Works

   My faith is the most important factor in my life. So if you’re like me, you know there’s nothing wrong with adding black businesses into your prayers. Asking God for the health and growth of your favorite black owned business is a HUGE step. And since faith, without works is dead, your prayers PLUS your actions can help boost black businesses. 

2. Tag! You’re it!

   Your voice and your platform is powerful! Take a picture in front of a black owned business and tag them. By boosting and sharing the business, you help them to get more followers and potential customers.

3. Bring your friends
   While keeping social distancing in mind, choose a neighborhood black owned business and go on a field trip with your friends to buy from the business. 

4. Talk to management/ the owner

   Getting to know the owners of your local black owned businesses can really go the extra mile. Even more, extend a helping hand. Ask them if there’s anything you can do to support them, in addition to being a customer. They may have ideas of how you can network with them.

5. Find a thread

   There are so many threads on twitter where you can post about black-owned businesses. Do your research and find a black owned business that you like, or that you already know of, and @ mention those businesses in the threads. 

6. Spread the word
   If you have a favorite business that is black owned, spread the word about it! Even yet, if your favorite business shut down and is in the process of opening up, let others know. Chances are other people have been waiting for the same business to reopen and by word of mouth, you can help more people flock to the reopening.

7. Order online

   If your favorite black owned business has opened up the airwaves of e-commerce, support them! Even if its a small purchase, or posting a link of an item on your social media - any and everything goes a long way. 

8. Drop that business card!

   Go to your favorite black owned business and ask for some business cards or menus to spread. Then, strategically place their cards or menus in places where you KNOW people will see them. Like in the laundromat or  in the shopping cart at the supermarket. The idea is to get people to be thinking about these businesses, even if they don’t pick up the business card or the menu.

9. Follow the art

   There are so many brilliant black artists, poets, painters, and designers. Take some time to curate your own list of favorite black artists. Follow their pages. Share their work. And buy their pieces (if they are for sale). 

10. Make it last a lifetime!

    Consistency is key. Make your favorite black owned business as important and as frequent as you shop at places like Amazon, Target, and Walmart. If you make it a habit that every time you shop at Amazon you also pick up something from your favorite black owned business, you can support everything you like all in one shopping trip.